Do you love August as much as I do? Every year, I look forward to our community reconvening and reconnecting at the conclusion of summer. As we forge new friendships, launch new projects and imagine new possibilities, consider what you will dive into this school year. To that end, I hope you find Advancing Pace a useful guide to plugging into the magic happening at Pace Academy; read on to learn more about the many ways you can support Pace through philanthropy and volunteerism.
Throughout the 2023–2024 school year, Pace families, faculty, alumni and friends freely shared their resources and talents for the betterment of our school family. Volunteers organized and carried out beloved annual events and projects designed to build connectivity and school spirit. Donors generously supported the Pace Fund, Excellence in Every Endeavor strategic initiatives and parent organizations, resulting in more than $4.1 million. Likewise, 420 participants gave $1.7 million toward need-based financial aid through the Georgia Tax Credit Program. In total, supporters of Pace donated 3,343 gifts to our school in 2023–2024—THANK YOU!
We appreciate your continued support of the Pace Fund— Priority One!, which remains our annual fundraising priority. Building on the positive feedback received last year, the Pace Fund campaign will again follow a truncated timeline, launching on Oct. 1 and continuing until Dec. 31. This year, we are pleased to introduce updated Knights of the Round Table giving levels; more information can be found on page 4.
How fortunate we are at the start of each school year to begin again with renewed energy and purpose. We are eager to partner with you and to further our mission of creating prepared, confident citizens of the world who honor the values of Pace Academy.
Cheers, HEATHER WHITE Director of Advancement
THE PACE FUND PRIORITY ONE!
The Pace Fund campaign—Pace Academy’s #1 annual-giving priority—runs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, with pledges due by May 15. The Pace Fund provides vital resources that benefit every student and bolster all aspects of the Pace experience, and we ask every family to support the Pace Fund each year. We are so grateful for your support!
Pace Fund Contact
ALICE PHILLIPS
alice.phillips@paceacademy.org | 404-266-4423
GIVE OR PLEDGE FROM Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024
PACE FUND DAY OF GIVING Oct. 29, 2024
PLEDGE PAYMENT DEADLINE May 15, 2025
THE ALUMNI FUND
Gifts to the Alumni Fund —the alumni branch of the Pace Fund—support financial aid, helping make a Pace education possible for qualified students regardless of family resources. Pace provides need-based awards toward annual tuition and offers support for certain other school-related costs to ensure an equitable experience.
Alumni Fund Contact
ALICE PHILLIPS
alice.phillips@paceacademy.org | 404-266-4423
Please visit www.paceacademy.org/ the-pace-fund for more information and to give or pledge online.
Knights of the Round
Table Levels
LANCELOT
SOCIETY
$20,000+
KNIGHTS
CIRCLE
$10,000–$19,999
SWORD & SHIELD
$5,000–$9,999
NOBLES
$2,500–$4,999
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE GIVING SOCIETY
The Knights of the Round Table Giving Society recognizes donors making annual philanthropic gifts of $2,500 or more during the current year through Pace Fund donations, principal gifts made toward strategic giving priorities and endowment contributions. This year, we are pleased to introduce Lancelot Society, Pace’s highest level of giving, honoring those making an annual philanthropic commitment of $20,000 or more. Donors giving at Knights of the Round Table levels enjoy recognition in Pace’s Annual Report and receive invitations to specially curated events. See additional details in sidebar regarding levels.
Principal Gifts
Principal gifts are significant financial contributions that tie directly to the school’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, Excellence in Every Endeavor. Principal gifts are tailored to the donor’s philanthropic interests and support Pace’s strategic giving priorities, which include the Academic Resource Center, faculty professional development, STEAM and robotics, financial aid, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership, arts, athletics and mental wellness, among other initiatives. Recognition aligns with the individual contribu tion and can include named building spaces, endowments and awards. Princi pal gifts may be payable over a set period of time.
Endowments
The Pace Academy Endowment includes a general fund and 32 named endowments, most created by families or foundations in tribute to loved ones. Pace’s endowments, which exist in perpetuity to give lasting support to the school’s programs and operations, are funded through outright contributions as well as planned gifts received from
PLANNED GIVING
A planned gift , or future estate gift, can include bequests, beneficiary designations and charitable trusts. These vehicles do not subtract from a donor’s current income or assets and can offer estate-tax advantages all while supporting Pace. The Castle Circle recognizes those who have arranged a planned gift to Pace and notified the Office of Advancement. Please visit www.paceacademy.org/planned-giving for more information.
Principal Gifts, Endowment & Planned Giving Contact
TED JEFFRIES
ted.jeffries@paceacademy.org | 404-926-3725
GEORGIA PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
Through the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program , individuals, couples and businesses can allocate a portion of their Georgia state tax obligation to financial aid at the Georgia independent school(s) they choose. Tax Credit program participants receive a 100% credit on their state income taxes for the amount of their contribution. Pace depends on this program to fund financial aid for highly qualified students with demonstrated need. Please visit www.paceacademy.org/tax-credit for more information and a link to submit the tax credit form.
