Opportunities to Give and Get Involved: A Guide for Lawrenceville Parents
Dear Fellow Parents, We are pleased to welcome you to the parent community at Lawrenceville. Whether you are a new or returning parent, or the parent of a Lawrenceville graduate, we invite you to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in the life of the School. We can guarantee that your contributions will be rewarded with sincere appreciation and the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference in the lives of some of the finest young people anywhere – our children. Parents at Lawrenceville, like their children, embody a world of perspectives, and whether you are a boarding or day family, we hope you will consider how your time and talents might contribute to your child’s experience. Lawrenceville has always believed that the success of the School is a collective effort, and we hope this guide will help you learn about the multiple ways you can become involved in our dynamic community. Like generations of parents before you, your participation and generosity will help to sustain the academic rigor and fundamental values that define the Lawrenceville experience. Each year, Lawrenceville parents are asked to support that experience through The Lawrenceville Parents Fund. As the Parents Fund co-chairs, we are pleased to lead this effort and proud of what we accomplish for our children. Again, we extend a very warm welcome, and we look forward to having you join us in our endeavors. Sincerely,
Danielle Bentsen P’17 ’20 ’21
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Mark Thierfelder P’19 ’22
Parents Fund Co-Chairs
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Fidelma Woodley P’13 ’14 ’20
Opportunities to Volunteer L The Lawrenceville Parents Fund Committee We are a committee of parent volunteers who actively promote support for The Lawrenceville Parents Fund, an essential component of the School’s annual giving campaign. The Parents Fund contributes to every aspect of a Lawrenceville education, enriching the intellectual, social, and personal development of every student, every day. If you are interested in volunteering for the Committee, please contact Abby McCall, Director of The Lawrenceville Parents Fund, at amccall@lawrenceville.org or (609) 895-2238. The Parents Fund Committee Co-Chairs
Danielle Bentsen P’17 ’20 ’21 • daniellebentsen@yahoo.com Mark Thierfelder P’19 ’22 • Mark.Thierfelder@Dechert.com
Fidelma Woodley P’13 ’14 ’20 • fidelmawoodley@yahoo.com
L Parents at Lawrenceville Parents at Lawrenceville (P@L) plays a vital role at School by involving parents in their children’s educational journey. Joining a P@L committee is a great way to get involved and stay informed about the remarkable things happening in and around Lawrenceville. To learn more about opportunities with P@L, please contact Dorothy Quinn, Director of Special Events and Parent Programs, at dquinn@lawrenceville.org. P@L Co-Presidents
Carrie Dyckman P’17 ’20 • carriedyckman@mac.com Pamela Johnson P’17 ’19 • poncejoh@yahoo.com
L P@L Committees Admission • Athletics • Common Ground • Community Service • House Parents • Multicultural • Parent Partners • Support for International Students • Support for the Arts
More information about each committee can be found at lawrenceville.org/parents.
Opportunities to Give As an independent school, Lawrenceville depends solely on tuition, endowment income, charitable support, and income from auxiliary programs, such as summer camps and summer school, to accomplish its mission. Since tuition and fees only provide about 60% of Lawrenceville’s operating budget, the School relies on donations to fund critical attributes – scholarship support, a low student/faculty ratio, exceptional student activities, and firstrate facilities – as well as to sustain important Lawrenceville traditions, such as Harkness teaching and the residential House system. Lawrenceville’s success has been the direct result of a tradition of generous gifts both large and small, and the impact of this support is evident throughout our campus. Gifts from current parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff and friends deliver the margin of difference that distinguishes a Lawrenceville education. The opportunities for support address a range of needs and preferences, from unrestricted giving to The Lawrenceville Parents Fund to capital and endowed gifts for specific purposes.
