PA R E N T G U I D E TO G IVI N G A N D G E T T I N G I NVO LVE D
Parenthood is a remarkable journey filled with love, learning, and
makes a significant difference in ensuring that every student
more than its share of plot twists. As your family embarks on this
receives an exceptional education.
new, exciting adventure, we are thrilled to have you as a member of our Pingry community. We are grateful for the wonderful partnership we have with our Pingry families, and we encourage your active participation in the life of our school. We all have important roles to play in our shared Pingry experience, and your passport to all that Pingry has to offer is simply your willingness to jump right in and get involved. Parents play a vital role in shaping their child’s educational journey. And your involvement in school activities, events, and volunteer opportunities enhances your child’s experience and strengthens our school community. In addition to your active participation in our school community, we also invite and welcome your support of The Pingry Fund, our most
Thank you for trusting Pingry with the privilege of educating your child. We are excited about beginning this journey with your family, and we look forward to building a strong and enduring partnership that will benefit your child and our entire school community. If you have any questions or would like more information about getting involved with our school community or participating in The Pingry Fund, please reach out to Cecily Allison, our Assistant Director of Development, Annual Giving and Parent Engagement, at callison@pingry.org or 908-647-5555, ext. 1221. We are honored to have you as a new member of our school community—it marks the beginning of what I hope will be your
important fundraising initiative each year. The Pingry Fund
family’s lifelong relationship with our incredible school.
is truly the financial cornerstone of our ability to do more
Welcome to Pingry!
for our students and faculty, and its impact is immediate. The Pingry Fund allows us to provide financial assistance to talented students, invest in innovative programs, and maintain worldclass facilities. Every gift to The Pingry Fund, regardless of size,
Tim Lear Head of School
Financial Overview Pingry’s operating budget comes from tuition, endowment income, auxiliary programs, and charitable income. The School relies on the philanthropic support of the entire Pingry community, because tuition alone does not cover the cost of a Pingry student.
R EVE N U ES
88.6%
E XP E N S ES
5% 6.4%
3% 64% 18%
15%
Tuition, Fees, & Auxiliary Endowment Distribution
Salaries and Benefits
Instructional and Student Services
Plant, Operations, and Capital Investment
General Administration
The Pingry Fund
STAY CO N N ECT E D
The Pingry Parent online portal can be accessed via portals.veracross.com/pingry/parent. On the parent portal, you will find: student academics; sports and event schedules; faculty, staff, and student directories; event registration; announcements; and other resources needed to guide you and your student through the school year.
The Pingry School Parents’ Association (PSPA) As the official parent/guardian organization of Pingry, the Pingry School Parents’ Association has one objective in mind: To increase involvement and create a sense of belonging for all members of the Pingry community. The PSPA is a financially self-sustaining organization, and all parents/guardians of current students are considered members. The PSPA is overseen by a 14-member PSPA Executive Board, which consists of six elected positions and eight positions appointed by the PSPA President, and meets monthly. What is the best way to get involved? Volunteer! Your contributions count and it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and feel connected to our community.
pingry.org/pspa
Parent Volunteer Opportunities THE PINGRY FUND PARENT COMMITTEE Parent volunteers play a vital role in the success of The Pingry Fund. Participate by reaching out to peers and encouraging them to make their gift. Key Responsibilities: • Contact 10 – 12 families to share your reasons for giving and ask them to join you in making a gift • Spread the word about the significance of Ring the Bell: Pingry’s Annual Celebration of Giving and ask families to make their best gift during the 48-hour celebration • Thank families for their gift by email or a handwritten note SENIOR FAMILY BARBEQUE, CO-CHAIRS AND COMMITTEE Each fall, the Development team hosts a barbeque dinner for senior families to kick off the school year! The co-chairs and committee members help plan the evening to ensure it is a memorable experience as seniors embark on their final year as Pingry students. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, EVENT VOLUNTEERS Each year during Friday Night Lights, Pingry welcomes over 1,500 guests to the Basking Ridge Campus! Join us for the evening and sign up for a 30-minute shift. Assignments include welcoming guests, distributing snacks and swag, and supervising student clean-up volunteers!
SENIOR STARS UNDER THE STARS, CO-CHAIRS AND COMMITTEE Help us celebrate Pingry seniors at the annual Senior Stars Under the Stars event held each spring. The event co-chairs and committee members help plan the event and encourage student participation to ensure it is a memorable experience for seniors and their parents. CELEBRATE PINGRY!, EVENT VOLUNTEERS Each year during Celebrate Pingry!, Pingry welcomes over 2,000 guests to come together for an evening of fireworks, food trucks, and fun! Join us for the evening and sign up for a 30-minute shift. Assignments include welcoming guests, distributing snacks and swag, and supervising student clean-up volunteers. LIFERS BREAKFAST, CO-CHAIRS AND COMMITTEE At Pingry, a “Lifer” is a student who has attended Pingry from Kindergarten through Form VI. Each year, leading up to Commencement, Pingry hosts a breakfast to acknowledge these students and their families. The event co-chairs and committee members are Form V parents who help plan the event and ensure a good time! If you have questions or would like to volunteer with the Office of Institutional Advancement, please email Assistant Director of Development, Annual Giving and Parent Engagement Cecily Allison at callison@pingry.org.
