A Guide to
Philanthropy
PHILANTHROPY AT PACIFIC RIDGE The story of Pacific Ridge began with the vision and philanthropic spirit of a small group of San Diego families. They aspired to create an exemplary middle and high school with a unique, living mission statement. This community of founding families pooled their ideas and financial support to purchase land, hire excellent teachers and launch an amazing new school. Since then, many more families have continued the Pacific Ridge tradition of sharing their time and resources to help the school’s campus and programming to grow. Now providing an exceptional education to more than 630 students each year and enjoying an almost-complete campus, Pacific Ridge would not be the school it is today without this history of generous support. Each gift, from each donor, has helped Pacific Ridge become a leading academic institution in the region.
WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW A SCHOOL
100+
$
million
RAISED TO DATE
- Founding Campus & Athletic Field - Mullady Hall (Upper School) - Ogle Center for Arts and Technology - Athletic Center - Founders Hall (Middle School) - Innovation Center & Library - Opportunity Grant Program - Unrestricted Gifts
FUTURE FUNDING NEEDED FOR: Performing Arts Center and Endowment
OUR MISSION In a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility and global engagement, Pacific Ridge School prepares students for college and a purposeful life.
ABOUT THE ANNUAL FUND First and foremost, families are asked to support the Annual Fund as generously as they can each year. Participation is a key element of the Annual Fund, and giving by 100% of families is our primary goal.
THE ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTS THE SCHOOL’S GREATEST NEEDS:
Gifts to the Annual Fund are applied across the school’s operating budget to support the people and programs that make Pacific Ridge outstanding.
• Arts • Athletics • Classroom & Lab Supplies • Competitive Faculty Salaries • Global Travel • H ealth & Safety • Professional Development • Sciences • Service Learning
Because all Annual Fund gifts are spent in the year they are donated, the fund must be renewed each year. And, because of its central role in supporting the school’s core programs, our Board of Trustees has identified the Annual Fund as the school’s top philanthropic priority. Therefore, we ask our currently enrolled families to give to the Annual Fund first, before making other gifts. The Annual Fund runs from July 1 through June 30. Solicitations for the Annual Fund are mailed to families in September at the start of the academic year, with follow-up calls and emails by parent volunteers. All donors to the Annual Fund will be acknowledged in the school’s Annual Report.
The Annual Fund strengthens every aspect of our school – beyond what is possible with tuition alone.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who donates to the Annual Fund? E ach year, Pacific Ridge seeks support from all enrolled parents, as well as alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty and staff. We are gratified that 100% of trustees, faculty and staff have given each year since the school’s founding.
Why doesn’t Pacific Ridge just raise tuition to cover the full cost of educating students? As is the case with virtually all independent schools, increasing tuition to fully fund our current level of education could price out many families who currently attend. This would limit enrollment, which, in turn, could mean a cutback in programs. The Annual Fund helps keep a Pacific Ridge education accessible to the best and brightest applicants, creates a diverse and vibrant learning community, and supports the excellent teaching and unique programming for which the school is known. Secondly, gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible, while increased tuition is not.
How much should I give to the Annual Fund? e ask that families make supporting Pacific Ridge W a priority and give to the best of their abilities on an annual basis. Many families are able to contribute at a leadership level. Above all, we strive for 100% participation. Every gift, no matter the size, is important.
LEADERSHIP LEVELS SCHOLARS CIRCLE
$50,000+
FOUNDERS FELLOW
$25,000 - $49,999
HARKNESS SOCIETY
$10,000 - $24,999
GLOBAL ADVOCATE
$5,000 - $9,999
2007 CLUB
$2,000 - $4,999
Does it matter when I make my gift? Yes. Making your gift early in the year significantly helps the school with budget planning. Because of this, we ask donors to at least pledge early in the school year. While pledges can be paid any time before June 30, donors often choose to make their gift before December 31 for tax purposes.
What if I feel something should be changed at Pacific Ridge and want to withhold support to the Annual Fund? Pacific Ridge encourages open discussion and strives to be as responsive as possible to all parent concerns. Withholding support from the Annual Fund will not help you resolve your issue. We encourage you to share your concerns with the appropriate school administrator or the Philanthropy office.
Opportunity Grant OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROGRAM The school raises funds every year to cover nearly all tuition assistance and incidental costs for first-generation, college-bound students who would not otherwise be able to attend Pacific Ridge. Because we are a community that values all identities and experiences, the Opportunity Grant program is an essential component of the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This valuable program enriches the learning experience for all students at Pacific Ridge, and is completely funded by voluntary donations above and beyond the Annual Fund. The program began in 2013 with just one student and has grown to support 11 students for the 2021-2022 school year.
15 Opportunity Grant students have graduated from Pacific Ridge. An Opportunity Grant student entering 7th grade will need $270,000 to cover tuition, travel and expenses over the next six years. An Opportunity Grant student entering 9th grade will need $180,000 to cover tuition, travel, and expenses over the next four years.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT
There are additional ways to support Pacific Ridge School that transcend any particular year.
ENDOWMENT GIVING
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
Independent schools look to endowment gifts as important sources of funding for long-term sustainability. Generally, endowment funds are set up to preserve donated financial assets in perpetuity while also providing an annual income stream through interest to spend on a directed program or general operations. Pacific Ridge School established its first endowed fund in 2019 with a generous gift to support the Opportunity Grant program. Building a strong pool of endowed funds is an important part of Pacific Ridge’s long-range planning as established by the Board of Trustees.
From time to time, the school may launch a campaign to pay for a major building project or other significant needs outside the scope of the Annual Fund. Parents of enrolled families should expect to be asked to participate in at least one major campaign during their time at Pacific Ridge. During these times, parents are asked to support both the Annual Fund and the major campaign. This ensures that the school’s day-to-day expenses are covered while the school makes significant improvements that will benefit both current and future students. Typically, campaign gifts are larger in size and may involve pledges with payments that extend over several years.
PLANNED GIVING Planned gifts are contributions arranged in the present for future allocation and generally enable donors to make larger gifts than they could otherwise. Commonly structured as part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate planning, planned gifts can include gifts of equity, life insurance, real estate, personal property or cash.
If you would like to know more about Endowment or Planned Giving, please contact the Philanthropy Office at 760-448-9883.