L The Lawrenceville Parents Fund The Lawrenceville Parents Fund provides unrestricted support for the operations of the School, helping Lawrenceville achieve its mission and sustain the advantages that enrich our students’ lives. The Parents Fund typically makes up one-third of the gifts to The Lawrenceville Fund, Lawrenceville’s annual fund, which in turn comprises 10% of the School’s operating budget. Last year, The Lawrenceville Parents Fund supported a wide range of programs and activities:
• Harkness teaching and learning • House and residential activities • Athletic team expenses • Arts and cultural initiatives • Faculty support and professional development • Financial aid • Extracurricular and student life programming
Like other independent schools, Lawrenceville counts on unrestricted, currentuse annual fund gifts to support each of the School’s 818 students and the daily work of faculty and staff. During the academic year, each student essentially receives a $20,000 subsidy, drawn from the annual fund and income from the School’s endowment, representing most of the difference between tuition and the actual cost of a Lawrenceville education. In 2017-2018, the Lawrenceville Parents Fund contributed $1,922,131 to the School’s operating budget. Gifts at every level have an immediate impact and represent a collective effort to support the life of the School. Pledges are payable by June 30; however, many families choose to make their annual fund gift before December 31 to take advantage of a tax deduction in the current calendar year. Lawrenceville seeks to achieve 70% participation in the Parents Fund, a figure in line with many of our peer schools.
L Capital and Endowment Support Restricted gifts – gifts for specific purposes – are crucial to bolstering longterm support of essential priorities and strategic initiatives. From significant support of a building or renovation project, to supporting an endowed fund for faculty or financial aid, capital and endowed gifts are defined by their enduring nature. Income from endowed funds provided approximately 27 percent of Lawrenceville’s 2017-2018 operating budget. Facilities initiatives such as the recently completed renovation of Abbott Dining Hall, restoration of the Bowl, and current expansion of the Gruss Center, and endowed programs like the Hutchins Scholars and Welles Grants, were funded through the generosity of parents, alumni and friends. Gifts to these capital projects and endowment initiatives are typically made in addition to support of The Lawrenceville Parents Fund and can be paid over an extended period of time, up to five years.
Giving Made Simple Lawrenceville thrives thanks to the generosity of the many alumni, parents and friends who make our School a philanthropic priority. We rely on your support to fund the programs and initiatives that distinguish the “Lawrenceville Experience” – an education like no other. We offer a variety of options for making a gift.
L Outright Gifts We accept cash, checks, credit cards, wired funds, and stocks or other securities. Gifts may be made in honor or in memory of a teacher, coach, or loved one, and gifts to The Lawrenceville Parents Fund may be made as a single gift or in recurring payments over the course of the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The School’s website at www.lawrenceville.org/giving offers the convenience of secure online giving. To learn more, please contact Abby McCall, Director of The Lawrenceville Parents Fund, at (609) 895-2238 or by email at amccall@lawrenceville.org.
L Matching Gifts An employer’s matching gift program can be a great way to double or even triple your gift. Simply request a matching gift form from your employer and send it completed and signed with your gift. We will do the rest. Some companies also match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, please go to www.lawrenceville. org/matching.
L Multi-year Pledges We recognize that making a larger gift to support a capital project or endowed program is a significant commitment. Donors who wish to contribute to one of these initiatives may spread payments over three to five years. The Lawrenceville Parents Fund can also accept multi-year pledges. Parents may choose to spread their pledge over the duration of their child’s attendance at Lawrenceville. If you are interested in establishing a permanent, named endowed fund or learning more about Lawrenceville’s capital priorities, please contact Erin Graham, Director of Development, at (609) 895-2134 or by email at egraham@lawrenceville.org, or Greg Carter, Director of Major Gifts, at (609) 895-2114 or by email at gcarter@lawrenceville.org.
L Planned Giving Planned gifts can help the School meet current goals or fund long-term priorities and may offer significant tax and income benefits to the donor. Planned gifts may come through bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, IRAs, life insurance policies, or transfers of estate and business interests. All participants in Lawrenceville’s planned giving program are recognized as members of the John Cleve Green Society. Jerry Muntz, Director of Planned Giving, is available to discuss these and other estate planning tools, and can be reached at (609) 620-6064 or by email at jmuntz@lawrenceville.org.
