How You Can Help

Q.  I receive letters from the Hawthorne Valley School each year requesting my participation in the Annual Fund.  What is the Annual Fund?

A. The Annual Fund is a yearly effort to raise unrestricted funds to help bridge the gap between tuition income and total operating expenses.  It is administered by the Development Committee and is accomplished by a hard-working group of volunteers.

Q.  What are the major components of the HVS operating budget?

A. Approximately 79% of the budget funds people – salaries and benefits for faculty and staff.  The remainder supports curricular programs, student financial aid, equipment, utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs.

Q.  Doesn’t tuition cover all of the annual operating expenses?

A.  No.  Tuition income at HVS covers 95% of the annual expenses.  This means that the remaining 5% must be made up from other sources.

Q.  So why not raise the tuition?

A. HVS strives to keep tuition increases modest in our ongoing effort to make Waldorf education available to as diverse a group of students as possible.

Q.  Are there other fundraising activities besides the Annual Fund at HVS?

A. Yes.  While all members of the extended community are asked to participate in the Annual Fund, HVS also engages in other fundraising activities.  We raise capital gifts to meet facility needs.  We also solicit funds for various restricted purposes including the Remedial Fund, the Library Fund, 88 Keys Fund, Playground Fund, and Scholarship Funds.  We also invite parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends to participate in the Yuletide Fair, the Gala, and the Summer Fair, as well as other events.  These events support the operating budget.

Q.  Who supports the Annual Fund?

A. Last year, hundreds of people, including parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, friends, board members, faculty and staff, and business and foundation donors who believe in the mission of HVS and support our ideals contributed to the Annual Fund.

Q. How can we strengthen corporate and foundation support for the Annual Fund?

A. Typically, corporations contribute to independent schools by matching their employees’ gifts.  As HVS is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation under the Hawthorne Valley Association, you may be able to double or triple your gift by submitting the appropriate matching gift form (available from your employer) along with your contribution.  The number of foundations supporting annual giving is small, and generally they contribute only restricted funds for specific projects.  More importantly, the likelihood of foundation support for HVS is strengthened by evidence of broad participation by our current constituents – especially parents – in the Annual Fund.  This is another reason why every gift matters.

Q. How important is the Annual Fund to HVS?

A. Very important.  Without our donation income and the positive support generated by volunteers and donors, we would be forced to make difficult decisions regarding reductions in programs and activities.

Q.  How much should I give?

A. Only you can determine that, but please be as generous as you can be and consider making a pledge or gift to the Annual Fund. For further information or to participate in any development activities, please contact Caroline Geisler, Development Director at 518 672-7092 ext. 105.