Annual Fund
As of March 19, 2010:
100% of BDS Board of Trustees have pledged to the Annual Fund
100% of BDS Faculty and Staff have pledged to the Annual Fund
60% of BDS parents have pledged to the Annual Fund
The BDS Annual Fund campaign has begun for the 2009-2010 school year. Those making a gift of $1,000 or more will again be recognized as members of the BDS Society. However, a gift at any level is greatly appreciated. Full participation among all our families is a major goal of this year's Annual Fund.
The monies raised helps to offset the difference between the costs of operating our school and tuition revenues. Any additional funds allow BDS to enhance and enrich our program. As stated in Mr. Switzer's remarks during the "Parent Night" event in August, an independent school calls for support from all constituents - and the hope is that all our families will be engaged in supporting the school financially.
To understand why BDS needs an Annual Fund, consider the financial model for independent schools. Independent schools have no government resource from which they are initially funded. BDS was created through the conviction of its founders who more than 55 years ago, put their money where their hearts were and made gifts to build the physical plant, to hire teachers, and to buy books before there were any students in the classroom. Today, once the students arrive and tuitions are paid, it's just the beginnning.
Put simply, it costs more to operate our school than tuition revenues provide. The difference comes in part from earnings on our “savings account” (otherwise known as the endowment), but principally it comes from all those who participate in our two major fundraising projects each year. They are our annual Dinner & Auction, (scheduled for March 6, 20010), and the Annual Fund.
There is another important aspect to the Annual Fund apart from the simple fact that we need the dollars raised to cover the cost of the program we want BDS students to have. Even in times when only a small contribution will fit in a family’s budget, it is important to make it. Among ourselves, it feels good to know we’re all in it together; to an outsider, the percentage of our supporters who give may be the thing that distinguishes us from the competition when we are in the running for special program grants.
The Annual Fund campaign is an effort that is overseen by the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees, with support from the Development Coordinator and the Head of School. Make a pledge or give online TODAY! Your gift is tax deductible; Burlington Day School is a 501-c3 non-profit organization.
