Campaign for The Summit
LEADING THE WAY
THE SUMMIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL GIVING CATALOG
33 GIFTS TO SUPPORT YOUR PASSION
LEADING THE WAY
Leading The Way • Campaign for The Summit Leading the Way is a comprehensive, five-year campaign in support of The Summit’s strategic plan to ensure a sustainable advantage for the school and its graduates. The strategic plan seeks to equip our students with the skills, habits of mind and experiences they will need to succeed in the fast-changing years ahead. The four planks of the plan are: 1. Developing Leaders of Character for the 21st Century. 2. Enhancing our Value Proposition. 3. Strengthening the school’s Financial Model. 4. Building a Culture of Philanthropy. How we got here: We began our strategic planning process three years ago by asking two key questions: • What skills and experiences will children need for success in the future? • What does the school need to do to deliver that and sustain itself long term? We assembled a group of business and educational leaders to hear what their needs would be regarding their future workforce. They told us that young people would be best served if they were better equipped in character, leadership, creativity and problem-solving. Representatives of various segments of our school community then gathered in committees to conduct research into best practices of what it will take to teach these skills and habits of mind to children. That exercise formed the basis of the strategic plan.
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Developing Leaders of Character for the 21st Century To maximize the effectiveness of our graduates in their professional and personal lives, we must equip them with knowledge, skills and experiences in the following areas: Creative Problem-Solving: We start from the premise that creativity can be taught. We must demand it of the students in the courses they take. Creativity is essential for effective problem-solving. We want to assign complex, real-world issues for our students to learn the process of working collaboratively on analyzing problems thoroughly, brainstorming possible solutions and developing practical plans to execute solutions. We intend to provide students with experience by practicing multiple idea-creation techniques and using a deliberate design process. Students need to learn how best to calculate risk, persevere through obstacles and failure and take time to reflect on what they have learned. Character-Based Leadership: Building on our decades-old Character Education Program, which has been enhanced in the intervening years, we intend to further
develop leadership skills through lessons and experiences. We believe we can teach children to have a growth mindset, to practice empathic listening, to make decisions based on principle and to resolve conflict through negotiation. We want to put more ethical dilemmas in front of our children and provide them with thinking routines to guide their reasoning. We want them to practice leadership skills in the context of creative ideation. We believe the best decisions come from seeking out and listening to a wide variety of opinions. We want our students to view themselves as ethical leaders – changemakers and peacemakers who are prepared to lead in any situation. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I): While we have been building social justice, anti-bias and civil rights education into our curriculum for years, the 20 DE&I standards we recently adopted assure curricular accountability across four domains: identity, diversity, justice and action. The standards are meant to help our teachers intentionally educate children to be active participants in a diverse community and to be proactive in insisting on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice through their lives. Enhancing our Value Proposition Our research tells us the top reasons families send their children here are rigorous academics, faith formation, opportunities their child won’t get elsewhere and a family-like community with common values. We are working on ways to best reflect these factors in how we tell our story to prospective families. We need to demonstrate the outcomes of the unique and distinctive aspects of a Summit educational experience. We seek to reach new families through videography, an award-winning website redesign, new media and community engagement.
Strengthening the School’s Financial Model Strategies for strengthening our financial model will ensure The Summit’s sustainability long into the future. This requires maintaining, if not growing, enrollment. To that end, we need to effectively communicate ways families can afford our tuition. We need to look closely at our costs to manage the school efficiently and effectively. We need to make continued progress in raising funds to support the educational innovations we are pursuing. Building a Culture of Philanthropy To reach the school’s fundraising potential, we need to build a culture of philanthropy among our stakeholders like that in the best and financially strongest independent schools in the country. We need to engage our stakeholders in all aspects of the school. The more engaged people are, the more they want to support our cause. We need to increase participation in The Summit Fund among our parents, grandparents, alumni and parents of alumni. We need to increase the endowment to ensure funding of scholarships, faculty development, and innovative programs long into the future. We also need to refresh our facilities through donations to capital improvements. Philanthropy is more than just raising money. It is caring for, developing and enhancing lives. We seek to convince our stakeholders that investing in children is the best, long-term investment they can ever make.
Rich Wilson Head of School
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Campaign Leadership The co-chairs of the Leading the Way campaign are four couples who have made an impact on the school through their involvement and investment.
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Annie and Mike Bergeron Parents of Jack ’19, Kate ’21 and Nick ’24
Allison (Hiltz) ’93 and JB Kropp Parents of Finn ’25, Paige ’26 and Piper ’31
Joelle and Nick Ragland BMS ’83 Parents of Alex ’19 and Sydney SMS ’17
Wendy (Sutphin) GMS ’86 and Andy Ritch Parents of Lily ’21, Hudson ’22 and Charlie ’26
Table of Contents THE SUMMIT FUND 7 Overview 7 The Summit Fund Unrestricted 7 Angel Donor Fund 8 Hardship Fund 8 Student Financial Assistance Fund 8 Faculty-Staff Support and Professional Development Fund 9 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund 9 Technology Fund 10 Parent Fund 10 Five Pillars Fund
Forever Funds 22 Overview 23 Endowed Angel Donor Forever Fund 23 Endowed Leaders of Character Society Forever Fund 23 Endowed Sustainer Trustee Forever Fund
ENDOWMENT FUNDS 13 Overview 13 Ragland Family Endowment Incentive Program 13 Endowed Unrestricted Fund
Academics and Innovative Programs 26 Capital Character-Based Leadership Summer Curriculum Fund 26 Capital Creative Problem-Solving Summer Curriculum Fund 27 Capital Character-Based Leadership Speakers and Experiences Fund 27 Capital Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund
Student Funds 13 Endowed Scholarships and Financial Aid Fund 14 Endowed Hardship Fund Faculty and Staff Funds 14 Endowed Faculty-Staff General Fund 14 Endowed Faculty Chair Fund 15 Endowed Faculty-Staff Position Fund 16 Endowed Professional Development Fund Academic and Innovative Programs 17 Endowed Academics and Curriculum Fund 17 Endowed Creative Problem-Solving Fund 18 Endowed Character-Based Leadership Fund 18 Endowed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund Campus Beautification 19 Overview Centers for Excellence 20 Endowed Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Fund 21 Endowed Schiff Family Science Research Institute Fund
CAPITAL AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES 25 Overview Unrestricted Fund 25 Capital Unrestricted Fund
Campus Beautification 27 Capital Purchase a Van Fund 28 Capital St. Cecilia Hall Renovation Fund PLANNED GIVING 31 Cornerstone Heritage Society 31 Wills and Bequests 31 Life Insurance 32 IRA or Retirement Plan 33 Charitable Gift Annuity 33 Benefit of Giving Stock INVOLVEMENT. INVESTMENT. IMPACT. 34 How you can get involved in the community 35 How your gift can make a difference
Your donation to the Leading the Way Campaign will go directly to the gift category you select. If the amount raised exceeds our need for any specific gift category, surplus funds will be directed to The Summit’s greatest needs.
