Support

The Annual Fund

BECOME A BASH VOLUNTEER

2023-2024 Annual Fund Parent Chairs

    • Tom & Kristie Zaccagnino

    • Chris & Meghan Hurley

As you consider giving to The Benjamin School, here are some questions and answers to help guide you...

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

  • What is the Annual Fund?

    The average tuition falls about $2,500 short from the full cost of educating each student at Benjamin. The Annual Fund bridges that gap and runs in conjunction with the School's fiscal year of July 1-June 30. Gifts to the Annual Fund are a critical part of the School's operating budget every year.
  • What does the Annual Fund support?

    • Hire, retain, and professionally develop skilled faculty and staff
    • Enhance and maintain campus infrastructure (buildings, sports fields, etc...)
    • Expand technology and innovation including updated computer workstations and smartboards
    • Support the athletics, arts, and music programs (uniforms, equipment, etc...)
    • Provide financial assistance to students whose families demonstrate need and would otherwise not be able to attend Benjamin, allowing for an increasingly diverse population
    • Maintain an average student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1
  • Can I restrict my gift to a certain program or area of student life?

    The Annual Fund supports the school’s current annual operating budget, so unrestricted gifts are extremely important to the success of a balanced budget. When you give an unrestricted gift, you are giving where it is needed most. Unrestricted donations help in all aspects of student life, including keeping the student-faculty ratio 8 to 1, enhancing our sports and fine arts programs, improving campus technologies and hiring/retaining the best teachers.  
    While designating your gift to The BUC (Believing in Underrepresented Children) Fund is a restricted gift, it works in tandem with our Annual Fund.  Donors who give to this important fund are helping to supplement our financial aid budget for qualified students. You are directly impacting the life of a child who may not otherwise be able to attend the School. 
    All other restricted gift donations must be submitted for approval to Chief Development Officer Juan Carlos Fanjul at 561.472.3480 or juancarlos.fanjul@thebenjaminschool.org.
  • How much am I expected to give?

    We ask our families to give to the best of their ability and at a level that demonstrates the value placed on an exemplary education. The value of leadership-level gifts, however, cannot be underestimated. Gifts at the leadership level ($5,000 or more) account for over 75% of the support received.

    New Leadership Society Benefits
    $5,000+ Buccaneer Society
    Name highlighted in the Leadership Society section of the Mid-Year and Annual Report of Gifts
    Name highlighted on the Leadership Society plaques showcased throughout campus
    Name highlighted in the BASH Program Book
    Benefits above and an invitation to the Leadership Society Appreciation Cocktail Party in the fall

    NEW in 23-24 School Year: $25,000+ Blue and Orange Society
    Benefits above and an invitation to the Head's Appreciation Dinner, an intimate dinner gathering with Mr. Faus in the fall.  

     
  • When will I be asked to participate in the Annual Fund campaign, and how will I be asked?

    In the Fall, you will receive a postcard and emails explaining how to give to the Annual Fund. Also in the fall, parent volunteers make personal phone calls to those who have yet to donate. The phonathons are a great opportunity to ask questions about the Annual Fund.
  • Why is participation so important?

    High participation signals institutional strength and school pride. It also means that more individuals are sharing the financial responsibility to support the School. Across the nation, independent school families are making it clear that they understand the need to support schools to the best of their ability. No matter what you give, we always strive for 100% participation because it shows all families support the School.
  • Why does Benjamin ask for contributions instead of simply increasing the tuition?

    As is the case with most independent schools, tuition does not cover the total cost of educating each student. Contributions to the Annual Fund make up the difference needed to cover the actual cost of operating the school. Augmenting tuition through charitable gifts helps keep tuition at a competitive rate and provides many important programs and improvements that are essential to our mission. It's also a way for you to receive a deduction on your income tax, to the extent allowed by law.
  • How can I make a contribution, and is it tax-deductible?

    Gifts of cash/checks are the most common and efficient way to donate. Gifts of appreciated securities have beneficial tax implications. Please contact the Advancement Office at 561.472.3452 for more information. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards are accepted for gifts, and the Benjamin website can process secure transactions for these donations. (Please be aware that by using a credit card to make your donation, the School incurs a fee of 2.75% - 3.00%.) Gifts can be pledged depending on the timeframe and designation. All Annual Fund gifts to The Benjamin School are tax-deductible based on the school's 501(c)(3) charitable status.
  • Whom do I contact to make a gift or get more information?

    To make a gift or get more information, please contact the Director of Annual Giving Sheena Wilber by phone at 561.472.3483 or via email at sheena.wilber@thebenjaminschool.org.
  • Will my employer match my gift?

    Matching gifts can sometimes double, or even triple, the impact your gift makes to TBS!
    Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions
    made by their employees. 

    Use the search box below to see if your company has a matching gift policy.

     
BECOME A BASH VOLUNTEER

"We recognize that our gift to the Annual Fund helps bridge the gap between tuition dollars and the actual cost of the exceptional opportunities provided our students.It is important to us to support the faculty,staff, facilities and programs that are dedicated to helping all students realize their full potential."

Darren and Sierra Lowe
There are many ways to support The Benjamin School in addition to the Annual Fund, BASH Gala and capital gifts. To learn more about bequests, endowment and memorial gifts, please contact our Chief Development Officer Juan Carlos Fanjul '93 at
JuanCarlos.Fanjul@TheBenjaminSchool.org or 561.472.3480.
THANK YOU TBS FAMILIES FOR RECORD-HIGH PARTICIPATION IN THE 22-23 ANNUAL FUND!
SCHOOL-WIDE PARTICIPATION: 76%
A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.
 
After hours emergency contact:
Leslie Downs/Chief Operating Officer
Ph:  561.657.0075 or 561.747.0585