2023 Whitefield Academy Guide to Giving

WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!

Dear Whitefield Academy Family,

More than 25 years ago, Whitefield was founded on prayer and generous giving. Philanthropy continues to be a critical component that allows our mission to come to life through every aspect of the school – from the classroom to the athletic fields to the performing arts to small groups that gather on and off campus. Whitefield continues to make an impact beyond graduation as alumni go on to college and life with a passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus. Whitefield Academy could not exist without the support and prayer of the Whitefield family – from our alumni to current families, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends. We thank God for you!

I invite you to learn more about how you and your family can make an impact at Whitefield with this “Guide to Giving.” With so many ways to engage, we hope this overview of Whitefield’s giving opportunities will help you plan and determine the most meaningful way for you and your family to get involved.

Inside, you will find information about Whitefield’s annual giving priority, the Whitefield Fund, which we ask every family to support. In addition, you’ll find more information on independent school fundraising and how generous giving is changing lives for both the giver and the recipient. Investing in Whitefield is investing in furthering God’s kingdom and supporting the next generation of Christian leaders. We invite you to join others in supporting, partnering, and serving together in seeing “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Every family is a critical part of the Whitefield community and each play a role in sustaining and growing our culture of community and continuing the foundation on which Whitefield was established – prayer and financial generosity.

Philanthropy at work is evident by Whitefield’s ability to provide professional development for faculty and staff, financial aid assistance, construction of expanded and new athletic facilities, as well as permanent academic buildings. We pray that you will identify ways to give that are meaningful to you. We invite you to reach out to the Development Department at 678-305-1378 with questions or for more information.

Thank you for investing in the Whitefield community.

God bless,

Lauren C. Race, Director of Development lrace@whitefieldacademy.com • 678-305-3042

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

PHILANTHROPY AT WHITEFIELD ACADEMY

Philanthropy plays an important role in all independent schools. Whitefield Academy is no exception. Whitefield was founded on prayer and generous giving more than 25 years ago. It continues to be a critical component to the mission and ensures Whitefield is able to provide a Christ-centered educational experience that bolsters Christian families.

WHAT IT IS FREQUENCY

Whitefield Fund (annual fund)

Annually

WHAT IT FUNDS REAL LIFE EQUIVALENT WHAT IT DOES

Supports items and programs that enhance student experience

Capital Campaigns

Periodically

Funds new buildings and renovations not covered in operating budget

Student programs, 10% invested in financial aid endowment each year and supports faculty and coach wish-list items

Brick-and-mortar projects

A checking account

Putting an addition on the home you already own

Endowment

Periodically

Takes the pressure off the operating budget and tuition

Faculty development, enrichment programs, and financial aid

An investment account that produces dividends or interest

Legacy Society (planned gifts)

Georgia GOAL

Once in a lifetime

Annually

Helps ensure Whitefield Academy’s financial future

Allows Georgia taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state tax liability to Whitefield for financial aid

Endowment or donor’s choice

Financial aid for qualifying families

WHITEFIELD INVESTORS/DONORS

Current Families

Parents of Alumni

Foundations

Grandparents

Retirement plan

Tax credit

WHAT DOES IT REALLY COST? REVENUE

Tuition & Fees: 90%

Whitefield Fund: 4%

Georgia GOAL: 1%

Other: 5%

EXPENSES

Salaries & Benefits: 61%

Operations, Maintenance, & Contract Labor: 16%

Technology & General Administration: 13%

Student Activities & School Programs: 7%

Debt Service: 3%

The Whitefield Fund is Whitefield Academy’s most important giving priority. This annual fund provides support to every area of the school and is critical in ensuring our school continues to grow and thrive. The Whitefield Fund allows us to continue growing while staying true to the vision the founders had for Whitefield. Please help us keep our family strong with your support for the Whitefield Fund.

Support of the Whitefield Fund demonstrates the commitment to the school’s mission; we encourage each family to give at whatever amount you feel God is calling you. The only gift too small is no gift at all.

