Advancing Together A Guide to Engagement and Giving at Packer
Welcome
Welcome to The Packer Collegiate Institute! We’re thrilled your family has joined our vibrant and deeply engaged community—one shaped by generations of families whose partnership, generosity, and engagement have made Packer what it is today.
Our strategic vision, Learning Together, centers on three priorities: Learn, Connect, and Advance. Your involvement—through volunteerism and philanthropy—is vital to bringing this vision to life.
This brochure offers a glimpse into the many ways you can engage meaningfully with Packer and help power its future.
I’m excited to begin this journey with you!
Warmly,
Dr. Jen Weyburn Head of School
Learning Together
Learn about Packer’s mission in action through our communications and events.
We’re proud to offer parent talks, cultural events, and informational sessions—organized by school leadership and the Parent Association— to support student well-being and build an inclusive, connected community.
Breakfasts with Jen: Dr. Weyburn holds several small group gatherings for parents in each division where you can better get to know our head of school.
Division Head Coffees: Coffees offer a chance to connect with your child’s division head and ask questions in a small, casual setting.
Health and Wellness Parent Talks: Our Health and Wellness team offers regular coffee and evening talks on important topics related to student well-being and academic success.
Community Celebrations: Join us for festive gatherings often hosted by the Parent Association, that bring the Packer community together.
In addition to in-person gatherings, there are many ways to stay informed about life at Packer online:
• The Nest is your home on the Packer website, where you can find resources, a link to the Monthly Calendar of school events, and more.
• The weekly Pelican Brief newsletter previews events for the next two weeks and includes important announcements from across the school
• Monthly newsletters from your child’s division head provide division-specific updates
• The DisPAtch is your monthly snapshot of news and events from the Packer Parent Association (PA)
• Find stories from our classrooms and events on Instagram @packercollegiate and @packerathletics
Connect by volunteering and join in the fun!
Your involvement enriches our school and is a testament to our engaged community.
Parent Association (PA): The PA builds a welcoming and inclusive community by connecting families with the school and hosting events and discussion groups for parents. Help plan or simply attend community favorites like Pumpkin Patch, the Benefit, the PADEC Picnic, cultural and holiday celebrations, and more. Volunteer opportunities are available across all divisions!
Admissions Volunteer: Welcome prospective families by supporting admissions events.
Packer Fund Volunteer: Encourage your fellow parents to support our annual giving program—a critical, communitywide philanthropic effort that enhances the Packer experience for every student, faculty member, and family.
Advance through philanthropic support.
Packer has flourished over the years thanks to our community’s philanthropic investments, which ensure our continued excellence. Gifts of all sizes provide transformative opportunities for every Packer student.
The Packer Fund for Annual Giving
The Packer Fund is an essential collective effort, and we encourage all Packer families to contribute. Gifts to the Packer Fund empower Packer to invest in our stellar faculty, maintain our beautiful campus, and create a supportive, inclusive environment that encourages exceptional learning opportunities every day. We ask that you make The Packer Fund your philanthropic priority. If you have any questions, please contact giving@packer.edu or (718) 250-0231.
Giving Levels:
• Families should give at a level that is meaningful to them.
• We encourage families who can to consider a leadership gift (beginning at $1,845).
• Every gift matters: on average, gifts of $100 amounted to nearly 70% of the total number of gifts to the Packer Fund.
We strive for 100% participation in the Packer Fund from our families.
Major Gifts
Major Gifts are significant donations directed toward key strategic areas identified by the school, such as academic programs, campus enhancements, financial aid, and faculty development. For more information on these strategic opportunities, please contact Andrea Kelly, Director of Development, at (718) 250-0328 or giving@packer.edu.
FAQ
How can I get involved in the Parent Association (PA)?
Every family is a member of our Parent Association! We recommend that all families take advantage of our New Family Buddy Program, a parent peer-to-peer program designed to support new-to-Packer families or families entering a new division. It’s a great way to get to know the school and learn more about getting involved.
Our parent discussion groups aim to build community through social events and the discussion of shared issues of interest and concern. The PA works with the Packer administration to organize special events and initiatives for the community.
Volunteering for the PA is a wonderful way to meet other parents while supporting the school. You can find information on the PA section of the website or by contacting president@packerpa.org—we’d love to hear from you!
Why am I asked to participate in The Packer Fund when I already pay tuition?
Like most independent schools, tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a Packer education. Packer strives to limit tuition increases and relies on fundraising to bridge the gap between operating expenses and tuition revenue, which amounts to approximately $2,500 per student.
Average Yearly Revenue
Tuition: 88.8%
Annual Giving: 4.1%
Endowment Draw: 2.4%
Ancillary/Misc: 4.7%
Average Yearly Expenses
Salaries & Benefits: 60.4%
Financial Aid: 17.5%
Non-Staff Expenses: 13.6%
Capital Expenses: 6.5%
Debt Services: 2%
What does the Packer Fund support?
The Packer Fund provides Packer with unrestricted funds for the current fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). These gifts immediately impact every student, every teacher, every day. They enable Packer to invest in our stellar faculty, update and enhance our historic campus, and increase access through generous financial aid, which ensures we can continue to enroll the most talented students and maintain a vibrant learning environment.
How much should I contribute to annual giving at Packer?
We ask every family to make Packer a philanthropic priority while their children are here. Regardless of size, every gift is meaningful, appreciated, and helps achieve our 100% family participation goal.
The Circles of Giving
Vision Circle
$75,000 or more
Founders Circle
$50,000 - $74,999
Harriet Packer Circle
$25,000 - $49,999
William Packer Circle
$15,000 - $24,999
Pelican Circle
$10,000 - $14,999
Joralemon Circle
$5,000 - $9,999
Livingston Circle
$3,000 - $4,999
1845 Circle
$1,845 - $2,999
Community Circle
Up to $1,844
Packer educates students to:
Think Deeply
Listen Actively
Speak Courageously
Act with Purpose and Heart
WAYS TO GIVE
PARENT ASSOCIATION
