2 0 1 8 – 2 0 1 9 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Our purpose is to create a supportive and caring community that cherishes love of learning, creativity, and individuality, and that provides teachers and students with both support and freedom to take risks in order to reach their full potential. Implicit in our philosophy is the goal of bringing students to their highest level of academic and personal competency, both for their present and in preparation for their future education. In addition, we share a much larger purpose. We see Far Brook’s mission as a desire to use and to adapt the principles of progressive education and its philosophy of pragmatism for a changing world, and while valuing academic excellence and respect for nature, to instill a creative response to learning with great art, drama, music, and literature as models. Our approach to education demands that both students and teachers be active participants in a reciprocal learning experience. We recognize the role of metaphor, ritual, and tradition in children’s lives and the power of the arts in the learning process. Our curriculum is unified by interdisciplinary studies of thematic units and great historical eras, which allow children to relate themselves to the universe and to the history of mankind. A Far Brook education takes place in an environment of natural beauty and intimacy, where character and citizenship are valued as much as achievement, process as much as product. It is our desire to touch the lives of children so they may live life wisely and with great joy.
Dear Members of the Far Brook Community, We are pleased to share Far Brook’s 2018-2019 Report on Philanthropy. This annual report allows us to reflect on the year that has passed and to share the highlights, accomplishments, and the success of the School. The progress we continue to make reflects the commitment and generosity of this remarkable community - current families, alumni, faculty and administrators - and the collective dedication to our students. Their intelligence, engagement, curiosity, self-reliance, and compassion, inspires us every day. HIGHLIGHTS Strategic Plan: In 2018-2019, much of our focus was dedicated to the written articulation of the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan. Begun in 2016, the Plan is dynamic and represents a very thoughtful process built on the mission and core values of the School. It is in full alignment with our fundamental convictions and reinforces our promise to attract and support outstanding students and faculty. Interim Director of the Lower School: Haruka Mori was named Interim Director of the Lower School, replacing Paula Levin who retired after 47 incredible years at Far Brook. Haruka’s passion for teaching, and the breadth and depth of her experience as a classroom teacher, strongly positioned her for this role. Haruka has taught Second, Fourth, and Fifth Grade at Far Brook and has over a decade of teaching and leadership experience in New York City schools.
Admissions and Marketing: We continued to take a strategic and creative approach to attracting students and families this year, using demographics as an important tool. Concentrating on inbound marketing strategies, we developed a Progressive Education e-book, ran Facebook campaigns, and utilized Far Brook’s view book, direct mail, and digital display ads, all to reinforce Far Brook’s message. We redesigned the School website, an important tool for current and prospective families. A professional marketing video was created to engage families and bring our educational experience and campus to life. An Admissions CRM database, SchoolAdmin, was implemented to enhance a prospective family’s introduction to Far Brook. SchoolAdmin helps manage the process from inquiry to acceptance to matriculation. We have revamped visit days, introduced workshops for non-Far Brook families, and created opportunities for current families to learn more about the upper grades. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The scope of our work was vast and included many initiatives for our community. Student participation in Heritage Morning Meetings and Affinity lunches provide opportunities to explore identity, equity, and inclusion. With ongoing faculty professional development, curriculum continues to evolve to include poignant essential questions and global perspectives that ignite critical thinking and an understanding of the interconnectedness of people throughout the world.
Far Brook’s third annual Diversity Conference, Widening The Lens, was held on Saturday, November 10, bringing together colleagues from 12 peers schools. Our keynote speaker, inaugural poet Richard Blanco, inspired us with remarks related to the Conference theme, From Attending to Belonging: Reimagining Independent Schools for our Intersectional Communities. Placement: This has been another strong year for high school placement. The Class of 2019 is attending a wide array of impressive schools. Please see the list on the Admissions and Placement page that also includes the colleges and universities where our Class of 2015 alumni is enrolled. Immersion Learning Experiences: Immersion learning experiences continued to enhance the Far Brook educational experience. For many years, Junior High students traveled to the Adirondacks for a weeklong hiking and outdoor learning experience as well as taking a French trip to Quebec and Montreal. Recently, these opportunities have been brought to the Middle School, and include a 3-day trip to Washington DC with visits to the National Monuments, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of African American History, and the US Capitol, meeting with Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Tom Malinowski, and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. In its second year, this trip has been a wonderful addition to the Sixth Grade curriculum. Planning is underway for a 2020 trip to Selma, Montgomery, and Atlanta for Junior High students.