“Fromtechnologytotheartsand fromathleticstostaffdevelopment, theWhitefieldFundprovidesa hostofopportunitiestoenhance the Christ-centered environment whereourkidsthrive.Everyfamily thatparticipateshasanimpactno matterthedollaramount,andthe Whitefieldcommunityreallydoes shinewhenthisopportunitycomes aroundeveryyear.Wehappily supporttheWhitefieldFundinits effortstocontinuethegrowthofnot onlyourchildrenbutallWhitefield familiesasacommunityinChrist.”

Jonathan & Dannette Watson, 2023-24 Whitefield Fund Chairs, parents of Liam ‘32

EVERY Gift. EVERY Family. EVERY Year.

MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

WHITEFIELD FUND AT A GLANCE

WHITEFIELD FUND AT A GLANCE

• Whitefield Fund gift is 100% tax-deductible.

• Whitefield Fund gift is 100% tax-deductible.

• Whitefield Fund donors may choose to direct their annual giving donation to a specific area of the school’s operations that they find most meaningful: athletics, faculty enrichment, fine arts, student life, technology, spiritual growth, or an area of greatest need.

• Whitefield Fund donors may choose to direct their annual giving donation to a specific area of the school’s operations that they find most meaningful: athletics, faculty enrichment, fine arts, student life, technology, spiritual growth, or an area of greatest need.

• All families are asked to support the Whitefield Fund and will receive a request for support each fall during a six-week campaign. All payments are due by May 31 the following year.

• All families are asked to support the Whitefield Fund and will receive a request for support each fall during a four-week campaign. All pledge payments are due by June 15 the following year.

WHITEFIELD FUND LEADERSHIP GIVING CIRCLES

WHITEFIELD FUND LEADERSHIP GIVING CIRCLES

Every gift is important, no matter what amount. We do have opportunities for Whitefield Fund Leadership Giving donors to connect at an annual Whitefield Fund Appreciation event and a Spring Coffee and Conversation event to celebrate the exceptional generosity of these individuals. Leadership Giving levels are:

Every gift is important, no matter what amount. We do have opportunities for Whitefield Fund Leadership Giving donors to connect at an annual Whitefield Fund Appreciation event and a Spring Coffee and Conversation event to celebrate the exceptional generosity of these individuals. Leadership Giving levels are:

• Head of School Circle ($10,000+)

• Trustee Circle ($9,999-$5,000)

• 1997 Society ($4,999-$1,997)

CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS

Whitefield Academy continues to hold fast to its founding vision and core values of academic excellence, covenantal education, enrollment reflecting the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity within the body of Christ, effective servant leadership, faithful stewardship, and modeling excellent Christian education. Whitefield’s strategic plan aims to serve a 1,200 student body that is large enough for each student to participate in a variety of programs, but small enough that each student is known and is recognized for their God-given gifts and talents. In 2015, The Whitefield Academy Board of Trustees approved a master plan that would meet the facility needs of a 1,200 student body.

The master plan below illustrates what has been built to date and what is planned for the future. These projects transform the way in which students experience a Christ-centered education. Whitefield plans and implements capital campaign initiatives to raise funds for brick-and-mortar projects to complete the master plan.

Current Campus

Future Plans

The campus exists today because of the generous giving of those before and the legacy of their giving continues to impact generations of the WolfPack. Capital campaign gifts are typically paid over a multi-year pledge period and are separate from annual giving.

Capital Campaign History:

Nehemiah Campaign (1996-2000) –

Raised nearly $19 million to purchase and establish Whitefield’s current campus and build the first academic building, Founders Hall, as well as the Athletic Center.

Moving Forward in Faith (2004-2007) – Raised $7 million to build the Lower School Student Activity Center, concessions facilities for WolfPack Stadium, renovation of the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC), the Grand Amphitheater, and the Whitmire Pavillion.

Building for the Future (2009-2012) –Raised $13 million to build Morris Hall and install a turf field in WolfPack Stadium.

Leaving a Legacy (2014-2020) - Raised $24 million to build Brostrand Hall, WolfPack Den, six additional tennis courts, and land acquisition.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Whitefield is grateful for all supporters. Meet the Edwards family - parents Jonathan and Lyndi, with their children Braelynn (‘31), Lyla (‘32), and Maddy Jo (‘36).

What does generosity mean to you and your family?