Tax Credit Program Contact
DEBRA MANN
debra.mann@paceacademy.org | 404-240-9103
SUBMIT FORM (for taxes due in 2025) July 1 to Dec. 15, 2024
APPLICATION
DEADLINE Dec. 15, 2024
HOMECOMING & REUNION WEEKEND
Sept. 13–14, 2024
GOLDEN KNIGHTS CELEBRATION FOR THE CLASS OF 1974 AND ALL PRIOR CLASSES
Sept. 14, 2024
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Alumni Association bolsters connection and community among Pace graduates—currently numbering more than 4,300. Alumni play an active role in the school’s present and future, enriching the student experience and the larger Pace community through the Alumni Board, the Association of Black Pace Academy Alumni and Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, in addition to other special events and initiatives. For more information, visit www.paceacademy.org/alumni
Alumni Association Contact
OLIVIA DILLON ’17
olivia.dillon@paceacademy.org | 404-240-9106
DIVISIONAL & DEPARTMENTAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Divisional and departmental volunteer roles provide an avenue for Pace parents and caregivers to match their skills and interests to the needs of the school. If you are curious to learn about any of the posts listed in the sidebar, reach out to Debra Mann at debra.mann@paceacademy.org.
Find Your Perfect Fit
• LOWER SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL & UPPER SCHOOL GRADE REPS (Divisional)
• PACE FUND & ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES (Advancement)
• PACE PARENT AMBASSADORS (Admissions)
• TEAM PARENTS (Athletics)
PARENTS CLUB
FALL FAIR
Oct. 19, 2024
PARENTS CLUB AUCTION
Feb. 22, 2025
The Pace Parents Club offers a range of opportunities to support school life and connect with other parents and caregivers. Parents Club committees intersect with many aspects of school programming and include the Auction, Fall Fair, Hospitality & Special Events, Lower School Holiday Store, Pace Cares, Parenting Connection, Faculty & Staff Appreciation and more. For more information, visit www.paceacademy.org/parents-club.
Parent Organizations Contact
CAROLINE TODD
caroline.todd@paceacademy.org | 404-469-0412
Parents Club Auction Contact
CHRISTINA LAMPA
christina.lampa@paceacademy.org | 404-926-3717
ARTS ALLIANCE
The Pace Arts Alliance supports and promotes visual and performing arts programming in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. Annual memberships provide funds to enrich the arts at Pace, with a special focus on programming that includes unique student experiences. Arts Alliance volunteers also offer hands-on support—from organizing events to running the concession stand. Visit www.paceacademy.org/arts-alliance for more information.
BOOSTER CLUB
The Booster Club promotes positive athletics experiences for the benefit of all Pace students by hosting school spirit activities that support athletics teams and foster school pride. The Booster Club also raises funds through annual memberships, sponsorships and events such as the Queens of the Court Tennis Challenge. Visit www.paceacademy.org/booster-club for more information.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
July to September 2024
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
July to September
HEATHER WHITE
Philanthropic Leadership & Management
heather.white@paceacademy.org
404-240-9107
LIZ COHEN
Communications & Foundations
liz.cohen@paceacademy.org 404-262-3534
OLIVIA DILLON ’17
Alumni Relations
olivia.dillon@paceacademy.org 404-240-9106
TED JEFFRIES
Principal Gifts & Endowments ted.jeffries@paceacademy.org 404-926-3725
CHRISTINA LAMPA
Advancement Events & Parents Club Auction christina.lampa@paceacademy.org 404-926-3717
DEBRA MANN Tax Credit Program & Associate Management debra.mann@paceacademy.org 404-240-9103
RUTH PEREIRA
Tax Receipts & Gift Instructions
ruth.pereira@paceacademy.org
404-240-7403
ALICE PHILLIPS
Pace Fund & Alumni Fund
alice.phillips@paceacademy.org
404-266-4423
CAROLINE TODD
Parent Organizations
caroline.todd@paceacademy.org
404-469-0412
Board of Trustees Advancement Committee
DEREK HARDESTY Board Member & Committee Chair dhardesty@kslaw.com
Pace Fund
KERI & JIM ROTH
Pace Fund Co-Chairs kerimasonroth@gmail.com jim@rothlawyer.com
ALLI & MATT RICHARDSON
Pace Fund Co-Chairs avrichardson@gmail.com matt.richardson@alston.com
AISHA & MARCELLUS PARKER
New Family & Inclusion Co-Chairs aisha.r.parker@gmail.com marcellusparker@gmail.com
COTE & MARC SPIEGEL New Family & Inclusion Co-Chairs marccote2016@gmail.com spieg32@gmail.com
Alumni Relations
JASON LEE ’96 President, Alumni Board jasonlee6@gmail.com
MEGAN FOX FORD ’01 Vice President, Alumni Board meganfox22@gmail.com
ROSS BROWN ’07 President, Association of Black Pace Academy Alumni ross.ira.brown@gmail.com