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THE SUMMIT FUND
Leading The Way • Campaign for The Summit
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(Greatest Need)
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An unrestricted donation to The Summit Fund allows the school flexibility to use the gift to respond to the school’s greatest needs. All funds raised through The Summit Fund are used to support the operating budget in the same year they are given. Thanks to you and all the families, alumni and friends who make unrestricted contributions, Summit students enjoy enhanced opportunities in all areas of student life and learning.
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The Summit Fund Unrestricted
H A R AC T E FC R CIE
• Faculty and staff recruitment, retention and professional development. • Financial resources for program enrichment to support a strong and innovative curriculum which contributes to Summit graduates receiving millions in scholarships from post-secondary institutions. • Financial assistance for over 40% of students who would not otherwise be able to afford a Summit education. • Facilities modernization, beautification and maintenance.
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Each year, Summit families, faculty, staff, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents and friends participate in our Culture of Philanthropy by making an annual gift. The Summit Fund covers the costs of the school’s day-to-day operations and supplements ongoing campaigns. Formerly known as the Annual Fund for Excellence, The Summit Fund adopted its new name in 2020. It is the primary way our community gives back to The Summit. Every member within The Summit community benefits from The Summit Fund. Gifts directly support our mission by providing:
LEADERS OF CHARACTER SOCIETY The flagship organization within The Summit Fund is the Leaders of Character Society. The collective monies raised within each giving circle are designated to the needs of the school that extend beyond the normal annual operating costs. Your membership to a specific giving circle is based on your donation amount. m Saint Julie’s Circle........................ $50,000 + m 1890 Circle....................................... $25,000 – $49,999 m Julia & Louise’s Circle................. $20,000 - $24,999 m Grandin Circle................................ $15,000 - $19,999 m Trustee’s Circle.............................. $10,000 - $14,999 m Head of School’s Circle............. $5,000 - $9,999 m Director’s Circle............................ $2,500 - $4,999 m Five Pillars Circle.......................... $1,000 – 2,499 m Silver Knight Circle...................... $500 - $999 (under age 35) m G.O.L.D. Circle................................ $250-$499 (Graduates of last decade, under age 28) A gift to the Angel Donor Fund places you in the Leaders of Character Society.
Angel Donor Fund
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Angel Donors enlighten our world by supporting the needs of deserving and talented students who have the desire to attend The Summit but are in need of financial assistance. Angel Donors are asked to make a minimum gift of $2,500 or more annually with a commitment of at least five years. Your gift to the Angel Donor Fund supports a student with need. Children who receive Angel Donor funds express their gratitude to donors each year by writing thank you letters. This is a teachable moment in a child’s life which shows that someone cared enough to help them get the advantages INVOLVEMENT. INVESTMENT. IMPACT.
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of a Summit education. Hopefully the experience of philanthropy will make an impression on them and, in time, they will be in a position to pay the gift forward by helping someone else.
made by our families. Each family has unique financial circumstances and ability to pay tuition. We assist those who qualify and demonstrate need through tuition assistance.
When you become an Angel Donor, 100% of your donation goes directly toward helping qualified students achieve “The Summit Advantage.”
Thanks to our donors, we award over $4 million in scholarships and tuition assistance every year. This helps students who may not otherwise afford a Summit education.
By becoming an Angel Donor, you can give a young person the wings to fly.
Hardship Fund
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Hardship Fund benefactors support students whose circumstances challenge their ability to participate in educational trips and school events such as athletics, proms, graduations, etc. The Hardship Fund enables our students to share fully in The Summit experience and the community.
Student Financial Assistance Fund
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Education is one of the most important investments a family can make for their child’s future. We recognize the significant financial commitment 8
When you donate to Student Financial Assistance you are investing in the future of our students and the future of our community.
Faculty-Staff Professional Development Fund
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Our faculty members are lifelong learners. Through in-service training, our faculty are updated on new technologies for the classroom and work together in specialty areas or grade-level groups to introduce innovative programming into the
curriculum. Many faculty and staff attend conferences to update them on their individual specialties and participate in professional development groups centered on how to incorporate character-based leadership, creative problem-solving and principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. One teacher or staff member can make a difference in the lives of thousands of students.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund
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The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Fund is an option for those who want to further the school’s work in this area. The Summit has been building social justice, anti-bias and civil rights education into the curriculum for many years. To develop scope and sequence of DE&I principles from preschool through grade 12, we adopted and are benchmarking 20 standards grouped into four areas: identity, diversity, justice and action. Two of the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame education – provided to us by the Sisters – echo these standards: “We embrace the gift of diversity” and “We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.” Your gift in support of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will help us continue to develop programs and programming support of our mission statement which calls on us to challenge every child. While we welcome gifts of any amount, a gift of $1,000 could fund a local DE&I speaker for faculty-staff in-service training. A gift of $5,000 to $15,000 could fund a national speaker.
Technology Fund
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With the ever-changing needs of technology, we strive to continue to offer the most innovative platforms and programs for our community to further expand, enhance, educate and engage. Your gift to the Technology Fund will help us maintain the competitive edge our children need to succeed.
