OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL Guide to Giving and Getting Involved
GIVING & GETTING INVOLVED
At Ojai Valley School, we strive to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. We rely on a strong culture of community engagement, philanthropy, and volunteer partnerships to reach that goal. Our strength stems from the dedicated families, grandparents, and alumni who work in partnership with faculty and staff, trustees, and community friends, whose exceptional commitment to OVS allows us to fulfill our mission and expand our vision for the future. We hope this guide will encourage you to give and get involved in the year ahead!
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Annual Fund
Endowment & Planned Giving
Gala & Auction
LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Board of Trustees
Annual Fund Ambassadors
Admission Ambassadors
Parent Club Room Parents
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Family Weekend Spud Classic Global
ANNUAL FUND
What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is the backbone of our community’s philanthropy program. It fuels our operating budget and enhances every aspect of school life across Lower and Upper Campuses. Annual Fund contributions support campus improvements, new technology, scholarships, and enrichment grants for our teachers. The Annual Fund runs every year from September 1 to August 31. Gifts of any amount can be made to the Annual Fund. They’re unrestricted, tax deductible, and support the educational experience for all students.
Why Give to the Annual Fund
Like most independent schools, tuition and fees do not completely cover the total cost of an OVS education. The Annual Fund helps ensure a fully funded educational program — supporting faculty development, campus enhancements, academic and co-curricular programs, and scholarships. Your gift also helps fund opportunities that arise throughout the year in athletics, performing arts, robotics, and outdoor education.
How Can I Give to the Annual Fund?
Gifts can be made online at ovs.org/give by credit card or by check, securities, and international wire transfer. Many employers offer matching gifts, which can double or triple the impact of your contribution.
Giving Levels
All gifts are gratefully acknowledged in the Annual Report at the following levels, which are named for the beautiful places near our campuses and the destinations our students have explored for generations:
Leadership Circle
Los Padres
Sespe
Topa Topa
Matilija
$10,000 or more
$5,000 to $9,999
$2,500 to $4,999
$1,500 to $2,499
Friends of OVS
Oak Flat
Piedra Blanca
Ten Foot Hole
$1,000 to $1,499
$500 to $999
$250 to $499
Rose Valley Falls to $249
Your gift matters.
We want everyone — including day and boarding parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty and staff — to participate by making a contribution to OVS. High participation demonstrates a vote of confidence in the school. Every gift, no matter the size, is significant and appreciated!
ENDOWMENT & PLANNED GIVING
Endowment
Gifts to the OVS Endowment ensure long-term financial stability for the school. Every contribution is added to the endowment’s principal which is carefully invested. The school draws on a portion of the investment earnings each year, allowing your gift to generate ongoing support for scholarships, faculty, programs, and campus priorities.
Donors may choose to support existing endowment funds or create a new fund that reflects their personal values or honors a loved one. A gift to the OVS Endowment is more than a donation — it’s an investment in the future of our school and the generations of students to come.
Planned Giving
The Yeomans Legacy honors those who have included OVS in their estate plans. By making this powerful commitment, individuals ensure that their personal values and philanthropic priorities live on, making a difference long after their lifetime.
Named for Edward Yeomans, Ojai Valley School founder and visionary educator, the Yeomans Legacy reflects his belief in education as a transformative force. This special circle of supporters shares in his passion, helping to sustain the school’s mission and values for generations to come.
Interested in learning more? Please contact the OVS Development Office at development@ovs.org or (805) 640-2578.
GALA & AUCTION
Gala & Auction
The Gala & Auction is our premier fundraising event and a time when our entire community — parents, grandparents, trustees, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends — gathers to celebrate and support our school. Volunteers are key to making this annual event a success. From helping to procure amazing donation items to auction coordination and event-day support, the dedication of our volunteers brings this incredible evening to life. One hundred percent of auction proceeds support the school and we welcome contributions year-round.
Sponsorships and Underwriting
Cash sponsorship and underwriting contributions directly support the Gala while offering visibility and community goodwill. Perfect for many of our families and alumni living around the globe, sponsorships and underwriting are meaningful ways to participate. Consider sponsoring a table for fellow alumni, underwriting a group in honor of a beloved faculty member, or making a direct contribution in support of the event. Sponsorship and underwriting levels are flexible and allow broad exposure through event promotions.
Live and Online Auctions
The Live Auction is a highlight of the Gala and a vital fundraiser for the school. With a curated selection of unique packages, guests enjoy real-time bidding in a dynamic and fun setting led by a professional auctioneer. Whether you’re hoping to take home something exceptional or simply enjoy the spirited atmosphere, your participation makes a meaningful impact.
The Online Auction launches before the evening program and closes approximately 24 hours after the Gala, giving hundreds of OVS families, alumni, and friends around the globe a fun and easy way to participate. All you need is access to the internet and fast fingers to place the winning bid — anytime, from anywhere.
Fund-a-Need Paddle Raise
Our Fund-A-Need paddle raise is held during the Live Auction to generate support for a specific priority identified by the Head of School and Board of Trustees. The paddle raise is a powerful and heartfelt part of our giving tradition — a chance to directly support what makes OVS feel like home to hundreds of students each year. Every Fund-a-Need gift, whether $500, $50,000, or more — is 100% tax-deductible and goes straight to programs that enhance the school.