Facilities and Operations: Facility and campus maintenance remained a priority for the School. During the summer of 2018, a major renovation of the Lower School was completed. As part of our capital improvement budget, much of the spring was spent planning for a summer renovation of the Junior High building to include a new HVAC system, the replacement of all window air conditioning units and boilers, the painting of the interiors, and the installation of new flooring and lighting throughout the building. Upgrades to the Middle School include a new roof, new doors, and exterior painting. Student safety and security remains our highest priority. Swipe card access was installed and now more than 80% of the campus buildings have been upgraded to this keyless entry system. In addition, Far Brook applied and received a grant from the E.J. Grassmann Trust for security initiatives. Auxiliary Rental Program: After hours, and on weekends, we rented the Gym to a variety of programs, providing additional income and opportunities to bring non-Far Brook families to campus, creating awareness about the School. In addition to the many athletic programs, Far Brook also became home for one day to the New Jersey Youth Chorus’ Elementary Choral Festival. Five youth choirs, including one from Far Brook, participated in a daylong workshop, culminating in a concert with all 90 students performing together. What a wonderful opportunity for the 25 Far Brook Middle School
students who participated, and a great way to show off our performing spaces including the new Arts Building. PHILANTHROPY 2018-2019 Giving: Thanks to the generosity of the Far Brook community, we received $1,796,529, which includes The Far Brook Fund, restricted gifts, events, and campaign pledge payments. Strength In Community, Far Brook’s Initiative for Students and Faculty: In support of the Strategic Plan, we designed a major gifts fundraising initiative to raise funds for Tuition Assistance, Scholarship and Faculty Endowment, and the new Faculty Fund for Innovation. Strength In Community began quietly with the Board and key stakeholders in March 2018, and as of June 30, 2019, we had approximately $1,600,000 in paid and pledged gifts. We look forward to continued communication and ongoing conversations as we share this initiative with the community. Endowment Growth: Due to continued prudent financial oversight from the Board’s Finance Committee and the business office, the fair market value of Far Brook’s Endowment, as of June 30, 2019, was $7,148,273. This is an increase of 7% from last year.
Paula Levin Lower School Scholarship: On May 18, more than 300 guests celebrated Paula’s tenure at Far Brook with a wonderful evening, raising close to $106,000 for tuition assistance for current and future Lower School students. A Thank You: After nine years, Brad Wiley ’54 retired from the Board. Brad has been an unwavering supporter of the School’s mission and pedagogy. For the past 30 years, he has made Far Brook a philanthropic priority. His belief in financial support of current use funds for tuition assistance and scholarship endowment have changed the landscape of our fundraising efforts and most importantly, our community. We are grateful for his partnership as we look to the future. We thank our entire community for your ongoing commitment to Far Brook School. With deepest gratitude,
Amy Ziebarth Head of School
Marc Schwartz Chair, Board of Trustees
FINANCIAL REPORT We are pleased to report that Far Brook School’s financial position remains strong. Below is a summary for the 2018-2019 year.
Operating Revenue and Other Support
Operating Expenses
64%
Salaries and Benefits
13%
Financial Aid
76%
Tuition and Application Fees
18%
Contributions
4%
Interest and Dividend Income
2%
Other Income
4%
Administrative
5%
Buildings and Grounds
2%
Auxiliary Services and Activities
7%
Educational
5%
Depreciation
SUMMARY OF PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT We are profoundly grateful to our community of current parents, alumni, alumni parents, trustees, grandparents, faculty and staff, and friends who continue to give thoughtfully and generously to the School. Thank you for making the Far Brook experience possible for each and every student. Below is a summary of philanthropic support for 2018-2019.