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Parent Fund
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We welcome gifts of any size for the Parent Fund. A $100 gift could purchase four Lower School Library reading books. A gift of $500 could pay the registration fee for a teacher to attend a professional development conference. A gift of $1,000 could pay for books for faculty to read in the summer on current curricular matters. Your Parent Fund gift will be recognized in our annual Impact Report on Philanthropy, and a gift of $1,000 or more also makes you a member of the Leaders of Character Society, the pace-setting group for The Summit Fund. Parent Fund gifts: • Indicate that you support the academic programs, character-based education and distinctive initiatives that are part of The Summit experience. • Support exceptional teachers. • Support a wide range of student activities. • Provide opportunities students might not have elsewhere. • Promote a diverse campus by bringing students from all backgrounds to become part of The Summit community. • Help bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of education. Statistics show that children whose parents talk to them about charitable giving are 20% more likely to support philanthropic causes. Support from the Summit community is important to outside funders like foundations because it demonstrates deep belief and commitment in The Summit.
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Five Pillars Fund The Summit is committed to the total development of students’ minds, hearts and bodies. Your gift supports our mission which calls for us to develop our students holistically across these five pillars: Academic: The Summit educational experience is distinguished by the ways that we individualize our instruction and experiences, so every child reaches his or her potential. Our students are surrounded by rich learning materials and up-to-date technology. Our science labs are state-ofthe art. Our curriculum is rigorous. In the lower grades, we are able to differentiate lessons and provide extra support or accelerate students according to their ability. Our Upper School offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement classes that allow The Summit experience to be tailored for each student. Every year, 100 percent of our students are accepted into colleges and universities across the
country and abroad. Spiritual: The Summit is a Catholic, independent school grounded in the values of our founders, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The shared belief in the sanctity of the individual, the holiness of life and the presence of God within each person is the foundation of The Summit. The expression and realization of that belief is demonstrated through the spiritual practices of our students, faculty and staff. Physical: The Summit values a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle through physical development and athletic competition. Teamwork, commitment, responsibility, honor, perseverance, cooperation, leadership, sportsmanship, nutrition, fitness and self-esteem contribute to the overall wellness of the individual. Artistic: The Summit offers many opportunities for self-expression and
the development of artistic awareness and discernment. Opportunities abound in art class, but it doesn’t just happen in a classroom. The arts are integrated throughout the curricula and in opportunities for writing, performance and a broad variety of creative works. Social: We teach the importance of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking in regards to relationships. We are committed to the social-emotional wellness of our students. We embrace diversity, character-based leadership and creative problem-solving. You may opt to make a general gift to the Five Pillars Fund that will help us develop the whole child across every pillar, or you may specify that your gift be applied to just one of the pillars.
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THE SUMMIT ENDOWMENT Leading The Way • Campaign for The Summit
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Like the Summit Endowment in honor of Edward C. Tyrrell, all endowments have a story to tell about the donors who created them. Because of the permanence of an endowment, those stories become an enduring part of The Summit’s history. These gifts are made possible through the generous investments of alumni, parents and friends as an impacting way to demonstrate their support and passion for The Summit. Endowed funds are established to provide ongoing permanent support for designated funding recipients by use of interest earned rather than at the expense of the funds themselves. Specific donation amounts are required to establish an endowed fund. Endowed funds may be created for a variety of purposes, including faculty support, student scholarships, curriculum innovation and building and grounds enhancement. Current endowments include: Unrestricted. These gifts allow the school to designate funds for use in areas where the need is greatest. • Academics and Curriculum • Innovative Programs • Campus Beautification • Forever Funds Faculty and Staff Support. These funds provide significant support for teaching. Ways to designate how funds can be used include: • Endowed Faculty and Staff General Fund • Endowed Faculty Chairs • Endowed Faculty and Staff Positions • Professional Development Scholarship. An endowed scholarship can be named and designated for specific use when a fund reaches the $100,000 threshold.
Ragland Family Endowment Incentive Program Established in 2019, this fund was created as an incentive program to encourage benefactors to establish a new endowed fund to grow The Summit Country Day School’s endowment. Incentive aspects of the Ragland Family Endowment Incentive Program include: • Eligible new funds created with a commitment between $50,000 and $99,000 may qualify to receive $5,000. • Eligible new funds created with a commitment of $100,000+ may qualify to receive $10,000.
Endowed Unrestricted Fund
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Unrestricted endowment funds can be spent, saved, invested and distributed at the discretion of The Summit when the gift is received. An unrestricted donation to the endowment allows the school flexibility to use the gift to respond to the school’s greatest needs at the time the gift is made. Endowed gifts provide stable, sustained revenue. The school uses only the interest earned on the principal, rather than the invested amount. Donations to an unrestricted fund allow the school to designate how the interest income is spent. Specific donation amounts are required to establish a named endowed fund.
STUDENT FUNDS Endowed Scholarships and Financial Aid Fund
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Since The Summit’s first named scholarship was established in 1988, more than 70 donors have been inspired to create their own named scholarships. Today, those scholarships are valued at $16 million and allow us to provide thousands of dollars
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every year in scholarships to support the education of eligible students. An endowed fund is permanently invested, and we spend only the interest earned on the principal. A fund must reach $100,000 before we award scholarships from the earnings. Endowed scholarships give us the financial confidence to commit to long term support of students. Even in difficult economic times, named endowments provide predictable streams of income. The scholarships attract high-achieving students from across the city, offering The Summit’s educational advantage to families who might not be able to afford tuition at a top-tier, independent school. Donors tell us they believe the best use of their wealth is to invest in children. They know that endowments secure our financial future, and they believe in our mission. Because donors may name their scholarships for whomever they choose – a child, a parent, a family, an inspirational teacher or coach – they can leave their mark in a legacy that lasts forever. Donors have the satisfaction of knowing their gift is permanent and will provide a Summit education to students for years to come. Donors may designate attributes they would like to see in the recipients. The Marc Gerard Fragge ‘83 Memorial Scholarship, for example, assists qualified students who exemplify Marc’s personal dedication to academic achievement, athletic involvement and spiritual growth.