The Edwards Family

Being generous reminds our family that everything comes from God and everything belongs to God. We’re just stewards of the resources with which he has blessed us. And we get to give what’s already His to invest in His purpose for our lives, our community, and the whole world—to spread the gospel and bring people to Him. In a world of excess, generosity keeps us grounded, clear-eyed, and others-focused. It helps us fight against our own selfish tendencies.

How does your faith play a role in your giving?

Faith fuels our giving. It is center-stage in how we consider where to invest financially and with our time. We desire that our gifts impact the world for God’s will for people, whether for children, the homeless, human trafficking, Christian education, or bible translation.

How do you teach your children the importance of giving?

One simple, practical way we teach our children about the importance of giving is the $5 tithe they each take from the envelopes in their rooms to church, where they’re responsible for weekly giving. In a digital age where most giving now happens online, this practice creates a routine for them to understand and remember through a physical act how they are to view and how they can use their resources for the good of others and the local church.

Why do you give of your time, talent, and gifts?

For our family, generosity isn’t just about financial resources; it’s about sharing all the gifts we’ve been blessed with, including deploying our creative, organizational, or marketplace skills in a way that benefits others. Time is our most precious resource, and many organizations are thirsting for marketplace leaders to give of their time and talents to further their mission. Invested time can go a long way to helping those organizations move forward with excellence.

What does giving through a biblical lens mean to you?

God was first generous with us. He gave us His son when we deserved death. As Christ followers, we’re also called to give. It has been said that, at the end, your life will be measured by how much of it you gave away. If true, then that lens makes giving a bit easier and ensures we’re storing up treasures where it matters.

How has giving back impacted you and your family?

Giving has strengthened our family in many ways. First, it has engendered financial discipline. Second, it has created alignment in our marriage about how we view our financial resources. Third, giving has allowed us to model for our kids—both with our money and time—how to shun the temptation to focus only on yourself. Finally, we’ve seen God’s faithfulness in our giving; his return on our investment far exceeds the best returns you can get in the marketplace and has connected us in deep, meaningful relationships with the people with which we serve.

THE WHITEFIELD ACADEMY AUCTION

The Whitefield Academy Auction has become the largest parent/grandparent only, school-wide event. The auction is hosted every other year and gives the school an opportunity to celebrate and raise money that is invested back into the faculty and staff that make an impact each day on our students! Funds raised are designated for professional development opportunities and support an endowment for stipends that are given to those who go above and beyond the classroom. Families can participate by sponsoring the event, buying individual tickets, donating auction items as well as serving in a volunteer capacity for the event. The 2023-2024 auction will be on Saturday, February 24 at The Roxy Theater, located in The Battery. We hope to see you there!

ENDOWMENT GIVING

Endowment giving offers an opportunity to create a lasting legacy. Endowment gifts are not spent; they are invested in perpetuity, with the income providing annual funding support for Whitefield’s top priorities. It ensures Whitefield Academy is able to sustain its vision and offers flexibility during challenging economic times.

Endowment funds provide a source of ongoing support for Whitefield Academy’s operations, including financial aid, faculty salaries, professional development, facility maintenance, and other general expenses. Whitefield Academy’s current endowment is $2.95 million. Endowment funds are, in a very tangible way, a gift from those who have loved Whitefield Academy to the generations of students who will experience Whitefield for years to come. Please contact Lauren Race, Director of Development, if you are interested in giving to the endowment or setting up an endowment fund.

PLANNED GIVING

The Whitefield Academy Legacy Society celebrates and honors families who have included Whitefield Academy in their wills or through other estate plans.

There are many other planned giving options available that allow an individual to benefit from current income, capital gains, and estate tax laws. These charitable choices can benefit you, your family, and the mission of Whitefield Academy, leaving a legacy for generations to come. These gifts can be done through a will, your IRA, and through a number of special charitable trusts. Often the most impactful and significant of a donor’s lifetime, planned gifts do not affect current cash flow and many provide tax-favorable benefits, even income, to the donor and beneficiaries.

Join the Legacy Society by contacting Paige Perdue, Associate Director of Development. It is not necessary to share the expected gift value. Unless specifically designated, planned gifts received by the school support the general endowment fund. If you have included Whitefield in your estate planning, please let us know. Your membership in the Legacy Society demonstrates your commitment to the mission of Whitefield Academy - a mission to raise men and women who will go on to college and life with a passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus.

