A PARTNERSHIP WITH PORTER-GAUD
PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED ON PHILANTHROPY.
The Reverend Doctor Anthony Toomer Porter, as he knelt at the grave of his son in Magnolia Cemetery, committed to “educate other people’s children” by building a school in October 1867. Within six weeks, he opened the Orphan Home and School Association of the Church of the Holy Communion, which later became Porter Military Academy. Reverend Porter's personal sacrifice and vision inspired others to give, thus, setting in motion a philanthropic ethic that has continued throughout our history. "Bless all who have contributed to its support, and raise up for it a continuous number of benefactors, through whose aid it may ever flourish." The Reverend Doctor Anthony Toomer Porter from The Porter Prayer
Over the past 150 years, Porter-Gaud School has grown to become one of the Southeast's leading independent schools. Philanthropy has played a significant role in the development of our campus and the growth of our dynamic student experience. Generous contributions from parents, alumni, grandparents, past parents, faculty and staff, and friends who believe in the power of a Porter-Gaud education have helped to create and sustain our unique and vibrant learning community. "My motivation for giving stems from the members of the Porter-Gaud community who took a personal interest in my development over the years. I give to PG because Tom Evatt knew I could be better. I give because Wesley Moore taught me about standing up for what I believe in. I give because Chaplain Lent taught me about finding purpose, Randy Clark taught me humility, and Larry Salley taught me spirit." Ben Pittard ’01
FINANCIAL EXPECTATIONS
Although there are many worthwhile charitable causes, Porter-Gaud is one of the few that directly benefits our children and families. Thus, we hope and expect that parents of currently enrolled students will make the school a philanthropic priority. To that end: Each Porter-Gaud family is expected to contribute to the Cyclone Fund each year at a level commensurate with their financial ability. To keep tuition increases in check and to help make up the difference between tuition revenue and operating costs, Porter-Gaud depends on annual giving every year. Tax-deductible donations to the Cyclone Fund are put directly into the same year’s operating funds and used to help cover a broad range of essential items such as academic programs and supplies, new technology, arts and library materials and equipment, student activities, faculty professional development, and facilities maintenance.
ANNUAL GIVING
The Cyclone Fund is the School’s cornerstone in fundraising. It provides resources that are critical to our childcentered mission. Annual gifts are an investment in our students and our faculty, and an annual endorsement of all Porter-Gaud stands for and all it can become. Cyclone Fund donors can also direct their annual gifts to areas of personal interest such as: financial aid, faculty and staff development, academic programs, athletics, fine arts, technology, and areas of greatest need.
CYCLONE FUND GIVING LEVELS:
Friends of Porter-Gaud $1 - $249 Loyalty Society $250 - $999 Albemarle Society $1,000 - $1,866 Headmaster’s Society $1,867 - $4,999 Porter Society $5,000 - $9,999 Roundtable $10,000 - $24,999 Founder’s Circle $25,000 and above Gifts can be made online at portergaud.edu/give.* *Porter-Gaud’s fiscal year is July 1st - June 30th.
“We support the Cyclone Fund to help cover the shortfalls between tuition and annual expenses and in order for teachers to have additional tools, resources, and opportunities available to them. With the additional academic development provided, Porter-Gaud has some of the best students and teachers in the highly competitive independent school market.“ Jennifer and Rob Black, Porter-Gaud Parents
CAPITAL GIVING – Campaign for reNEWal
The $25 million reNEWal campaign currently underway will transform our campus into a flagship of academic excellence and innovation. PHASE 1 - COMPLETE New Upper School, 47,649 square feet, 24 classrooms, US library, College Counseling, Community Service, Guidance, Office of Diversity, computer lab, student lounge and collaboration areas, and administrative offices. The Middle School, located in both the S&T Building and Tyler Hall, is now home to 5th- 8th grades, gains nine (9) new classrooms, a faculty workroom, its own dedicated library, and centralizes Guidance, Spiritual Life, and Learning Services. The Lower School, now home to 1st - 4th grades, adds cultural hubs for its world languages program, two (2) science labs, and more age-appropriate learning spaces.