$692,263
Quiet Phase – Strength In Community, Far Brook's Initiative for Students and Faculty
$411,951
The Far Brook Fund 2018-2019
$106,050
Current Use Tuition Assistance
$46,325
Additional gifts to: the Paula Levin Celebration Event, Grand Friends Morning, Music and Instrument Fund, Family Photo Project, Fredda S. Leff Special Projects Endowment, 2019 Class Gift, and Special Projects
$20,000
E.J. Grassman Trust grant for campus security updates
$10,000
Widening The Lens Diversity Conference Corporate Partnership
Total Dollars Raised:
$1,286,589 Imagine The Possibilities Capital Campaign payments:
$509,940
Total Dollars Received:
$1,796,529
ENDOWMENT Far Brook’s Endowment totaled $7,148,273 as of June 30, 2019, representing an endowment per student of $31,912. Our Endowment provides regular income, through smart investing and prudent management, for School programs, scholarships, financial aid, faculty development, facilities, and general needs. It ensures Far Brook’s long-term security and sustainability by creating support for future ventures and opportunities. A donor may add to these funds at any time.
$8M
$12,726
$202,722 $1,806,699 $4,317,936 $5,264,847 $6,022,688 $6,738,468 $7,148,273
$7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M $1M $0
1980
1990
2000
2010
2016
2017
2018
2019
DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUNDS Arts Endowment Funds Kramer Art Fund Fredda S. Leff Special Projects Endowment Polly S. Niebling Drama Fund
Building Endowment Funds Milton H. Stern Endowment Fund The Ruth and Max Segal Family Library Endowment Fund
Faculty Endowment Funds The Elliott Averett Family Fund for Teacher Benefits Faculty Endowment Fund Faculty Opportunity Fund Endowment for Teacher Benefits Moore Faculty Benefit Fund
Scholarship Endowment Funds Mary Adams Scholarship for Mathematics and Science Edwin A. Finckel Scholarship for the Arts The Founding Families Scholarship Endowment Fund The George Bartol Scholarship The Hite Scholarship The James E. and Elizabeth Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund William R. Johnson Scholarship for the Arts Barbara Jordan Endowment Scholarship The Koven Family Scholarship The Paula Levin Lower School Scholarship Fund Marks Student Scholarships The Opportunity Scholarship Fund for Excellence The Caroline Pfohl and Damien Ho Scholarship Carol Silver Endowment for Student Scholarships
THE FAR BROOK FUND
The Most Important Fundraising We Do The Far Brook Fund provides immediate, flexible resources to help fund the School’s highest priorities - academics, tuition assistance, faculty and staff salary and benefits, immersion learning experiences, technology, sports, the Arts, facility upgrades, and more.
The Far Brook Fund supports every STUDENT every TEACHER every PROGRAM every DAY 2018-2019 PARTICIPATION RATES TO BE PROUD OF! 93% CURRENT FAMILIES 100% FAMILIES NEW TO FAR BROOK 100% TRUSTEES 100% FACULTY AND STAFF Every DOLLAR counts. Every GIFT matters. Every DONOR makes a DIFFERENCE.
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WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO GIVE TO FAR BROOK?
Donors share their thoughts
-Miriam and Makoto Yoshida, alumni parents
Far Brook puts together a foundation of happiness with roots for growing! -Mei Hu and Lee Li, current parents
Far Brook fosters a deep sense of community amongst families and profoundly instills a culture of learning, independent thinking and social awareness in the students. This is why we support the School. -Jennifer Jing and Ash Prithipaul, current parents
As an alumni and current parent of a 4th Grade student who started in Kindergarten, it’s wonderful to see the core values and traditions of the school live on. Far Brook is truly something special that you carry with you throughout your life! It’s a unique environment where the teachers and students work and learn together, in and out of the classroom.The dedication to learning, empathy, confidence, and helpfulness that the Far Brook community all show our children each and every day sets a solid foundation. This groundwork will play such an important role in their future and the future they will create in the world. This is why Donna and I support The Far Brook Fund. -Greg Cass ’86 and current parent
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We continue to give to Far Brook because of all that Far Brook gave to our daughters, Maia’10 and Nina’ 12. Although they graduated many years ago, the education they received still impacts their lives each and every day and is a big part of who they have become. We feel that giving back is important!