Endowed Hardship Fund 12 Every year we have families whose financial circumstances take an unforeseen turn for the worse. Our benefactors support students whose circumstances challenge their ability to participate in educational trips and school events such as athletics, proms,
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graduations, etc. The Hardship Fund enables our students to share fully in The Summit experience and the community. While you could designate your annual gift to The Summit Fund for use in the Hardship Fund, that gift could only be used in the year it was given. An endowed gift to the Hardship Fund would allow The Summit to carry the donation over from year to year.
FACULTY AND STAFF FUNDS Endowed Faculty and Staff General Fund
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Investment income earned for the Faculty and Staff General Fund is spent annually to support our teachers and staff. This fund allows us to retain and recruit outstanding faculty and staff.
Endowed Faculty Chair Fund
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Endowments for a faculty chair provide The Summit with a significant and permanent source of funds to support a designated department and director. An endowed chair is important for recruiting and retaining the highest quality faculty. Recognizing the continued contributions of senior-level administrators and providing funds to push academic excellence and scholarly activities are key purposes of the endowed position. An endowed chair is the gold standard of faculty distinction. It is an enduring way of ensuring that The Summit will have highly qualified faculty in perpetuity. This lifelong commitment to the school honors the legacy of the name placed on the fund and its recipient by publicly endorsing the achievements of teachers who make a difference in the lives of Summit students.
Endowed Faculty-Staff 15 Position Fund Endowing a faculty, staff or coaching position provides long-term financial security through predictable revenue streams dedicated to faculty and staff. Endowed positions ensure stability in an academic and athletic program over time while allowing students and athletes to benefit by learning from the best teachers and coaches. Endowed positions are one of the most significant and widelyrecognized measures of academic and athletic quality in a program. They serve to recognize our best teachers and coaches and, in turn, help us retain and recruit more top talent into our programs.
• Attract new high caliber, motivated students and athletes who will carry forward our legacy of characterbased leadership. Endowed positions give donors the opportunity to express appreciation to dedicated teachers and coaches who inspire students to be the best they can be in the classroom, on the field or court and within our community. Donors may name their endowed funds for whomever they choose – a child, parent, family member, a coach or inspirational teacher. By endowing a teacher, staff member or a coach, you can impact the lives of thousands of students.
Endowments: • Substantiate The Summit’s educational philosophy through supporting the five-pillar mission for educating the whole child. • Promote The Summit’s presence within a competitive landscape to support retention, enrollment and college placement. • Recognize The Summit is home to outstanding educators and coaches. • Attract, retain and advance more highquality teachers and coaches. INVESTMENT. INVOLVEMENT. IMPACT.
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Endowed Professional Development Fund
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Professional development endowments are restricted funds that provide donors the opportunity to focus their gifts on the most critical aspect of an independent school – excellence in teaching. Endowments are an investment in the future of the school, because only the interest on the endowment is spent. Thus, donors are assured their investment will continue the mission of the school through generations of families. Outstanding faculty help distinguish The Summit through expertise in their fields of study, best practices and innovation in the classroom. Professional development funds allow faculty to pursue challenging experiences that advance their expertise, gain the knowledge to design new curricula and learn new methods of engaging students. The funds attract and retain high-level teachers who see the funds as a commitment to excellence 16
in education and an investment in the cultivation of faculty. Creation of an endowed professional development fund is the ultimate show of gratitude for teachers who have an impact on children’s lives.
ACADEMIC AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS Endowed Academics and Curriculum Fund 17 The Summit educational experience is distinguished by the ways that we individualize our instruction and experiences. We believe in educating the whole child – academic, spiritual, physical, social and artistic development are built into our five-pillar mission. Our students are surrounded by rich learning materials and up-todate technology. Our science labs are state-ofthe art. Our curriculum is challenging. Our faculty is highly trained and their tenure averages 20 years. We use data to inform instruction. In the lower grades, we are able to differentiate lessons and provide extra support or accelerate students according to their ability. Our Upper School offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement classes that allow The Summit experience to be tailored for each student. Every year, 100% of our students are accepted into colleges and universities across the country and abroad. By providing a significant and permanent endowed source of financial support for Academics and Curriculum, you ensure academic rigor and an effective curriculum continue to receive ongoing emphasis.
Endowed Creative Problem-Solving Fund
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We start from the premise that creativity can be taught. We must demand it of the students in the courses they take. Creativity is essential for effective problem-solving. We want to assign complex, real-world issues for our students to dive into to learn the process of working collaborativly on analyzing problems thoroughly, brainstorming possible solutions and developing practical plans to execute solutions. We will provide students experience in practicing multiple ideacreation techniques and using a deliberate design process. Students need to learn how best to calculate risk, persevere through obstacles and failure and take time to reflect on what they have learned. INVESTMENT. INVOLVEMENT. IMPACT.
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Endowed Character-Based Leadership Fund 19 Building on our decades-old Character Education Program, which has been enhanced in the intervening years, we intend to further develop leadership skills through lessons and experiences. We believe we can teach children to have a growth mindset, to practice empathic listening, to make decisions based on principle and to resolve conflict through negotiation. We want to put more ethical dilemmas in front of our children and provide them thinking routines to guide their reasoning. We want them to practice leadership skills in the context of creative ideation. We believe the best decisions come from seeking out and listening to a wide
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variety of opinions. We want our students to view themselves as ethical leaders as well as changemakers and peacemakers who are prepared to lead in any situation.
Endowed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund
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While we have been building social justice, anti-bias and civil rights education into our curriculum for years, the 20 standards we recently adopted assure curricular accountability across four domains: identity, diversity, justice and action. The standards are meant to help our teachers intentionally educate children to be active participants in a diverse community and to be proactive in insisting on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice through their lives.
CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION Endowed Campus Beautification Fund
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The Summit Country Day School has been a landmark in Hyde Park since 1890. The pointed arches, flying buttresses, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and wooden reliefs in our main building, centered around the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, are glorious examples of 19th Century gothic revival architecture. Our 24-acre main campus includes the Lower School and Middle School buildings, two dining halls, two exterior and one rooftop playgrounds, state-of-the-art science laboratories in every building, Williams Field, a stadium which can seat more than 900 fans, Thurner Field, the Lower School field, three gymnasiums, a weight room, a faculty-staff fitness room and Kyte Theater. Our 16-acre Athletic Complex includes the Athletic Complex Building, a stateof-the-art baseball field, five tennis courts, a natural turf softball field and two additional natural turf fields. The infrastructure for these campuses includes miles of electrical and internet cable as well as plumbing, grading, fencing and safety measures. These gifts are utilized to preserve a beautiful campus with a focus on enhancing the educational experience, improving safety and augmenting the quality of life for our students, faculty, staff and visitors. Campus enhancement gifts to The Summit Fund are restricted to facilities and free up other monies in the school’s annual operating budget to be directed at the greatest current needs.
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Centers for Excellence Endowed Homan Center for 22 Entrepreneurial Leadership Fund The Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership will be a competitive program offering motivated students at The Summit Country Day School an advantage as they pursue a passion for business in college and beyond. We will offer a best-in-Cincinnati opportunity. The Homan Center will include introductory coursework that covers a range of topics including strategic thinking, value proposition, financial structure, distribution channels, customer segments, etc. The students will participate in an internship at an established Cincinnati business or a start-up firm. To maximize the effectiveness of our graduates in their professional and personal lives, we must equip them with knowledge, skills and experiences they will need to pursue their passion in college and in life. The success of our Science Research Institute has proven that our graduates are sought after by top-tier universities and have a competitive advantage in college when seeking research opportunities because of this unique Summit experience. We will follow that model in the Homan Center. Few seniors applying for admission to college business programs will have this kind of high value experience. With your help, we expect The Summit to produce a new generation of innovators who can meet the needs of an ever-changing business landscape. Endowed by the Homan Family in 2019, additional philanthropic investment opportunities are available for those who would like to endow courses, materials and experiences to advance the center.
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Endowed Schiff Family Science Research Institute Fund
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Our students don’t have to wait until college or graduate school to find out what it’s like to work in a professional lab. At The Summit, real-world research with working scientists happens during high school. Upper School students in the program spend eight weeks in the summer working with a professional researcher. Then they write up their research in scientific journal style, develop their scientific poster and perfect their oral presentation of their work. Some of their posters and presentations have gone on to win prestigious awards. Our Science Research Institute is unique to Cincinnati. Biochemist Jessica Sakash Replogle, Ph.D., leads the program through three sequentially tiered classes and work in research labs. She builds on the foundation of Middle and Upper School science courses to give students a head start when it comes to scientific literacy and a higher education laboratory setting. At The Summit, this is part of how we are turning out scientists. Your teen could be the next to have the chance to author or co-author a scientific, peer-reviewed journal article. Some students have earned full U.S. Patents on their research projects. We accept up to 14 juniors in this highly competitive program. We evaluate applications based on good character, motivation, scientific pursuits outside the classroom, academic performance, work ethic and emotional intelligence. We do not necessarily admit applicants with the longest resume or highest test scores. We take a holistic approach. Endowed by the Schiff Family, additional philanthropic investment opportunities are available for those who would like to endow courses, materials and experiences in support of the institute. INVESTMENT. INVOLVEMENT. IMPACT.
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ENDOWED FOREVER FUNDS Forever Funds are endowments designed to fortify the long-term stability of The Summit through consistent cash flow to The Summit Fund. Investment into a Forever Fund is available through a one-time financial contribution at a lower monetary commitment than our traditional endowments. Forever Funds are impervious to external economic conditions. They serve a two-fold benefit, generating a 4.25 percent on average yield which can be applied yearly to The Summit Fund to offset the annual operating budget while the principal stays intact to generate more funds to be used in the future. The Summit introduced a new portfolio of investment products to our fundraising program in 2020. 22
Endowed Angel Donor Forever Fund
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(Minimum gift commitment of $60,000) The Angel Donor Forever Fund is designed to assist the education of a student who has the potential and the desire to attend Summit but is in need of financial assistance. Over $4 million per year goes towards helping qualified students achieve The Summit advantage. Donors who establish an Angel Donor Forever Fund will be permanently placed in the Leaders of Character Society of The Summit Fund. A minimum investment of $60,000 at 4.25 percent will yield $2,500 yearly for The Summit. Establishing an Angel Donor Forever Fund will allow donors to make a significant impact on the lives of the students who receive their support.
Endowed Sustainer Trustee Forever Fund
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(Minimum gift commitment of $60,000) The Sustainer Trustee Forever Fund aims to continue meaningful relationships with past Summit board members and other Summit champions. Through their membership, past trustees will establish an endowed annual fund gift to The Summit. Members of the Sustainer Trustee Forever Fund serve as a vibrant community of advice and support for our Summit mission. Having the support of past leaders of The Summit is an important message to the community, that the love and passion for the school never ends. Sustainer Trustee Forever Fund members will be recognized in the Impact Report on Philanthropy. A minimum investment of $60,000 at 4.25 percent will yield $2,500 yearly for The Summit.
Endowed Leaders of Character 25 Society Forever Fund (Minimum gift commitment of $25,000)
The Leaders of Character Society (LOCS) sets a pace and tone for giving to The Summit Fund. Your leadership, generosity and trust in the school and its mission assures your membership in LOCS. The newly created LOCS Forever Fund will allow donors to establish a permanent fund that will provide ongoing support to The Summit and permanently establish the donor in our Impact Report on Philanthropy. An investment of $25,000 will generate $1,000 yearly for The Summit. Donors to the LOCS Forever Fund ensure that the values of The Summit mission will carry on forever.
