A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY
Parents’ Guide to Giving
2026-27
Why Philanthropy Matters Tuition covers only
82%
of this year’s operating budget
Philanthropy
=
11% of operating budget
Only 82% of Columbus Academy’s annual operating budget of $40M is covered by tuition. After tuition, the second largest revenue source is philanthropy, via the Annual Fund and endowment earnings. Most independent schools, including Columbus Academy, operate with this non-profit model.
$4,000 gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student each year
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Parent Participation Families make a significant investment in their children’s education through tuition. We don’t take that for granted. When it comes to giving, parents are asked to participate at a level that is personally meaningful. Everyone’s participation helps support the school.
63%
of parents gave one or more gifts last year
Our culture of generosity starts with you. 2
Giving Priorities Families can direct their giving in a variety of ways. Consider Columbus Academy’s funding priorities as you make your philanthropic plans.
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Contact Us The Development Office is here to answer questions and learn more about your philanthropic interests.
Maria Miller, JD, P’24
Assistant Head of School for Development
Emily Campbell, MBA, CFRE
Melissa Clarke Beckett
Dan Ginis
Michael Haddock
Director of Development
Director of Major & Planned Gifts
Contact us today!
Director of Parent Relations
Director of Alumni Relations
(614) 509-2226 developmentoffice@columbusacademy.org
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The Annual Fund The Annual Fund is the school’s largest yearly fundraising effort that provides essential support for current-year operating expenses (July 1- June 30). Most Annual Fund gifts are unrestricted, allowing the school to respond to its greatest needs and new opportunities as they arise. However, families may choose to direct their giving to one of the areas noted below.
ARTS
TUITION ASSISTANCE
FACULTY
CURRICULAR INNOVATION
ATHLETICS
The Annual Fund campaign kicks off each fall. Parents’ early back-to-school gifts and pledges are critical, providing a foundation for a successful school year. In the spring, the entire Columbus Academy community – alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty and staff – comes together for All Day 4 CA, a spirited day of giving that celebrates all things Academy and inspires participation.
Every gift matters. Every family’s participation counts whether they give $10 or $10,000. Families are asked to consider the aspirational giving levels below to help reach the Annual Fund goal. Leadership gifts of $3,000 or more make up 78% of Annual Fund dollars raised, and leadership donors are celebrated with a special appreciation event each year.
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Annual Fund Dollars in Action Because Annual Fund gifts provide flexible support for budgeted needs, they are used in a variety of ways to benefit students’ educational experiences, including:
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Endowment An endowed fund is a special fund where the donated amount (principal) is invested and a portion of the income earned on that investment is spent to support daily operations or a donor-designated area of interest. Principal is held in perpetuity and is not used, allowing the endowment to grow and providing a permanent source of funding for Columbus Academy.
Columbus Academy has 176 funds in its endowment, which totals about $60 million.
Endowed funds provide creative giving opportunities, allowing donors to match their interests with school priorities. With a gift of $100,000, you can create your own named endowed fund, working with Development to designate the use of the fund to an area of need at Columbus Academy. Gifts of any size to existing endowed funds are also welcome. Similar to the Annual Fund, our endowed funds support a range of priorities such as faculty professional development, named chairs, tuition assistance, student services and other designations. Whether you give to an existing endowed fund or create your own named endowed fund, know that gifts to the endowment are a wonderful way to build and sustain the future of Columbus Academy.
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Special Initiatives Gifts for special initiatives support specific programs or building projects, providing funding above and beyond the operating budget. Please talk with the Development Office to explore gift opportunities that align your giving interests with the school’s emerging priorities.
Recent special initiative gifts to Columbus Academy have: Built the new Viking Shipyard for applied engineering, technology and robotics Replaced two footbridges on campus, increasing access across our 231 acres Helped us purchase 27 new band instruments Underwritten the care and feeding of Nelson, our community dog Provided financial assistance to support student trips
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Planned Giving Planned gifts are once-in-a-lifetime gifts that Columbus Academy receives after a donor has passed. Planned gifts allow donors to make a gift commitment today that benefits the school in the future. Very often, these are the largest gifts a donor will make to an organization and are the culmination of a lifetime of generous giving.
Gifts can be made in several ways, including: Naming Columbus Academy in a will or trust You’re also protecting loved ones by making estate plans!
Adding the school as a full or partial beneficiary of a retirement plan or of a donor advised fund (DAF)
Naming the school as a beneficiary of a fully paid, whole-life insurance policy
Establishing a charitable gift annuity with our partner, The Columbus Foundation, or naming us as the beneficiary of a commercial annuity
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We also accept gifts from donors via qualified charitable distributions (QCD) from individual retirement accounts (IRA). Those are gifts that donors 70½ and older can make during their lifetime, allowing the donor to see the impact of their gift now. You could even use your IRA QCD to create a named endowed fund!
Recent realized planned gifts have been added to the unrestricted portion of our endowment and to several endowed scholarship and student support funds, generating long-term impact and growth. Our office can help by providing Columbus Academy-specific sample bequest language, drafting documents to confirm donor gift intentions or even by walking donors through the steps of naming us as a beneficiary.
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Ways to Give One-Time Gift Tax-deductible gifts can be made at any time! Cash, checks and credit card information can be sent in the mail, or use direct debit, credit and debit cards securely with our online giving form.
Scan here to give!
Monthly Recurring Gifts
Your monthly gift (of any amount) adds up over time and continues into the next school year hassle-free. You can change or cancel your monthly giving plan at any time.
Pledge Now, Pay Later
Knowing your gift intention early in the academic year helps the school plan and allocate its resources properly.Pledges can be fulfilled in multiple installments or in a lump sum at a later date. Annual Fund pledges need to be fulfilled by June 30 each year.
Donor Advised Funds
Use your “charitable savings account.” A donor advised fund can be opened at a community foundation or brokerage firm and the assets grow in value over time, tax-free. At any time, you can simply request distributions to your favorite charities!
Gifts of Appreciated Stock
Transferring shares of appreciated securities directly to Columbus Academy can provide excellent tax advantages to donors. This is a tax-savvy way for your family to support the school. Contact us for transfer instructions.
Matching Gifts Many companies match charitable contributions made by their employees. This is a great opportunity to maximize your gift—potentially doubling or tripling your impact. Contact your human resources office to determine if your organization offers a gift-matching program.
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4300 Cherry Bottom Road Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 509-2226 developmentoffice@columbusacademy.org