"I wanted to say thank you to PG for making my daughter Cinnie who she is - a very self-confident young woman. I am just so grateful. It didn't take me a second to consider giving to the reNEWal campaign." Stephanie Saunders, Parent of Cinnie Saunders ’16
PHASE 2 - SUPPORTING THE ARTS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE FINE ARTS will renovate an additional 3,000 square feet for creative exploration and expression. To include music rehearsal space, art studios, and a black-box theatre for performance and dance. A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART PERFORMING ARTS CENTER is poised to be a place that inspires us all – performers and enthusiasts alike – to connect with and celebrate music, theater, dance, and art in every part of our lives. The auditorium will seat 773 people (537 - ground floor, 236 - balcony). A NEW CHAPEL will be mindfully designed in the style of the original St. Timothy’s Chapel. It will seat approximately 450 people and create unlimited opportunities for fellowship, discussion, contemplation, and worship. There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “Porter-Gaud gave me both. From the art studio to piano lessons, from handbells to jazz choir, from English class to the debate team, from glee club to chamber singers, the variety of wonderful programs I was fortunate enough to experience throughout my 12 years at Porter-Gaud constitute my roots, which run plentiful and deep thanks to a multitude of teachers and fellow students who continue to influence my work to this very day, while the opportunity to act in plays and musicals over those 12 years gave me my wings. This is where I first learned to fly and continue to soar. I can’t imagine my life without the well-rounded education of Porter-Gaud, and “well-rounded” is quite the understatement. May I never land!” Matthew Shingledecker ’04, Broadway Performer
ENDOWMENT GIVING
Porter-Gaud is fortunate to have donors, past and present, who are committed to growing our endowment. A robust endowment provides assurance that Porter-Gaud will thrive for generations to come. Unrestricted endowment gifts provide our school with stability and flexibility. Restricted endowments gifts can be designated to fund scholarships, teaching positions, or new academic programs. “Our family established the Charilla Barham Scholarship in memory of my mother and her dedication to and genuine love for Porter-Gaud School. Her career at Porter-Gaud spanned more than 22 years, and her passion for helping those around her inspired us to create this endowment to honor her memory and her commitment to the students. Her legacy is now a permanent one that will nurture future generations of Cyclones!� Kenton Barham Youngblood '95
LEGACY GIVING – WATCH TOWER CIRCLE
Legacy giving, or planned giving, is a way for donors to leave a legacy and make an impact on Porter-Gaud beyond their lifetime, by including Porter-Gaud in their wills or other estate plans. Legacy giving allows donors to make larger gifts than might otherwise be possible. “My grandfather taught here, my father and I attended here, and I want my daughter to go here! My husband and I have set up a modest estate gift now that we intend to build over time. Our participation in the WATCH Tower Circle signifies our belief in Porter-Gaud and our faith that this great school will continue to be greater if we all stay involved and show our support.” Kathleen Stelling Hodgson ‘99
AFFILIATE GIVING
The Porter-Gaud Parents Guild and the Porter-Gaud Fathers Association raise funds that provide enhancements on campus, in classrooms, and within athletics that are beyond the annual school budget. These programs result in a more rewarding experience for our students and faculty. Each of these volunteer parent groups offer a variety of opportunities to be involved in School life. The Porter-Gaud Alumni Association raises funds for scholarship support with an annual golf tournament and other fundraisers.
YOUR GIFTS FUND EXCELLENCE.
Gifts providethe vital support to our faculty and strengthenthe Porter-Gaud experience - one that fosters independence, confidence, intellectual growth, and creativity in all of our students. Give today! Online: www.portergaud.edu/give By Check: Porter-Gaud Foundation 300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407 By Appreciated Stock: www.portergaud.edu/stockgift By Phone: Call the Foundation Office at 843.402.4803
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300 Albemarle Road | Charleston, SC 29407 | PorterGaudFoundation.org | 843.402.4803