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CAPITAL AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES Leading The Way • Campaign for The Summit
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Capital and Special Initiative funds are utilized to create a beautiful campus with a focus on enhancing the educational experience, improving safety and augmenting the quality of life for our students, faculty, staff and community. Our 24-acre main campus includes the Lower School and Middle School buildings, two dining halls, two exterior and one rooftop playgrounds, state-of-the-art science laboratories in every building, Williams Field, a stadium which can seat more than 900 fans, Thurner Field, the Lower School field, three gymnasiums, a weight room, a facultystaff fitness room, Kyte Theater and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel. Our 16-acre Athletic Complex includes the Athletic Complex Building, a state-of-the-art baseball field, five tennis courts, a natural turf softball field and two additional natural turf fields. The infrastructure for these campuses includes miles of electrical and internet cable as well as plumbing, grading, fencing and safety measures. Capital gifts for campus enhancements help The Summit remain a best-in-class school. Capital gifts can be made to The Summit Fund, our annual giving campaign, or to an endowment which permanently commits the gift to a particular use for the facilities.
CAPITAL UNRESTRICTED FUND (Greatest Need) 27 An unrestricted capital donation allows the school flexibility to use the gift to respond to the school’s greatest needs. Thanks to you and all the families, alumni and friends who make unrestricted contributions, Summit students enjoy enhanced opportunities in all areas of student life and learning.
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ACADEMICS AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS Capital Character-Based Leadership Summer 28 Curriculum Fund (Minimum gift commitment of $75,000 or $15,000 per year for five years.) Developing students’ skills in characterbased leadership is one of the components in our strategic plan. We plan to hire six teachers across all divisions to write lessons during the summer to address opportunities in the curriculum to further develop the students’ empathic listening skills (seek first to understand; put themselves in the shoes of others), their skills in conflict resolution, negotiation, systems thinking and principal-based decision making. We want to put more ethical dilemmas in front of the children to provide them with thinking routines and considerations as they come to a conclusion about the best way to proceed.
Capital Creative 29 Problem-Solving Summer Curriculum Fund (Minimum gift commitment of $50,000 or $10,000 per year for five years.) Developing students’ skills in creative problem-solving is one of the components in our strategic plan. We plan to hire six teachers across all divisions to write lessons during the summer to address opportunities in the curriculum to further develop students’ knowledge and skills in this area. For example, we teach and work with children to develop a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance (failure isn’t a disaster, it’s an opportunity to learn), multiple idea-creation techniques, collaboration skills (being comfortable doing that with people from different cultures and backgrounds), making connections, knowing and using a deliberate design process, demonstrating originality and inventiveness, calculating risk (when is taking a risk warranted and worth taking, and when is it not) and most of all being reflective (what have I learned, and how do I apply that going forward).
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Capital Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund
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(Minimum gift commitment of $75,000 or $15,000 per year for five years.)
Capital Character-Based Leadership Speakers and Experiences Fund
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(Minimum gift commitment of $87,500 or $17,500 per year for five years.) One impactful way to engage students in this work is to go outside the walls of the school and invite experts to share their lessons in leadership using experiences from their careers. It’s a way of bringing the principles of leadership to life. Another way is to provide students opportunities to go outside the school to work on projects in the community whereby they gain firsthand experience in leadership. Executing these approaches to learning will require funds not normally available in the school’s budget.
Being able to understand people’s differences and working to find common ground is at the heart of a lot of conflict resolution. The Summit has been building social justice, anti-bias and civil rights education into the curriculum for many years. To develop scope and sequence of DE&I principles from preschool through grade 12, we adopted and are benchmarking 20 standards grouped into four areas: identity, diversity, justice and action. Two of the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame education – provided to us by the Sisters – echo these standards: “We embrace the gift of diversity” and “We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.” Your gift in support of DE&I will help us continue to develop programs and support. We intend to build programming into The Summit experience to educate our students and provide professional development for our teachers in the area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This may include, but is not limited to, fees and travel for faculty and students to attend the annual People of Color Conference sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools.
Capital Purchase a Van Fund (Minimum gift of $40,000.)
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Purchase of a 15-passenger van would be used to transport small groups of students who are going on field trips, summer camp outings or athletic events – particularly for small teams like golf, tennis, volleyball, wrestling and basketball.
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Capital St. Cecilia Hall Renovations Fund
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Located on the third floor of the Upper School’s west wing, St. Cecilia Hall is part of the original Academy Building which opened in 1890. Named for the patron saint of music, the grand room features floorto-ceiling stained glass windows on both side walls and a stage where countless performances, lectures, presentations and special events have been held over the years. The room features two large murals in arched recesses high above the auditorium floor – painted in the 1900s by Sister Berchmans of Mary and Sister Marie du Saint Esprit. One depicts St. Catherine of Alexandria, patroness of philosophers and the other St. Cecilia’s vision of heavenly harmonies. In the earliest years, St. Cecilia Hall was a place of worship and served as the primary chapel for the community of sisters and school until the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel opened in 1895. Today, St. Cecilia Hall is an integral part of the Upper School space and is often used for presentations to large assemblies of students. This new renovation will expand the size of St. Cecilia Hall and enable us not only to gather the entire Upper school student body, but offer a positive impact on our whole community by creating a “great room” for events and a town hall meeting center for our community. Plans for St. Cecilia Hall include the addition of a mezzanine level to increase seating capacity allowing all Upper School students to gather in one place at the same time for all-division assemblies, presentations and performances. Minimum gift of $2 million.
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PLANNED GIVING Leading The Way • Campaign for The Summit
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Cornerstone Heritage Society The Cornerstone Heritage Society was established to recognize and honor alumni, families and friends who have thoughtfully provided for the future of The Summit Country Day School through their will and/or estate plans. Members of this society provide a solid foundation to secure the future financial strength and security of The Summit. Behind all Summit students and alumni are generations of benefactors who helped to make their education possible. These benefactors believe the mission of The Summit should endure. The mission is rooted in the ideals of its foundresses, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, for more than a century: • Challenge every student to share fully in the gifts they have been given by God • To grow in grace and wisdom • To develop spiritually, academically, physically, socially and artistically • And to be leaders of character You can help The Summit remain strong for generations by making a planned gift. Popular ways to do this are through wills and bequests, an IRA or retirement plan, life insurance or a charitable gift annuity.
