Our Goal: $150,000 and 100% Community Participation 2024 - 2025 ANNUAL FUND
Why is the Annual Fund so important?
Alumni students Wes Davis and Christina Colletti, and alumni teachers Fran Huntoon and Näri Penson. Wes, Christina, and Fran currently serve on our board of directors.
As a non-profit organization, our Annual Fund is top of mind. When structuring our budgets and planning for the future, we plan a yearly appeal – or request – for financial support toward general operating expenses and long term financial stability. Gifts to our Annual Fund are critical to fulfilling our mission as a place of excellence for educating the whole child.
How does it work?
Each year, The Schoolhouse has to close the gap between our published tuition and the true total cost of providing an excellent learning environment for each child.
We close this gap through public and private grants, state funds, facilities rentals, and direct fundraising, including a yearly fall appeal and a spring community fundraiser with our local business community.
Without robust fundraising, we would need to cut programming and/or raise annual tuition by between 15 and 20 percent. This could significantly alter the quality of a Schoolhouse education and limit access for a diverse range of Schoolhouse students.
How do we use the money raised?
A strong annual appeal allows The Schoolhouse to:
n Keep our programming affordable to families of very diverse means, with flexible and significant adjustments to tuition
n Continue our well-rounded literacy, math, science, art, and music curriculum
n Maintain the highest quality rating for our preschool program and receive the highest state funding available
n Invest in social justice learning opportunities for both our staff and students
n Offer enrichment programming such as Field Food Forest, Preschool in the Woods, and Linguistics and Cultural Studies
n Own a bus and train drivers for field trips and special events
n Attract and retain top teachers dedicated to our mission with competitive pay, benefits, and professional development
n Protect our high staff-to-student ratios
n Improve our building and playgrounds
n Update classroom materials and keep our library current
What do we need to reach our goal?
$10,000+: 3 donor
$5000 to $9999: 6 donors
$2500 to $4999: 3 donors
$1000 to $2499: 24 donors
$500 to $999: 20 donors
$250 to $499: 19 donors
$100 to $249: 71 donors
$5 to $99: 104 donors
What are our goals?
2024-25 total operating budget: $2,129,000
2024-25 Annual Fund goal: $150,000 and 100% community participation Our income: $2,046,977
How can we reach this year’s Annual Fund goal?
n Encourage 100% of our community to participate
n Ask our current donors to hold steady or “step up” to a higher level
n Invite new donors to give at a level appropriate to their means
n Inspire lapsed donors to recommit to annual support
How can I be a donor?
On our website: www.theschoolhousevt.org
By phone: (802) 658-4164
Check: Make checks payable to The Schoolhouse, and mail to The Schoolhouse Learning Center, Inc., 8 Catkin Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403
Matching Gifts: Ask your employer if they will match your charitable gift.
Tribute or Memorial Gifts: Make a gift in honor of a loved one or to commemorate a special occasion. We will notify the honoree or family of your generosity.
Stocks/Bonds: Transfer a gift of appreciated stocks or bonds. These may qualify for certain tax benefits.
Life Insurance: Donate a life insurance policy and name The Schoolhouse as beneficiary.
Planned Gifts: Include The Schoolhouse in your giving through a charitable gift annuity, donoradvised fund, charitable trust, or other estate planning vehicles.
In-Kind Gifts: We are happy to accept certain non-monetary donations; please contact us in advance to confirm that we are able to put your donation to use.
8 Catkin Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403 phone: 802-658-4164 fax: 802-864-0636 www.theschoolhousevt.org Credit