FAR BROOK, FAMILY, AND PHILANTHROPY:
Spotlight on Gordon Keil Parent 1984-2001 Trustee 1989-2007 Grandparent 2019
Far Brook has been part of Gordon Keil’s family since 1984 when Gordon and his wife Wendy enrolled their son Adam ’91 in First Grade. Sarah ’92, Heather ’95, and Noah’ 01, soon followed and the rest is history. Gordon has had an incredible history at Far Brook and the Keil family has left quite a legacy. He served as a Trustee for 18 years, and was Vice President of the Board and Co-chair of the Finance and Investment Committees. Wendy, who passed away in 2011, was an incredible volunteer, involved in just about everything and known for the delicious Hanukkah latkes that she made each year for the students. In addition to their commitment to The Far Brook Fund, they generously supported the School’s capital campaigns, including The Campaign for Uncommon Quality and Preserving Tradition, Securing the Future, both of which Gordon served as a campaign solicitor. More recently, Gordon and the Keil family made a generous donation to the Imagine The Possibilities Campaign.
“Far Brook played a significant role in helping Wendy and me raise our four Far Brook graduates. Wendy knew how important it was for the kids to build a strong foundation during their early childhood; and I learned how right Wendy was by observing the guidance and wisdom provided to each child, based on their individuality. That foundation was instrumental as our children shaped their own unique life’s strategy. It does ‘take a village,’ and I appreciate how blessed we were to have the Far Brook community as our village. The wonderful, loving, caring, talented teaching staff, the administrative and support team, and our fellow parents…many of whom have remained life-long friends. Now, with our four Ivy League graduates, each married to incredible partners (two are also Far Brook graduates), and a total of eight grandchildren, it just doesn’t get any better than this. We have always felt that it was so important to give back to the School that gave so much to us!” This year we are thrilled that the Keil family legacy at Far Brook continues. Gordon is the proud grandfather of a First Grade student! Thank you Gordon for ALL you have done, and continue to do for Far Brook.
ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT Number of Students........................ 224 New Students..................................... 36 Number of Families.......................... 168 New Families...................................... 36 Diversity - Students of Color........... 103 (46%) Communities...................................... 38 Secondary schools attended by the Class of 2019: Columbia High School Delbarton School Gill St. Bernard’s School Hudson School Kent Place School Montclair Kimberley Academy Morristown-Beard School Newark Academy Peddie School Pingry School Shorecrest Preparatory School (FL) West Essex High School Westfield High School
Far Brook’s Class of 2015 are freshmen at the following colleges and universities: Amherst College Barnard College Bucknell University Claremont McKenna College Colorado College Cornell University Haverford College Hobart and William Smith Colleges Middlebury College Pennsylvania State University Providence College Smith College Spelman College Tufts University University of Colorado/Boulder University of St. Andrews, Scotland Wesleyan University Westminster Choir College
2018-2019 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Board of Trustees Marc Schwartz, Board Chair Neale Trangucci, Vice Chair Carmine Fanelle, Treasurer Doak Sergent, Secretary Amy Ziebarth, Head of School Diane Bakst Christopher Burns Greg Hoffman Robert Kelly Leah Kronthal Krissy Mannello Tanya Nicholson Miller Rob Olazagasti Elyse Post ‘78 Harsh Sule Michelle Swittenberg Brad Wiley, II ‘54 Amy Yin Renee Sekino Wolfe The Far Brook Fund Co-Chairs Brian Saluzzo Amy Yin
The Far Brook Fund Ambassadors Jyoti Ananth Lauri Baker Dan Cogan-Drew Thea Cogan-Drew Brian Croshaw Wendy Doran-Paley Tami Evans John Fulbrook Marc Gonyea Chuck Gray Beth Jeffrey Jason Kruk Vejay Lalla Katharine Larsen Garth Naar Mary Perhach Ash Prithipaul John Randall Rebecca Wildman Repetti ‘93 Brian Sieger Mark Unferth Jonathan Wolfe ‘90
The Far Brook Fund Faculty Liaisons Danyel Mayers Ed Solecki Parents Committee Council Chairs Katy Burns Brad Jones
52 Great Hills Road Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 farbrook.org