Your guide to the Annual Fund and Parent Giving Day
Why doesThe Lexington School ask for gifts to the Annual Fund every year when I already pay tuition?
Like most independent schools, The Lexington School’s Board of Trustees sets tuition at a level that only covers about 80% of the cost of educating each student.
The remaining 20% is covered through fundraising (the Annual Fund and CELEBRATION) as well as income from the endowment. (For more on the endowment, see the back panel of this booklet.)
Why don’t you just charge more for tuition?
By building a budget that includes revenue sources beyond tuition, the Board of Trustees is able to help control tuition increases while ensuring the continued quality of The Lexington School education.
Annual Fund gifts have the added benefit of providing a potential tax deduction to the donor that is not available for tuition payments. (Donors should consult their tax advisors to determine the deductibility of their gifts).
Is it true that 100% of Faculty and Staff give to the Annual Fund?
YES! In fact 100% of our faculty and staff have given to the Annual Fund for the past 32 consecutive years! And it’s real participation. Every single teacher, administrator, and staff member give, and they do so before school even starts. We are really proud of this tradition, and we are the envy of schools across the nation because of this record. It’s a testament to how committed your student’s teachers are to this school and our academic program.
I don’t think my gift will be “big enough” to make much of a difference.Why should I support the Annual Fund?
Absolutely your gift matters! Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, every single gift to the Annual Fund makes a difference.
When we have a high level of parent participation in the annual fund, it sends a strong message to others in our community.
High parent participation signals to foundations, corporate sponsors, and others who may consider investing in The Lexington School that we can be entrusted with their philanthropic dollars. This translates to more resources for your child and their teachers.
Your participation also signals to prospective parents that you are happy with your Lexington School experience. This helps us to attract new families to The Lexington School who also highly value education and embrace The Lexington School’s mission.
Can I direct my gift to a specific area of the school?
YES! Most Annual Fund gifts are “unrestricted” which means that the school is able to use the funds wherever the need is the greatest. However, donors who would like to direct their gifts to a specific area of the school may choose from the areas listed below.
More info on each area is available at ILoveTLS.org. Select “Directed Giving” from the menu at the top!
Academic Program
Health and Wellness
School Environment
Financial Aid
The Learning Center
2024-25 (AF25) Giving Levels
1959 Founders: $30,000 and higher
James Lane Allen Society: $15,000 - $29,999
The Order of the Pin Oak: $10,000 - $14,999
The Green & Gray: $5,000 - $9,999
Leadership Community: $2,500 - $4,999
Friends of the Faculty: $1,250 - $2,499
Alma Mater Scholars: $750 - $1,249
TLS Family Circle: Up to $749
Parent Giving Day Tuesday, October 22
What is Parent Giving Day?
Parent Giving Day is a day when we have asked all parents to consider making a gift to the Annual Fund. Of course, anyone can give to the Annual Fund on any day, but focusing attention on a single day helps us to streamline our Fall Annual Fund season, and hopefully provides a single day when we can all celebrate as a community the reasons we “Totally Love School!”
Is this day like #TLSDOG in the Spring?
Yes! But because Annual Fund dollars are used for students and teachers this year it helps our school when we have Annual Fund commitments earlier in the school year. For this reason, we hope that parents will consider making their Annual Fund commitments during our Fall Annual Fund season.
I usually give at the end of the calendar year or in the Spring. Can I pledge now and pay later?
Absolutely! Pledges “count” as participation, so if you know you plan to give later in the year, go ahead and pledge now, and you can pay through June 15, 2025!
Will
you
have “Challenges” on Parent Giving Day?
For sure. Our Board of Trustees will offer a financial challenge on our Day of Giving, and we hope to offer a series of grade-level challenges as well! So giving on Parent Giving Day means the impact of your gift is even greater!
Do pledges count on Parent Giving Day Challenges?
You bet they do! A pledge counts as participation!
What
is the deal with “Totally Love
School?”
At The Lexington School, we say that “TLS” means “Totally Love School!”
We hope you hear from your student about what makes them “Totally Love School” on a regular basis! On Parent Giving Day, we hope you may share what your family “Totally Loves” about TLS bonus points if it starts with an “S”!
Use the enclosed Totally Love School card to write in your “loves” and feel free to share them on Social Media (and be sure to tag us!) to help spread the TLS fun on our big day.
Do you still have questions? Call us!We would love to talk!
We absolutely loveThe Lexington School and enjoy every opportunity to talk with families about whyWE Totally Love this School!
If you still have questions about the Annual Fund, Parent Giving Day, or other ways you can give, or if you would like to get more involved as a volunteer atThe Lexington School, please give us a call or send an email.
Development Office Staff
Amanda Hale, Director of Development (859) 278-0501 ext. 1273 | ahale@thelexingtonschool.org
Mary Buckles, Assistant Director of Development (859) 278-0501 ext. 1272 | mbuckles@thelexingtonschool.org
Sara Myatt, Development Operations Manager (859) 278-0501 ext. 1275 | smyatt@thelexingtonschool.org
How does the endowment factor intoThe Lexington School’s annual budget?
The Lexington School endowment was initially funded by the Board of Trustees to create an investment that would provide long-term financial stability for TLS.
Originally started in the 1980s, the endowment has grown over the past 40+ years. Ensuring the endowment can continue to be a financial resource for the school requires the Board to adhere to a spending policy. This policy is designed to make funds available for the budget while allowing for continued growth. The Board may draw 4-5% of the interest generated from the endowment each year. This year, the school budget will receive a little under $2 million from the endowment.
All three revenue sources Tuition, Fundraising, and the Endowment are important in helping to keep a balanced budget while providing the exceptional Lexington School education!