Give and Get Involved
This guide tells you everything you need to know about philanthropy and family participation at Nichols School.
For 133 years, Nichols School has prepared students for the work of life by providing an education that is not just great, but exceptional. Graduates of Nichols head off to college with the skills they need to succeed and make a difference in the world.
Last year, your generous contributions to the NICHOLS FUND supported the following:
• Two Upper School Plays and One Middle School Musical
• Orientation Trips for every student
• Ongoing updates to the Buyers Family Arena
• Professional Development opportunities for 40+ faculty and staff
• New AP framework in the Middle School
• Transportation for athletics
• An award-winning robotics team
At Nichols we take pride in the culture of philanthropy that has been built upon for more than a century. The cost of tuition does not cover the full cost of a Nichols education. Additionally, as with all independent schools, Nichols does not receive local, state, or federal funding, and relies on the generosity of its community to sustain it. While contributions vary, we expect that each family makes an effort to support the school at the highest level possible. However, participation is key as every gift to Nichols makes an immediate impact.
Contributions to the Nichols Fund from families, alumni, faculty, and staff make up 10% of the school’s operating expenses each year. This is a critical component to providing an outstanding and unique educational experience for Nichols students.
The Nichols Fund is an annual fundraising initiative which aims to solicit financial contributions from the school's community, including parents, alumni, staff, and other supporters. The Nichols Fund is crucial for the school’s financial health as it fills the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of providing an exceptional Nichols education. Contributions can be made in various forms, including cash and stock donations, pledges, matching gifts, and realized planned and deferred gifts.
Our goal for the 2024-2025 school year is to have 100% of our families participate in the Nichols Fund.
Capital Campaign
Capital campaigns are multi-year strategic initiatives that raise significant financial resources for long-term, transformative projects to enhance and expand the quality and scope of academic programs and faculty development within an educational institution. These gifts create lasting assets that benefit the institution for generations. Like all independent schools, Nichols School will conduct periodic capital campaigns for strategic projects such as:
• New or enhanced facilities to provide space for state-of-the-art teaching and learning while accommodating diverse needs.
• Faculty endowment funds to provide permanent funding for faculty positions and ongoing professional development.
• Endowed program funds to create and expand academic programs, provide innovative research opportunities, and provide technological resources to support educational demands.
Because capital initiatives are outside the scope of daily operations and annual budget, campaign gifts are typically given above and beyond a donor’s annual support of the Nichols Fund.
If you are interested in learning how you can help Nichols School by making a major, multi-year commitment to one of Nichols School’s strategic priorities, please contact Leslie Garcia, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, lgarcia@nicholsschool.org
Get Involved in the Parents’ Association
Every parent is a member of the Parents’ Association at Nichols. Students thrive when their families are involved and invested in their lives at school. When you contribute your time, resources, and talent, you become part of a long tradition of helping Nichols maintain its position as a school of excellence. There are numerous ways in which families can get involved in the educational experience here at Nichols.
Families may:
• Serve as a member of the Parent Council
• Join the planning committee for the Nichols Night Auction
• Host an international student
• Serve as a Nichols Fund Parent volunteer
• Assist as a Parent Ambassador for Admissions events
• Chaperone a field trip
• Volunteer in the library
• Serve on committees that help plan and facilitate events
Learn more about how to Get Involved
PARENT COUNCIL
President
Jessica Hapeman ’95 P’28,’28
Vice-President
Deidre Batson-Griggs ’03 P’29
Correspondence & Records
Michelle Maccagnano P’29
Ex-Officio
John Fox ’94 P’27
Middle School
5th Grade (Class of 2032)
Christina Leonard P’32
Jenny Li P’32
6th Grade (Class of 2031)
Brooke Leboeuf ’97 P‘31
Nicole Roberts P’31
7th Grade (Class of 2030)
Angela Campagna P’30
Jen Coppola P’27,’30
Emily Doren ‘00 P’30,‘31
8th Grade (Class of 2029)
Megan Lukitsch P’29
Julie Plata P’22,’22,‘29
Jen Smith P’27,’29
Upper School
9th Grade (Class of 2028)
Leah Mayer P’28,’29,‘31
Kristina Seiffert-Sinha P’28
Maansi Travers P’26,’28
10th Grade (Class of 2027)
Danielle Chebat P’27
Heather Jermak P’27
Caroline Kiddy P’25,‘27
11th Grade (Class of 2026)
Courtney Glenn P’26,‘27
Tracy Masiello P’26
Jill Metz P’26
12th Grade (Class of 2025)
Dina Benderson P’25,‘29
Rashika Hall P’25
Shannon Martin P’23,P’25
At-Large
Tammy Aranyosi P’27,’28
Amy & Chris Capalbo P’28,’30,‘31
Melissa Christian P’22,’24,’27
Lorrei DiCamillo P’28
Ashley Dietrick P’28,‘31
Zeb Farooq P’31
Dora Iskalo P’23,’27
Melissa Jorgenson P’26,‘28
Erin Lawson P’28
Caitlin LoVullo P’28,’30
Rachelle Nurse P’29
Kim Schindler P’26,’28,’31
Lisa Zebro P‘32
Continuing At-Large
Jennifer Aubrecht P’25,’28
Jessica Baird ’92 P’21,’23,’25
Amat Fatimah P’28
Jamie Kelly P’23, ’28,‘28
Dede Koeppen P’23,‘26
Marianne Lagutaine P’24,’28,‘30
Uzma Siddiqui P’28,‘30
STAFF
Austin Farber Director of Advancement 716-332-5153
afarber@nicholsschool.org
Katie McIntyre Director of Family Engagement and Philanthropy 716-332-5154
kmcintyre@nicholsschool.org
Sara Wiese Assistant Director of Advancement Events & Marketing 716-332-5175
swiese@nicholsschool.org
“Thank you, Nichols School, for all that you do to support our daughter’s learning, growth, and development.” – Abby & Jeff Embow P’28
Mark Your Calendars!
BIG GREEN: Friday, September 27, 2024
HOMECOMING: Saturday, September 28, 2024
NICHOLS NIGHT: Saturday, May 3, 2025