Sanford School College Preparatory School (Hockessin, DE)

Annual Fund

Overview

The Annual Fund campaign is one of the most important ways you can help Sanford meet its immediate needs. It is our most important source of unrestricted funds. If you can only make one gift each year, please make it to the Annual Fund.

Each year, all members of the Sanford Community - parents, faculty, alumni, past parents, grandparents, businesses and other friends - are asked to make unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund to augment the budget. These vital, unrestricted dollars support every student by bridging the gap between tuition (which covers roughly 90% of the actual cost to educate our students) and the actual cost of providing a Sanford education. Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund allow the School to meet its goals and direct funds where they are needed most. All donations are tax deductible as allowable by law.

Annual Giving provides you the opportunity to make a personal investment in the school. Sanford depends on a healthy Annual Fund, which in turn depends on us. Join us by participating in the Annual Fund today.

The Annual Fund runs concurrently with the school fiscal year, July 1st  – June 30th. For more information about the Annual Fund, contact the Director of Annual Giving, Karen Riordan, at riordank@sanfordschool.org or call 302-239-5263.  Donate Now.

Levels / Giving Clubs

Below are the current gift levels for the Annual Fund

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My family is already paying tuition. How does it benefit my child when I make a donation to the Annual Fund?
The bottom line is this: Your gift supports the people and the programs that make Sanford so special. This means the talented teachers, small classes, and exceptional offerings in everything from the arts to athletics. When your child is in school, all this translates to more personal attention and increased intellectual stimulation. Tuition only covers 90% of the school’s operating budget, and the Annual Fund bridges that gap.

Why should I give? My child’s school has beautiful grounds and lovely buildings. It does not look like it needs money.
It’s easy to overestimate how affluent schools are. Because Sanford charges thousands of dollars for tuition and enjoys attractive facilities, you may assume the school is rich, the teachers are well paid, and the financial needs are minimal. But, for our school, and the vast majority of independent schools, tuition covers less than 90% of the full cost of educating each child.

The annual fund makes up the difference between what tuition covers and the actual cost of operating the school. It acts like a checking account, helping the school to accomplish its daily work.  It helps with all expenses from teachers salaries to equipment to supplies for the classroom. That is why your giving is so critical.

If I can only make a small gift, does it really make an impact?
Yes! Sanford has fewer supporters than a university or large charity. Because the number who can give is small and the need large, then every gift counts. Regardless of the size of the gift, it is an expression of your support. Participation matters!

Why is participation so important?
High participation is a vote of confidence, a sign that parents support the school mission. We strive for 100% participation. The high percentage is immeasurable when we are seeking gifts from outside sources, as most foundations consider parent participation before agreeing to donate funds to a school.

How much should I give?
This is a question that only you can answer. Because of the direct impact that these gifts have on the day to day activities at Sanford, we hope you will give at the highest level you feel is most comfortable. Every gift counts.

What is the best time to give?
We encourage individuals and families to pledge and make gifts early in the school year (between September and December). Early donations translate into lower administrative and communications costs per dollar raised. However, you can give at any time during the Annual Fund period which, coincides with the school’s fiscal year from July 1st through June 30th.

Can I spread my payments out over time or do I have to pay it all at once?
Yes, you can spread your payments out over time. While your pledge amount to the annual fund must all be paid by June 30th, you can elect to pay monthly, quarterly, etc. Just contact the Development Office to determine the right plan for you.

Benefits

There are approximately 600 reasons to give to the Annual Fund – each with a unique face and talent. A gift to the Annual Fund directly benefits every child and can be seen in the many accomplishments across our diverse student body.

A gift to the Annual Fund supports these important school priorities:

1. Rich academic, athletic and arts  programs
2. Retention of our skilled, motivated and caring faculty
3. Maintain our exceptional campus and facilities
4. A safe place for students to take the kinds of risks that lead to greatness and stretch our students beyond their comfort zones
5. Your belief in the education Sanford has offered for over 75 years.

How Can I Make a Gift – Who to Call?

Sanford has a variety of options to make giving easier. The school accepts gifts made by check, cash, credit card or publicly traded securities. Gifts can be made by using our online donation form Donate Now or by mailing your pledge/gift to the Development Office at Sanford School. For more information, please contact Karen Riordan, the Director of Annual Giving, at riordank@sanfordschool.org or call 302-239-5263 x 229.

Site Map    6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707     Tel. 302.239.5263    Fax 302.239.5389     ©2008 Sanford School