Wills and Bequests While there are many ways to establish a lasting legacy with The Summit Country Day School through your estate plan, the most popular method is to simply name The Summit as a beneficiary in your will. The following provides an overview of the nature of a will and its importance to you and your family. What is a will: A will is a legal document expressing your final wishes for all property you own upon your passing. Your will should also include your choice of who
will be responsible for ensuring that the wishes expressed in your will are fulfilled. This chosen person is commonly referred to as the executor, executrix or personal representative. For parents/guardians of minor children, a will allows you to direct the individual (or individuals) who will serve as guardians of your children as well as who will be in charge of funds for the benefit of your children in the event of your passing. What if you don’t have a will: Every state has legal provisions which, in the absence of a will, direct the distribution of a person’s property upon their passing. This is termed dying “intestate” or without a will, and requires a state court to appoint an administrator to oversee the distribution of your estate. While these provisions vary from state to state, they generally call for your closest relatives to receive property owned in your name. For example, a state intestacy law may call for a surviving spouse to inherit 50% of his or her spouse’s assets and the children of the decedent to inherit the remaining 50%. Sometimes, a state intestacy law may accurately reflect your intentions (such as the equal division of your property among your children). Other times, the state laws may call for a distribution that does not reflect your wishes. Only a valid will, accepted by the courts where you reside, will ensure that your final wishes are followed.
Life Insurance If you have a life insurance policy and you no longer need to support your spouse or family, consider leaving a lasting legacy by naming The Summit beneficiary of the policy, providing for The Summit to receive the policy’s death benefit. Make Summit the owner and beneficiary of an existing policy: Instead of simply naming Summit as beneficiary of an INVESTMENT. INVOLVEMENT. IMPACT.
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existing life insurance policy, you transfer full ownership of the policy to Summit. The school receives the policy’s death benefit upon maturity. In addition to removing the value of the policy from your estate for federal estate tax purposes, this approach also provides you with current federal income-tax deductions. Help Summit purchase a new insurance policy on your life: If you wish to make a substantial future gift to Summit at a relatively low cost to you, another alternative is to consider purchasing a new life insurance policy and naming Summit as the policy owner and beneficiary. You then arrange to pay the premiums through gifts to Summit. This approach provides federal income tax deductions and the policy proceeds are not included in your estate for federal estate tax purposes.
IRA or Retirement Plan Designating The Summit as a beneficiary of your IRA or retirement plan is another form of planned giving. The following are a few ideas regarding philanthropic planning with retirement funds: Beneficiary designation. Name The Summit Country Day School, as a beneficiary of unused retirement assets after your lifetime. Charitable organizations are generally exempt from income tax – therefore a charity receiving qualified retirement funds will receive the funds free of income and estate tax. Consider leaving heirs less heavily taxed assets rather than traditional retirement funds. Life income gifts for your heirs. You may direct part or all of your retirement assets to be used to establish a life income gift vehicle for individual heirs. This could involve the creation of a charitable remainder trust to be established upon your passing which will pay income to one or more of your heirs for a term of years or for their lives. The ultimate remainder in the trust will go to the charity of your
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choice. Such a designation will avoid any income taxes on the retirement assets but may involve estate taxes. Consult with an estate planning attorney to further investigate this option. Outright gift. Individuals may also consider outright gifts to The Summit with IRA or other retirement funds. This can be done by either of the two following methods: IRA rollover gifts. For traditional IRA accounts, individuals age 70 and older may direct funds from an IRA to a qualified charitable institution for up to $100,000, without any recognition of taxable income by the donor. The funds must be transferred directly from the IRA account to the charitable recipient, and there is no charitable deduction for this gift since the avoidance of taxable income is the equivalent of a full deduction. An added benefit of the IRA rollover option is that the funds directed to a charity may also discharge a donor of his or her IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), which is an added tax savings if the donor does not wish to incur taxable income from his or her RMDs. Consult your IRA custodian for the required paperwork to make an IRA rollover gift to charity and information on RMDs. Withdrawal and gift. For individuals age 59 and older, it may also be possible to withdraw funds from a qualified retirement account and subsequently contribute those funds to a charitable institution without negative tax consequences. In many cases, the income tax on the funds withdrawn is offset by the charitable income tax deduction. Consult with your CPA or financial advisor to further investigate this option. Many individuals may feel they can’t afford to be charitable during their lives. However, with the creative use of excess retirement assets, they are able provide for their heirs while making a philanthropic
contribution. Additionally, with careful planning, such gifts may help preserve or perhaps even increase the amount of remaining assets available for heirs.
Charitable Gift Annuity A charitable gift annuity is a contract between a donor and Summit with the following terms: As a donor, you make a sizable gift to charity using cash, securities or possibly other assets. In return, you become eligible to take a partial tax deduction for your donation, plus you receive a fixed stream of income from the charity for the rest of your life. How does a charitable gift annuity work? First, you make a donation to Summit. Then, the gift is set aside in a reserve account and invested. Based on your age(s) at the time of the gift, you receive a fixed monthly or quarterly payout (typically supported by the investment account) for the rest of your life. At the end of your life (as well as your spouse’s, if you’re giving as a couple), Summit receives the remainder of the gift. In addition to the income stream, you may also be eligible to take a tax deduction at the time of the original gift, based on the estimated amount that will eventually go to Summit after all the annuity payments have been made. A portion of the payments you receive may also be taxfree for a period of time based on your statistical life expectancy. The planned giving material presented in this gift catalog is not offered as legal or tax advice. For advice or assistance with your particular situation, you should consult an attorney or other professional adviser.
