Annual Fund

Your participation in the Annual Fund supports critical needs for the current school year.

Annual Fund Q & A
What you really need to understand about the Annual Fund

Q: What are this year’s goals?
A: This year’s Annual Fund goals = $150,000 and 100% Participation

Q: Why do we need an Annual Fund? Why not just charge what it costs?
A: As in most independent schools, there is a gap between the cost of tuition and the true cost of providing a high-quality education for each child. At Giddens School the gap is $367,000 or $2,100 per child. Raising tuition by this much would undoubtedly drive away many of our current families and discourage many new families from applying.

A major underpinning of the school’s mission is its commitment to diversity across traditional divides. This is made possible in part through the school’s generous financial aid program. Giddens School’s tuition is equal to the average tuition of independent schools in the Pacific NW, but Giddens offers more than double the average number of children financial aid. The result is a thriving community made up of families representing diverse financial situations, family structures and ethnicities. Participation in the Annual Fund is critical because it makes up close to one-third of our financial aid budget.

*Just a reminder: Any donation families make to the school over tuition is tax-deductible. If we added the gap amount to tuition, it would not be tax-deductible.

Q: Why participate in the Annual Fund? Why is it important, even if I can only afford a small gift?
A: Because building an inclusive community is part of the school’s intention and values. Because actively supporting what you believe in helps make it a reality.

Last year, was the third year in a row that 100% of our parent community and Board of Trustees contributed some of their hard earned dollars back to the school.

Q: What did the Annual Fund support last year?

• More than 50 children (33% of our students) received full or partial financial aid scholarships
• Teachers and staff sharpened their skills and brought innovative ideas into the classroom by attending professional development conferences.
• New playground equipment was installed.

Q: What will my participation in the Annual Fund support this year?
A: This year, in addition to financial aid and professional development, the annual fund will help fund our learning support staff such as teacher coaches, reading and math specialists for children with diverse learning needs.

Q: How much do we really need to raise TOTAL this year through all of our fundraising efforts?
A: $367,000 through the following ways:
Auction = $125,000
Annual Fund = $150,000
Leaders For Life Luncheon = $40,000
Corporate/ Foundation Matching Gifts & Grants = $52,000

Q: Where will the money we raise be allocated this year?
A: 292,000 = Financial Aid
25,000 = Professional Development
50,000 = Student Support Services