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Parent Category: About Us

Published on Sunday, 30 August 2009 18:00

Your Participation in the Annual Fund

The need to raise annual unrestricted funds to support and enhance the daily efforts of Oak Grove School is critical. The Oak Grove Annual Fund helps to bridge the gap between the actual cost of educating our students and the income generated from tuition and endowment.

New, renewed, and increased yearly gifts to the annual fund provide an immediate base of support that makes a real and lasting difference. As individuals whose lives have been impacted by Oak Grove School you realize that our mission is bigger than any one of us. Your support, no matter the dollar amount, will help Oak Grove to maintain its unique educational excellence.

Annual Fund FAQs

Why do we need 100% participation?

Every gift—regardless of size—makes a difference by increasing our participation rate. Participation is an important factor when Oak Grove approaches foundations and corporations for grant support. A high level of participation tells other organizations that our alumni and parent community support Oak Grove’s mission and is willing to invest in the future of the school. On a more fundamental level, it is important for the people most directly impacted by the school to choose Oak Grove as their personal charity. Finally, full participation sends a powerful message to our teachers.

Why do private schools base tuition on 80% of actual cost rather than charging 100%?

Independent schools base tuition on several factors including keeping tuition affordable and competitive among local independent schools. For many families lower tuition allows them an opportunity to support their child’s education in the form of a tax-deductible donation. Tuition is not tax deductible.

What does my gift support?

The Annual Fund is the unrestricted fund that closes the annual gap between tuition and the actual cost of providing an Oak Grove education. It supports essential academic and core-curricular programs, faculty development initiatives, and maintenance and upkeep of the campus.

What is the Extraordinary Life Circle of Friends?

The Extraordinary Life Circle of Friend or ELCF is a group of donors that commit to contributing $1000 or more over multiple years.  It is the most sustainable avenue of support the school depends on as it allows for future planning.

Does my ELFC pledge count as my annual fund gift?

Your pledge to give an annual gift of $1,000 or more certainly counts toward the annual fund whether or not you have already paid your pledge yet for this fiscal year. Additional gifts, of course, are encouraged.

May I give monthly?

A monthly donation is an excellent way to give. A monthly donation of $50 grows to a $600 annual gift. A $600 gift to a small school like ours makes a significant difference.

Why doesn’t the gift I made to the Day of Reading or to the Endowment count toward the Annual Fund?

While gifts to Day of Reading and to the Endowment Fund are important contributions to Oak Grove’s future, they fall into a different category than Annual Fund gifts. These gifts are reserved for specific purposes and may not be used for general operating expenses. Donations to the Annual Fund are put to use immediately in Oak Grove’s annual budget. These gifts are an essential part of our day-to-day operations, which means the Annual Fund must meet a new goal each year.

What is the difference between my child’s tuition and the actual cost of her/his education?

The difference between the tuition you pay and the school’s actual cost of educating a student is approximately 20%. The 80/20 ratio is standard in independent schools across the nation including Oak Grove School. Not everyone can donate the difference between tuition and actual cost; that is why we encourage those that can give more to do so and that every parent gives what he or she can.

How do I find out how close my class is to 100% participation?

To find out how close your child’s class is to 100% participation in the Annual Fund, please ask your Parent Forum Rep. The Parent Forum Reps will receive regular updates from the Development Director.