Parent & Giving Guardian to Thayer Academy
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Giving
Thank you to all of the members of the Thayer community who helped make the 2025-26 fiscal year the most successful in Thayer Academy history!
Financial Model
Thayer’s financial model, supported by tuition and other revenue, is supplemented by philanthropy. Annual Fund contributions and an annual distribution from Thayer’s endowment supports approximately 9% of the Academy’s operating revenue each fiscal year.
FY26 83% Tuition 9% Philanthrophy 4% Summer Programs 4% Other
Thayer’s fundraising fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. On left, see results from the 2026 fiscal year, which closed on June 30, 2026.
FY26 44% Salary & Benefits 21% Financial Aid & Remission 15% Programs 11% Other 6% General & Administrative 3% Summer Programs
Does Thayer Ask Parents/Guardians To Give Every Year? Q: Why Isn’t My Tuition Enough?
A:
Like most peer schools, Thayer finds that tuition alone does not cover the cost of the many opportunities an independent school education provides. At Thayer, tuition covers 83% of costs and philanthropy makes up the difference. Annual Fund gifts are put to use immediately, supporting core initiatives to maintain excellence across programming and in the school’s facilities. Philanthropy also provides Thayer with the resources needed to respond to innovative ideas, like creating the Business Masterclass program, expanding Global Engagement through service trips and other travel opportunities and designing a pilot in peer education.
How Can I Help? • Families can support Thayer by making an Annual Fund gift
or pledge early. Because these dollars are put to use during the year
in which they are received, early support helps the school budget for enhancements throughout the year. Parent/Guardian giving is also an important benchmark within the Independent School League (ISL) that signals satisfaction with and strong support for the institution. The current ISL average for parent/guardian participation is 77%. Parents/ Guardians are invited to make a multi-year pledge to the Annual Fund to facilitate planning for future years. To have your gift count in the current fiscal year, it must be received by June 30.
Types of Giving
Annual Giving
These gifts are used by the school within the fiscal year they are received. Annual gifts support a portion of Thayer’s budget and provide flexible funding for school priorities, including financial aid, academic, arts, and athletic programming; campus enhancements, student travel, and faculty/staff professional development.
• Families of eighth graders and seniors are encouraged to participate in their respective legacy projects. If you have a
student in the Classes of 2031 or 2027 this year, we ask that you consider a contribution to your student’s legacy project. Legacy gifts are recognized in our overall parent/guardian giving totals and count toward parent/guardian participation. Legacy projects typically range from $100,000 for the eighth grade class to $200,000 for the senior class.
• We rely on family volunteers to ensure the success of
fundraising events. This includes volunteering to help with the
planning and execution of some events as well as attending. We also hope parents/guardians will encourage grandparents, family, and friends to participate.
Capital Giving
These gifts support improvements to Thayer’s facilities. The most recent capital project is the Multisport Athletics Complex.
Parent/Guardian Giving Participation (FY 2022-2026) 100% 75% 50%
82%
82%
FY2023
81%
86%
85%
FY2024
FY2025
FY2026
25% FY2022
ISL Average for FY25:
77%
Parent/Guardian giving matters! Participation signals support for Thayer’s mission and confidence in the education Thayer provides all of our students. Help us get to 100%!
Endowment Giving
Donors who make cumulative annual gifts of $1,877 or more to the Annual Fund, Capital Giving, or the Endowment are recognized as members of Thayer’s General’s Council. Members enjoy special benefits and recognition in Thayer’s Annual Report of Giving.
Gifts to the endowment are placed into Thayer’s investment portfolio, and each year, the school receives a distribution of ~4.5% of the total. The distribution supports specific priorities as requested by endowment donors at the time the gift is received. Donors can contribute to existing endowed funds or establish a new named fund ($50K minimum gift requirement).
Parent/Guardian giving to Thayer Academy has a powerful impact that is felt each day by everyone in our vibrant community. All gifts are an investment in the success and achievements of our students, today and for the rest of their lives. The Academy is grateful for the support of generous alums, parents, guardians, grandparents, and friends whose contributions help to preserve and enrich the traditions and legacy of Thayer Academy for future generations of students.
THAYER ACADEMY ANNUAL FUND
Give online at:
www.thayer.org/support Here, you can make a one-time donation, set up a monthly or yearly recurring gift, or make a pledge payment. Thayer also welcomes gifts of securities and planned gifts.
Questions? Need more info? Contact Director of Annual Giving & Parent Relations Kelly Westerhouse for more information on giving.
Contact Director of Parent Giving Matt O’Toole ’97 P ’29 for more information on giving.
781.664.2224
781.664.2275
kwesterhouse@thayer.org
motoole@thayer.org