The Benefits of Giving Stock If you are thinking of making a gift to The Summit, you might consider giving a stock, bond or mutual fund instead of cash. Donating appreciated stock is a tax smart option: • You will avoid capital gains tax on the money you made. • You can take a tax deduction for the entire fair market value of the stock, bond or mutual fund by donating the investment directly to the school. • You can potentially donate more to the school compared with what you would have given if you cashed out the stock, paid capital gains and then donated the cash to The Summit. • If you happen to own stock that has appreciated, donating the stock could be a way to balance your portfolio either among your asset classes or between your equities and bonds. • You can indicate how you want the school to use the funds – for example as a gift - you can allow The Summit to determine where the funds can best be put to use. To be eligible for a charitable deduction for a tax year, donations of stock need to be received by the end of the calendar year.
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Our Summit Community Philanthropy is more than just raising money. Just as the funds you give enrich our school, your involvement as volunteers and leaders in the school also makes an impact. As involved parents and alumni, you support our mission to raise children to become leaders of character who value and improve the world they inherit. Please consider volunteering your time and talent to give our children a world-class experience. Summit Parents Association The SPA promotes a strong, integrated and diverse community of parents, faculty, staff and students to enhance the education of our children. Working in concert with the school, the SPA seeks to foster a warm, welcoming and inclusive community for all Summit families. The SPA provides opportunities for parents to connect with one another and make positive contributions through volunteerism. Contact: Judy Toebben jltoebben@gmail.com Summit Boosters Association The Summit Boosters Association advances the mission of The Summit, and specifically, the Athletic Office through financial and volunteer activities. Boosters focus on athlete safety and promoting a great sports environment for our teams. Boosters support athletic teams in grades 7 through 12 and manage youth athletics for kindergarten through grade 6 where sportsmanship, teamwork, skill development and fun are emphasized. Contact: Michael “Yogi” Yagodich Michael.yagodich@bsci.com Admission Parent Ambassadors Parent Ambassadors work with the Admission Office to help recruit new families to The Summit. Ambassadors speak on panels during visitation days, lead tours, make phone calls, and help
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with Parent Preview Days, Montessori Interviews, Campus Day, New Family Welcome Receptions and Open Houses. Contact: Annie Bergeron abergeron@me.com Parent Advancement Network Members work with the Development Office to build relationships throughout the parent community and keep them informed, involved and invested. Contact: Carolyn Karageorges ckarag@outlook.com Alumni Advancement Network Part of the Philanthropy Committee of the Alumni Board, members engage alumni near and far through involvement and investment with The Summit. Contact: Jaime Masters SMS ’98 jaime.masters@gmail.com The Village The Village provides support, guidance and encouragement for students of African ancestry as they pursue excellence in their Summit experience. Members meet periodically, exchange ideas, nurture community and promote The Summit within the greater Cincinnati area. The group gets its name from the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” Contact: Cherie Montgomery montgomerys2002@icloud.com Patrice Tolble ptolble@gmail.com
How much of a difference can your gift make? Every gift, no matter the amount, has an immediate and meaningful impact on The Summit. We have fewer supporters than a university or a large charity, so every gift counts more. Your contribution helps to maintain the quality of a Summit education and helps to ensure the outstanding caliber of our students.
$50
A $50 gift could cover the cost of a ball, net, warm-up top, game socks or water bottles for athletic teams.
$25 A $25 gift could buy art supplies for a Montessori classroom.
$100
A $100 gift could buy a resource book for the Lower or Middle School libraries.
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$2,50
$500
A $500 gift to the Hardship Fund could provide a student with a hot spot for remote learning.
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H A R AC T E FC R CIE
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$5,00
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$2,500 annually for five years could sponsor a child in the Angel Donor program.
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$1,0
$1,000 annually for five years will place you as a member in the Leaders of Character Society. $5,000 annually for five years could establish an Endowed Forever Fund. Whether you choose to give to The Summit Fund, establish an endowed fund or provide a capital gift, know your gift is an investment that truly pays off. Because of you, The Summit can support student scholarships, faculty-staff development and construction and renovation projects. Your investment and involvement provide an impact on our school’s success today and for generations to come. INVOLVEMENT. INVESTMENT. IMPACT.
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Development Committee Beth Bissmeyer, Missy (Segal) Fox ‘88, Megan Funk ‘13, Bing Hinton, Sam Huttenbauer, Carolyn Karageorges, Allison (Hiltz) Kropp ‘93, Josh Lorentz, Katie (Homan) O’Brien ‘99, Kelley Schiess, Joel Stone, Judy Toebben, Rich Wilson, Mike “Yogi” Yagodich. Contact: joshua.lorentz@dinsmore.com
Summit Community Summit Parents Association • Judy Toebben, jltoebben@gmail.com Summit Boosters Association • Michael “Yogi” Yagodich, Michael.yagodich@bsci.com Admission Parent Ambassadors • Annie Bergeron, abergeron@me.com Parent Advancement Network • Carolyn Karageorges, ckarag@outlook.com Alumni Advancement Network • Jaime Masters SMS ’98, jaime.masters@gmail.com The Village • Cherie Montgomery, montgomerys2002@icloud.com and Patrice Tolble, ptolble@gmail.com
Development Staff Jim Jackson Chief Philanthropy Executive (513) 871-4700 x242 jackson_j@summitcds.org
Michele Duda Development Director (513) 871-4700 x243 duda_m@summitcds.org
Mark Osborne Alumni Engagement and Gifts Officer (513) 871-4700 x240 osborne_m@summitcds.org
Lauren Flowers-Neal Annual Fund Engagement Officer (513) 871-4700 x246 flowers_l@summitcds.org
Sandy Champlin Advancement Services Manager (513) 871-4700 x244 champlin_s@summitcds.org
Laura Wulker Advancement Services Manager (513) 871-4700 x237 wulker_l@summitcds.org
Marci Miller Advancement Services Manager (513) 871-4700 x241 miller_m@summitcds.org
Ryan Glass ‘11 Communications & Development Manager (513) 871-4700 x269 glass_r@summitcds.org
The Summit Country Day School 2161 Grandin Road | Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 www.summitcds.org/giving 36