A Guide to Giving and Getting Involved
Financial Overview
Summit is committed to prudent financial planning. As an independent school, Summit receives no financial support from federal, state, or local governments. The sole sources of revenue are tuition, charitable gifts, income from invested reserves, and proceeds from special activities and events.
Like all independent schools, Summit must raise additional funds beyond tuition revenue to balance the budget and provide for the future. Even families who pay full tuition receive a subsidy of approximately $2,300 annually toward their child’s education. Your financial support to The Summit Fund allows the school to provide a first-rate education for students while keeping tuition increases modest.
Within a school year you will have many opportunities to engage.
Your participation is essential to the success of our community.
Endowment
Summit’s endowment funds, established in 1959, have grown to more than $18,700,000 and generate $850,000 annually for the operating budget. The Board’s policy is to spend up to 5% of a three year rolling average of the value of the endowment for operations. Gifts to the general endowment fund are always welcome; additionally, a gift of $50,000 or more can establish a permanent, named endowment.
A generous community supports Summit’s mission.
Since its founding in 1933, each Summit School family has played an important role in the school communit y. Summit parents share the responsibilities of meeting the school’s educational goals and ensuring a soundly governed and financially healthy institution.
Summit encourages parents to actively participate in daily school life and provide financial support beyond tuition. Through volunteer opportunities, special events, and fundraising e orts, the school o ers a variety of ways to become involved.
Educating a child requires:
An exceptional faculty, a curriculum that develops fluency, creativity, and competency, and the involvement of parents.
Giving Opportunities
We need your help this year to achieve two important goals— The Summit Fund and Seeding Possibilities Campaigns—both of which are critical to o ering the best possible experience for our students. We hope you will consider supporting both.
The Summit Fund is the primary way for alums, parents, grandparents, past parents, and friends to support the annual operations of our school. By giving, you help Summit take advantage of mission-driven, real-time innovations that keep a Summit education dynamic— both in and out of the classroom. Annual participation is strongly encouraged.
Onward & Upward Society
Summit Stars
1933 Council
Founders’ Society
Head’s Team
Pioneer Circle
$20,000+
$10,000-$19,999
$5,000-$9,999
$3,000-$4,999
$2,300-$2,999
Futrell Friends Lewis Legends Adams Architects Summit Supporters Collegiate Honors Eagles’ Nest
$1,000-$2,299
$500-$999
$250-$499 up to $249 Alumni in College Alumni in High School
The Seeding Possibilities Comprehensive Campaign was created to support the long-term strength and success of our students and faculty. The campaign will help build the SEED (Science, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Design) Center, grow endowments for the Center for Excellence and Innovation (CEI) and financial aid, as well as provide essential resources to sustain our strategic priorities and inspire innovative, interdisciplinary learning for years to come.
Matching Gifts
Make your gift go twice as far! Matching gifts from your employer is a great way to leverage additional dollars to support Summit. Please check with your company to see if they can assist you with this process. Remember that gifts from spouses and retirees may also be eligible.
Getting Involved
Family Association Committees
Summit o ers a variety of volunteer opportunities that coordinate enrichment and fundraising activities to benefit all Summit students. These activities provide assistance to classroom teachers and sta as well as financial support through “fun raisers” such as school pictures, the Back to School Bash, May Frolics, and the biennial Gala. Proceeds from these activities are used for special projects throughout the entire campus. There are many opportunities to get involved, and we welcome parents, grandparents, caregivers, older siblings, and family friends to participate. Thank you for your interest! If you have any questions, please email family.association@summitmail.org
• Advancement O ce Support
• Athletics
• Back to School Bash
• Costume Room
• Faculty and Sta Appreciation
• Gala (2027)
• Garden Guardians
• Grade Representative
• Lower School Library
• Upper School Library
• May Frolics
• New Families Committee
• Summit Fund
• Yearbook Photos
Parent Checklist for Giving & Getting Involved
2025-2026
Sign Up to Volunteer
New Parent Social
4th & 5th Grade Parents’ Night
9th Grade Family Breakfast
Parents’ Back to School Co ee
Contribute to The Summit Fund + SEED Campaigns
Back to School Bash
Early Childhood Parents’ Night
6th & 7th Grade Parents’ Night
1st - 3rd Grade Parents’ Night
8th Grade Family Breakfast
Celebrate Summit’s Birthday (founded in 1933)
Fill the Hill
Under the Stars (parents only)
Special Persons’ Day (Lower School)
Return re-enrollment contracts to Admissions O ce
Head’s Team Reception (donors of $3,000+)
May Frolics
Donor Appreciation Event (all donors)
To make a gift, volunteer, or get more information, please contact the development o ce at (336) 724-5811 or visit summitschool.com/give