Can’t attend in person? You can still be part of this meaningful moment, and make your Fund-a-Need gift in advance. Contact us at development@ovs.org or (805) 640-2578.
LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is a group of individuals who play a vital role in overseeing the school’s financial health, implementing its long-term goals and strategic plans. The OVS Board is composed of alumni, past and current parents, and past and current grandparents. They are volunteers who serve for renewable three-year terms.
Annual Fund Ambassadors
Annual Fund Ambassadors are a group of dedicated volunteers who partner with the Development team to garner support for the OVS Annual Fund. As trusted voices within our community, Ambassadors play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of philanthropy, helping ensure every student benefits from the resources, programs and opportunities that define an exceptional OVS education.
Admission Ambassadors
Admission Ambassadors are volunteers who assist the Admission Office by engaging with prospective students and families. These volunteers play a vital role in sharing their experiences and advocating on behalf of the school. They are often current students, alums, and parents living locally, but also out of state or overseas. Ambassadors help with campus tours, open house events, boarding school fairs, and virtual meet-ups with prospective students.
Parent Club
The Parent Club supports the mission of the school by creating a positive, fun atmosphere that furthers a sense of community and cultural enrichment on both campuses. Parent Club volunteers help to organize campus activities, including movie nights, food festivals, social events, as well as Teacher Appreciation Week, which includes coffee carts and goodies to thank teachers for their hard work. Parent Club meetings are typically held at the start of each month.
Room Parents
Room Parents play a key volunteer role for grades PK-5 by serving as a supportive link between the classroom teacher and parents. This includes assisting with reminders about upcoming events, welcoming new families, and generally helping to build a sense of community in the primary and elementary division of the school.
Want to help in other ways? Contact our Office of Development at development@ovs.org or alumni@ovs.org or (805) 640-2578. We love new ideas!
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Family Weekend
Family Weekend, held on both campuses in the fall and at Lower Campus in the spring, are important community events and all families are encouraged to attend. Fall Family Weekend is held in October at the end of the first quarter. It is a great opportunity for boarding and day families to connect with teachers, fellow families, and experience campus life. Events typically include teacher conferences, parent socials, and student performances. The highlight of Spring Family Weekend at Lower Campus is the middle school musical!
Spud Classic Golf Tournament
The Spud Classic Golf Tournament is a friend-raising and fundraising event. It is held in the fall at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai and brings together OVS parents, alumni, faculty, students and friends to raise money during a playful, fun and engaging day on the links! There are also opportunities for non-golfers to buy tee signs, donate items for a raffle and auction, and attend the after-party with fellow parents and friends.
Global Community
The OVS community includes students, parents, and alumni from around the world. Currently, students from China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Switzerland, and Taiwan are part of a diverse community where students develop meaningful, long-lasting friendships and an appreciation for cultural differences. Throughout the year, we celebrate our global community with events that include the Lunar New Year dinner and the International Food Festival, sponsored by the Parent Club. We also invite families to serve as hosts to international students during breaks.
Service Work and Giving Back
OVS students participate in a range of community service projects throughout the year, which gives them a deeper understanding of social and environmental issues as well as learning the importance of giving back to the broader community in Ventura County. Service work includes restoration projects with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and the Channel Islands National Park as well as frequent work with Food Share of Ventura County, our local food bank.
ALUMNI EVENTS
Pons Dinner
Each spring the Lower Campus hosts the annual Pons Dinner, which is the first alumni event in which OVS students participate. Pons is Latin for “bridge” and celebrates the transition from middle to high school. The dinner is held in May for eighth graders and Lower Campus alumni who are still in high school and provides an opportunity for young alumni to connect with their middle school classmates and former teachers.
Senior-to-Alumni Dinner
The Senior-to-Alumni Dinner was started a decade ago as an informal event, held just before graduation, to welcome the seniors into the OVS Alumni Association. The Senior-to-Alumni dinner is held at Boccali’s restaurant and features a young alum who serves as a guest speaker to share words of advice about the transition from high school to college.
Alumni Weekend and Regional Events
Alumni Weekend is a time for former students to reconnect with the school and each other. Alumni Weekend is typically held in June and involves a variety of activities, including local hikes, social events, and class reunions. Many alums return annually to enjoy these informal get-togethers and reminisce with friends and teachers. In addition to Alumni Weekend, smaller alumni gatherings are held regionally across the U.S. and overseas.
Holiday Gatherings
In December, all alumni are invited to mix, mingle and celebrate the holidays during the annual party known as “Festivus.” This Ojai event is celebrated on December 23 and is intended to bring alumni together for good drinks and good times!
More Ways to Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved as an OVS alum! The Alumni Relations Office is looking for alumni to help organize community or alumni gatherings, mentor current students or recent graduates, serve as guest speakers, and to help recruit new students. You can also serve as an Admissions Ambassador in your home town.
For more information, contact our Office of Development and Alumni Relations at development@ovs.org or alumni@ovs.org or (805) 640-2578.