A D M I S S I O N S VO LU N T E E RS Help us to welcome families to Pingry throughout the admissions and enrollment process! The Enrollment Management office partners with volunteers to serve as ambassadors of the school at Open Houses, weekly visiting applicant receptions, Accepted Student Days, and more. The current parent perspective is extremely valuable as applicant families seek to learn more about our community and the student experience. Volunteer commitments vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours and occur throughout the school year. If you have questions or would like to volunteer with the Enrollment Management Office, please email Frederique (Freddy) Schachter ’96, P ’27, ’30, ’33 at fschachter@pingry.org.
O F F I C E O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L A D VA N C E M E N T
LEADERSHIP DONORS ARE RECOGNIZED IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT OF GIVING AND AT DONOR RECEPTIONS AND HEAD OF SCHOOL DINNERS.
Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities to Give
L E AD E RS H I P G IVI N G S O CI E T I ES
THE PINGRY FUND The Pingry Fund is the School’s top fundraising priority and we ask every family to make a gift on an annual basis. The dollars raised offset the costs associated with the exceptional education that Pingry provides. Pingry does not host events with a fundraising component to benefit The Pingry Fund; rather, we rely on parent volunteers to encourage participation at various times throughout the school year.
We deeply value the role that our leadership donors play in the success of delivering the best educational experiences possible for our students. As a leadership donor, you become a crucial partner in shaping the future of our institution and empowering the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.
RING THE BELL: PINGRY’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GIVING October 25 and 26, 2023
Over the span of 48 hours, we ask that every member of the Pingry community make their best gift to The Pingry Fund. In 2022, Ring the Bell raised $1.3 million dollars in 48 hours! It’s a time to show our collective support and confidence in Pingry’s mission and the value of a Pingry education. Join us as we come together to celebrate, in support of our school, faculty and students! MATCHING GIFTS If you require assistance applying for a matching gift or have any questions, please contact Director of Advancement Services Derrick Shearer at dshearer@pingry.org or 908-647-5555 ext. 1265.
THE HEAD OF SCHOOL’S CIRCLE $25,000 AND ABOVE THE JOHN F. PINGRY SOCIETY $20,000 – $24,999 THE MASTER’S CIRCLE $15,000 – $19,999 THE REVERENTIA ASSOCIATES $10,000 – $14,999 THE HONOR COUNCIL $5,000 – $9,999 THE MAGISTRI FELLOWS $2,500 – $4,999 THE FOUNDER’S SOCIETY $1,861 – $2,499
FAQs WHY DOES PINGRY NEED TO RAISE MONEY? The Pingry Fund provides roughly 5% of the School’s operating revenue and addresses short-term needs while supporting long-term initiatives. This forward-looking approach ensures that Pingry can adapt and grow to meet the evolving needs of its students. Annual gifts create a vital source of financial support that allows Pingry to provide a transformative education to its students, uphold its mission, and invest in a sustainable and inclusive future. It plays a central role in the School’s ability to offer a well-rounded education that prepares students for success. HOW MUCH SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE EACH YEAR? We encourage each family to consider a contribution that holds personal meaning and aligns with their financial circumstances. The Pingry Fund does not organize events with fundraising components and once a family has made their contribution to The Pingry Fund, they will not receive additional Pingry Fund solicitations. WHY IS PARENT PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT? Participation is a vote of confidence in Pingry’s mission and a vote of support for the value of a Pingry education. Your participation with a gift of any size demonstrates your acknowledgement of Pingry’s importance in your family’s life.
2023-24 EVENTS September 13 Last First Day Senior Family BBQ September 20 1861 Leadership Society Reception September 28 PSPA All-Parent & Guardian Meeting September 30 Homecoming October 20 Friday Night Lights October 25 & 26 Ring the Bell: Pingry’s Annual Celebration of Giving December 1 New York City Reception May 3 Senior Stars Under the Stars May 3 Celebrate Pingry! May 30 PSPA All-Parent & Guardian Meeting June 6 Lifers’ Breakfast July 13 Jersey Shore Reception
FOR MORE INFORMATION , CONTACT : Jane Hoffman ’94, P ’26, ’27, ’28 Director of Development jhoffman@pingry.org Cecily Allison Assistant Director of Development, Annual Fund and Parent Relations callison@pingry.org