Frequently Asked Questions Why does Lawrenceville need my support? Tuition alone accounts for only about 60% of the cost of a Lawrenceville education. As an independent school, Lawrenceville does not receive funding from the state or federal government. Each year, The Lawrenceville Fund and The Lawrenceville Parents Fund make up about 10% of the School’s operating budget. Experiences that make Lawrenceville unique, such as Harkness teaching, House activities, financial aid, athletics, faculty support, and the arts, are made possible by gifts from alumni, parents and friends, as well as endowment income and other support.
I already pay tuition. Why should I participate in The Lawrenceville Parents Fund? The Lawrenceville Parents Fund plays an essential, fundamental role in the character of Lawrenceville, helping to address the School’s most urgent annual priorities. The Fund supports the School’s operating budget by offsetting expenses not covered by tuition and endowment income. The Lawrenceville Parents Fund has an immediate impact on each student and faculty member at Lawrenceville, as well as every program on campus.
Who gives to the Lawrenceville Fund? Everyone in the Lawrenceville community – trustees, alumni, current families and parents of graduates – is asked to make an unrestricted gift to The Lawrenceville Fund, which includes The Lawrenceville Parents Fund, each year by June 30.
How much does Lawrenceville expect me to give? The Lawrenceville Parents Fund receives gifts ranging from $100,000 down to $5 to close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a Lawrenceville education. Gifts of $1,000 or less collectively accounted for $223,674 toward the record-breaking 2017-2018 total of $1,922,131, underscoring the vital importance of gifts at all levels.
What is the difference between The Lawrenceville Fund and Capital/Endowment gifts? Gifts to The Lawrenceville Fund are solicited annually and are used entirely in support of the current year’s operating budget. Gifts to capital projects and the endowment are restricted to a specific purpose and fund long-term projects to support the School’s facilities, programs and strategic priorities.
Lawrenceville has a large endowment. Why do they need my gift? While Lawrenceville’s endowment is substantial, endowment per student places us sixth among our eight Northeast boarding school peers. Endowment per student is a direct measure of our ability to sustain our campus operations. In order for Lawrenceville to provide critical financial flexibility, support academic departments, and remain competitive with our peer schools, we need to grow our annual giving program, both in participation and dollars raised, while also increasing our endowment.
What is considered a Leadership gift? Leadership gifts are critical to the success of The Lawrenceville Fund and The Lawrenceville Parents Fund each year. Membership in the Red and Black Leadership Society begins at $2,500.
How are donors and volunteers recognized? All donors and volunteers are recognized annually in the Report of Giving, which is published electronically each fall. Additionally, members of The Red and Black Leadership Society are invited to a special reception with the Head Master during the year. Donors to capital initiatives and the endowment may choose to name scholarships, faculty positions, or physical spaces on campus.
Additional Questions? To make a gift, volunteer, or get more information, please contact Alex McDowell, Director of Parent Giving, at (609) 895-2182, or Abby McCall, Director of The Lawrenceville Parents Fund, at (609) 895-2238, or stop by our office in Hogate Hall (behind Kirby Arts Center and Noyes History Center). The co-chairs of The Lawrenceville Parents Fund are also happy to provide information and answer questions.
Calendar of Events L
Fall
October 11-12
Fall Musical
October 12-13
Parents’ Weekend
October 21
Community Potluck
October 24
Reception for Current Parents
November 3
Hill Day (at Hill)
L
Winter
December 2
Jazz Concert
December 9
Orchestral Concert
January 25-27
Winterfest
February 2-3
Winter Gathering
February 15
Broadway Cabaret
February 16
Allegro Show
February 22-23
Second Form Shakespeare Performance
L
Spring
April 5
Jazz Concert
April 12
Spring Choral Concert
April 18
Spring Orchestral Concert
May 30
Senior Prom
June 1-2 Commencement Weekend
These are just a few of the many events happening on campus during the academic year. Please visit www.lawrenceville.org/calendar to confirm event details and for more information on School events.
THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL • 2500 MAIN STREET • LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ 08648 609-896-0400 • www.lawrenceville.org