AFFINITY PROGRAMS

Your everyday purchases can benefit Whitefield Academy when you participate in one or all of these programs!

Awards are based on the cumulative spending of each school’s participants. Help us boost our Publix Partners donations – register at publix.com and select Whitefield Academy. At checkout, enter your phone number on the keypad. It’s really that easy! Proceeds from Publix Partners benefits our missions trips!

Download the Box Tops for Education app and scan your receipt for eligible purchases. Whitefield Academy will receive 10 cents per purchase!

Link your Kroger card to Whitefield Academy and each time you swipe and shop, a donation will be made to Whitefield through their Community Rewards program. Visit Kroger.com/community-rewards for more information and to register.

Diversity has been a top priority for Whitefield from the founding of the school. One way to ensure Whitefield has socio-economic diversity is offering financial aid to mission fit and qualifying families who need help covering the cost of tuition. Whitefield Academy partners with the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, which was created through the State of Georgia’s education expense tax credit program. This program allows taxpayers, including S-corporations, C-corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trusts, to redirect a portion of their state liability to Whitefield Academy for financial aid purposes. Georgia GOAL funds are available to qualifying students who enter kindergarten or who matriculate from public or homeschool programs in any grade. For more information on how to participate in Georgia GOAL, visit goalscholarship.org.

Scan the QR code to learn more about Georgia GOAL!

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More than $3.7 MILLION

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The Whitefield Academy Alumni Association strives to continue the relationship between alumni and the larger Whitefield community in meaningful ways. The alumni network provides a valuable resource for Whitefield Academy and its current and past students. Since the first graduating class in 1998, Whitefield graduates are making a difference across the globe. Alumni continue to give back to Whitefield in various ways throughout the year – from speaking to students about careers to coaching on the field – we are blessed with a network of more than 1,200 alumni! Our Alumni Association Board plays an important role in the strategic direction and activity of the Association. Involvement as an alumnus is an important part in enriching the student experience for all students, even after graduation.

“I give to Whitefield in deep gratitude for the incredible community I was able to build in my time at the school. From the friends that I still call on a daily basis, to the teachers who shaped my life at a difficult time, to the silly memories I have from marching band and senior pranks—I am forever grateful for the family Whitefield created for me.”

- MacKensie (Garrett) Brandt ‘07

GRANDPARENT ASSOCIATION

The Whitefield Grandparent Association exists to acknowledge the presence and value of grandparents on campus, to encourage participation in school-wide events, to promote fellowship among grandparents, and to bolster knowledge of Whitefield Academy and its mission statement. All grandparents of current students are automatically a part of the Whitefield Grandparent Association! Please contact Paige Perdue, Associate Director of Development at pperdue@whitefieldacademy.com, to confirm Whitefield has updated contact information for your Whitefield grandparent.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Whitefield Grandparent Association. Living in another state, we are not able to visit campus as often as we’d like but WGA keeps us updated regularly on school activities and makes us feel like an important part of the Whitefield community. We are blessed to be included and feel welcomed through the Whitefield Grandparent Association.”

- Peggy and Frank Addicks, Grandparents of a 12th grader

THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Lauren Race

Director of Development

Major Gifts, Capital Giving

lrace@whitefieldacademy.com

678-305-3042

Paige Perdue

Associate Director of Development

Major Gifts, Planned Giving

Whitefield Grandparent Association, Georgia GOAL pperdue@whitefieldacademy.com

678-305-3028

Jan White

Annual Giving and Special Events Manager

jwhite@whitefieldacademy.com

678-305-1384

Lindsey McClellan

Alumni Relations Manager

lmcclellan@whitefieldacademy.com

678-305-2169

Tamieka Baker

Advancement Coordinator

tbaker@whitefieldacademy.com

678-305-1378

Mike Fuller

Donor Relations and Research Manager

mfuller@whitefieldacademy.com

678-305-3025

Whitefield Academy, a Christ-centered college preparatory school, exists to bolster Christian families in rearing young people who go on to college and life with a passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus.