GIVINGguide to
We create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose.
A Community of Support
Founded in 1916 as a school where children are respected, challenged and empowered, Country School today celebrates our strong tradition of academic excellence in an environment where families are encouraged to play an active role in the school community.
NCCS parents share the responsibilities of meeting the school’s educational goals and ensuring a soundly governed and financially healthy institution by actively participating in school life and providing financial support beyond tuition.
Every family has something to give. Parent participation offers myriad opportunities for connection and provides valuable support to school programs while modeling for our children the school’s ideals of lifelong learning and giving back. There is truly a role for everyone in this warm and vibrant community where each contribution is valued and appreciated.
We are deeply grateful for friends who have made Country School their philanthropic priority. We celebrate those who have given so generously, and we thank, in abundance, those who continue to help to ensure that NCCS’s future remains bright.
Giving Opportunities
Country School, as are most independent schools, is self-supported. Our sole sources of income are tuition, charitable giving, income from invested reserves, and proceeds from special activities and events.
Choosing to send your child to an independent school is a financial investment. The cost of tuition can be a stretch. Twenty-three percent of families receive some form of tuition assistance. And at independent schools like NCCS, tuition does not cover the full cost of educating each child.
Your Gift
Endowment Income for Operating Support
The generosity of our families and community members helps bridge the gap to balance the budget and provide for the future.Tuition & Fees
What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is a crucial annual fundraising campaign conducted yearly between July 1 to June 30 to raise vital financial support from community members. Annual Fund donations are generally unrestricted and may be used wherever the need is greatest in the fiscal year in which they are received. These funds help bridge the gap between tuition revenue and the actual cost of providing a high-quality education for today’s students, the true beneficiaries of an Annual Fund gift.
We ask each family to participate by making a gift at the level that feels right for them. When you give to the Annual Fund, you give to the people, the programs, and the place! And, unlike tuition, gifts to the Annual Fund are fully tax-deductible. Country
Giving Circles
Alumni Leadership Giving Circles
Leadership Circle $1,000 +* Alumni Friends Circle ...............................................$500 +* Young Alumni Circle (15th Reunion & younger)
$100 +* * Donors at these levels are Leadership Donors.
School Circle ........................................ $50,000 +* President’s Circle............................... $35,000–$49,999 * Head’s Circle ....................................... $25,000–$34,999 * Grace House Circle $15,000–$24,999 * Ponus Ridge Circle ............................ $10,000–$14,999 * Frogtown Circle ...................................... $7,500–$9,999 * Maple Circle ............................................. $5,000–$7,499 Blue and White Circle $2,500–$4,999 Community Circle ................................... $1,000–$2,499 Friends’ Circle .................................................Up to $999 Alumni
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Why Isn’t Tuition Enough?
If tuition increased to cover the full cost of educating each student, many current families would not be able to afford a Country School education. The Annual Fund allows us to maintain a socio-economically diverse student body, a world-class faculty, small class sizes, and exceptional programs in all facets of school life, from academics to the arts and athletics. The Board of Trustees is committed to keeping tuition as affordable as possible. Increasing income through tax-deductible gifts to the Annual Fund is one way of accomplishing this goal.
The Annual Fund helps to address the difference between tuition revenue and the actual cost of operating the school. This is “The Gap.” Your tax-deductible donations help to cover this gap of approximately $7,500 per student. Gifts allow NCCS to continue to provide a first-rate education for students while keeping tuition increases modest.
How Much Should I Give?
Your contribution to the Annual Fund will directly enhance your child’s education, and while you are a parent here, we ask that you consider putting the Annual Fund at the top of your giving list. Because giving is such a personal decision, we encourage each family to give to the best of their ability. For some families, that amount is $100, for others, it is $50,000 or more.
We are grateful for all contributions and strive for 100% participation from all of our families.
What Do Annual Fund Dollars Support?
Annual Fund gifts help to make the NCCS experience possible for our students by supporting our dedicated teachers, our engaging curriculum, tuition assistance, educational technology and equipment, arts and athletics at all grade levels, sustainability initiatives, and facility maintenance.
The average gift from school families is $4,000.
While the Annual Fund is the cornerstone of all Country School fundraising initiatives, voluntary support comes from a few different areas, including:
Capital Campaigns Income from the School’s Endowment
Annual Fund
Parents’ Association Fundraisers
Multi-Year & Planned Gifts
What is a Campaign?
Planned Gifts
Campaigns are targeted fundraising efforts over a specific period of time. Campaigns help fund projects above and beyond the operating budget, such as the construction of new facilities, renovations of existing space, and targeted growth of the Endowment. Campaign gifts are often multi-year commitments, and may be paid over three to five years. Gifts to a campaign are considered additional to the ongoing support of the Annual Fund, which is always the school’s top giving priority.
The Annual Fund supports the everyday operations of the school program, and campaigns support specific new initiatives or projects that require incremental funding to bring to fruition.
What is the Endowment?
Our Endowment is a significant financial asset or investment portfolio that provides ongoing financial support, ensuring our long-term stability and enhancing our ability to fulfill our mission.
Currently, our endowment consists of over fifty funds supporting a range of school programs and needs. New endowed funds may be established with a gift of $100,000 or more. Gifts to the endowment can be structured over time as multi-year pledges and may be directed to new or existing funds in accordance with donor interests and school priorities.
Endowed funds are long-term investments in our school, our community, and our future. We actively strive to grow our endowment by encouraging new donations, engaging in prudent investment strategies, and fostering strong relationships with community members and donors.
Country School currently draws four percent each year to use for operating expenses that support each fund’s intended purpose. In doing so, we ensure that we spend appropriately on today’s needs while also saving for the future.
A robust endowment can help NCCS better withstand economic fluctuations, changes in enrollment, and unforeseen financial challenges. It provides a cushion that allows us to maintain programs and services even during difficult times and enables school leadership to dream big and launch new initiatives.
Country School is grateful to the many donors who have generously established endowed funds honoring faculty, family, and alumni and funds dedicated to supporting specific educational programs.
What is Planned Giving?
In 1996, the Board of Trustees established the Welles Society, named after the school’s first Headmaster, Henry H. Welles, to recognize and honor those who have made special provisions in their estate plans to support the school.
Planned gifts are often deferred and might include establishing a trust or annuity, giving stock, real estate, or life insurance, or naming the school as a beneficiary in your will or pension plan. This form of giving can offer donors significant tax and income benefits while ensuring a vibrant future for NCCS.
The success of these fundraising initiatives is crucial for the financial sustainability and overall well-being of Country School. We cannot do it without you, and thank you for your partnership.
Ways to Give
• Check: Please make your checks payable to New Canaan Country School and send them to: New Canaan Country School
635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, CT 06840
• Credit Card: You may charge your gift to MasterCard, Visa, AmEx or Discover on our secure website www.countryschool.net/give
• Wire Transfers: To electronically transfer funds, please contact Advancement for wire instructions.
• Securities: If you donate securities, you may be able to eliminate capital gains tax and still earn a tax deduction. Please contact Advancement for stock transfer instructions.
• Donor-Advised Fund: NCCS gladly accepts gifts from Donor Advised Funds and family foundations. Visit our website for a link, or contact Advancement for more information.
• Corporate Matching Gifts: If your employer matches donations made to educational institutions, your gift can be increased at no additional cost to you. Please check our online matching gift database.
• Planned Giving: Making a bequest to NCCS involves no immediate loss of capital or income and may provide tax benefits to one’s heirs. To learn more, please visit the Planned Giving pages on our website. Donors are advised to consult with their own legal, tax, and estate planning professionals when considering gifts other than cash.
Ryan Smith Senior Director of Advancement (203) 801-5633
rsmith@countryschool.net
Diane Briggs Associate Director of Advancement (203) 801-5619
dbriggs@countryschool.net
Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 Director of Major Gifts & Alumni Affairs (203) 801-5687
hcasella@countryschool.net
Brooke Cavanaugh Reed ’01 Advancement & Alumni Associate (203) 801-5637
breed@countryschool.net
Whether you are considering your first NCCS gift or one among many over the years, we are here to help you find ways to give that fit you best. We look forward to speaking with you!
to make a gift today! 635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, CT 06840 (203) 801-5600 www.countryschool.net/give Our Advancement Team
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