The Annual Fund

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• What is the Annual Fund?

  Gifts to the Annual Fund are a critical part of the School's operating budget every year. It is the money that we spend first during the current fiscal year to ensure that your child, and every child, has the best educational experience possible. We ask every parent, alumni, and faculty member to contribute to the Annual Fund and help propel Benjamin from a good school to an exceptional school.

• 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 Director of Annual and Leadership Giving Jeff Snow at 561.472.3485 or jeffrey.snow@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.
  
  

  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
  
  

  $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.  Parent participation is essential for our school's accreditation process and when securing grants from outside foundations. As you may already know, The Benjamin School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on both tuition and philanthropy to maintain its exceptional standards. 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?

  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?

  Please contact Jeff Snow, Director of Annual and Leadership Giving, at jeffrey.snow@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.