Fall 2012/Winter 2013 - Glenelg Country School

Annual GivingAnnual FundDear Friends of Glenelg Country School:2011 – 2012Donor ReportWe have had a terrific year at Glenelg Country School, and we would like to thank all of you for your generosity.Giving Shape to the futureBy Michele DeMusis, Parent Chair of Annual FundLike many things at GCS, the Annual Fund has a yearlyrhythm. We have appeal letters in the fall, reminderpostcards in the spring, and Mr. Ventre’s encouragement togive at Back To School Nights. We look for the Dragon oncampus during Pledge Week and watch for tag days orice cream parties for our children’s classes. And most of useventually find our names on the list of donors who keep theAnnual Fund going from year to year.This year, though, things are a little different. We havemore energy, more volunteers, and more input from parents.Most importantly, we have more donors and broaderparticipation than last year. Last year at this time, only 20percent of parents had contributed to the Annual Fund.This year, parent participation has already doubled to 46percent after a successful Pledge Week. We have alreadyraised more than $500,000 in support of our school. Wehave a long way to go – only about two-thirds of GCSfamilies participated in last year’s Annual Fund, whereasparent participation at local independent schools hoversaround 80 percent. But we are off to a great start.Why the difference? The need for the Annual Fundhas always been urgent, but this year the school hascommunicated more information about how essentialthe Annual Fund is – that it is not an extra, but rather anecessary part of our school’s budget, without which wecan’t pay either our teachers or our phone bills. In addition,perhaps families have responded to the opportunity todesignate part of their gift to whatever aspect of GCSmakes their child’s experience special – the arts, a sportsteam, an academic department.We hope, though, that the early success of this year’sAnnual Fund may also be a sign of greater involvement andcommitment to our school throughout the GCS community.This year, in response to the Board of Trustees’ surveys andforums, many of us are thinking about what it is that wevalue at GCS, and coming forward to share our visions forits future. Our financial support, in addition to our feedback,is essential to shaping that future.So if you have already given to the Annual Fund, thankyou. If you haven’t yet, please consider doing so. Yourparticipation, at whatever level is best for your family, iswhat GCS needs to thrive.Thank you all for your time, your ideas, and for yourgenerous support of our school.We are proud to report that the 2011 – 2012 Annual Fund raised $577,900 with support from parents, alumni, andfaculty, as well as from grandparents, alumni parents, and friends. This crucial support not only bridged the differencebetween tuition and the actual cost of a GCS education, it also helped to fund extracurricular programs, new programinitiatives, as well as faculty salaries and benefits. Parents, grandparents, and alumni continued to show strides towardstronger participation, while faculty participation remained an incredible 100 percent for the fourth consecutive year.Giving to special projects increased with gifts to athletics, performing and visual arts, and technology.As a result of our community’s strong support of the Fall Challenge Campaign, GCS has reduced its debt by $5.6 milliondollars. Mr. and Mrs. Kingdon Gould, Jr., not only matched the support of our community, but also provided funds for thenewly-constructed competition track and turf field. Our student athletes deserve the best, and we are deeply appreciativethat they made this possible. A grand dedication ceremony is being planned for this spring.We would like to thank our fellow Board members for their continued generous support and leadership, and on their behalf,we thank all of you for all that you do for the students of Glenelg Country School.Sincerely,James R. Moxley, III ‘74 Dr. Tarun Saini ’89 Stacia K. SmithPast Chair, Board of Trustees Chair, Board of Trustees Chair, Development Committee2011 – 2012 2012 – 2013 2012 – 201350Spiortad an DràgoinAnnual Donor Report 2011 – 2012 51