 | The Annual Fund is a significant and essential yearly effort, run from July 1 to May 31 to raise contributions which are spent within the current fiscal year only, in support of the School’s operating budget. After tuition, Annual Fund contributions are the single largest source of yearly operating income for the School (approximately 8%), and Epiphany’s continued financial health is dependent on the success of the yearly Annual Fund effort. Annual Giving is the measure of excellence between a good school and a great school.Annual Fund contributions to Epiphany range from $10 to $20,000+, and all members of the Epiphany community—parents, faculty and staff, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and other friends—are asked to participate in making an Annual Fund gift each year. In 2011-12, Annual Fund contributions totaled nearly $446,000. Historically the Board of Trustees, as well as the faculty and staff, demonstrate their commitment to the School with 100% participation in the Annual Fund. Current parents continue to be the largest source of Annual Fund giving. Annual Fund gifts support all areas of the School and are unrestricted in nature so that the contributions may be used where they are most urgently needed. The largest area supported by the Annual Fund is faculty and staff salaries, benefits, and professional development. Other significant areas affected by Annual Fund gifts are academic programs, financial aid, and facilities maintenance. For more information, or to make a gift, please contact Director of Development Jill Miller at jmiller@epiphanyschool.org?subject=Annual%20Fund or (206) 720-7667. |
Annual Fund Recognition Categories All Annual Fund donors are appreciated and will be recognized in the Annual Report.
Leadership Council donors are recognized at a reception held annually in the fall.
Leadership Council
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Honor Circle |
| Visionary Society $7,500+ |
Epiphany Advocates $1,500 - $2,499 |
| Founder's Circle $5,000 - $7,499 |
Epiphany Society $500 - $1,499 |
| Headmaster's Council $2,500 - $4,999 |
Friends of Epiphany $1 - $499 |
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| | 2012-13 Annual Fund Revenue Often Asked Questions about the Annual Fund | Q. | Who is asked to give to the Annual Fund? | | A. | All members of the Epiphany community—parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty and staff, and other friends—are asked to help provide students with a superior education by giving to the Annual Fund. |
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| Q. | Why does Epiphany need an Annual Fund when parents already pay tuition? | | A. | Tuition revenue alone is not enough to sustain the quality of an Epiphany education. In fact, tuition currently covers only 83% of the per student cost, creating a gap of approximately $3,600 per student. Unlike public schools, Epiphany School receives no state or federal funding. Therefore, Epiphany must augment tuition with Annual Fund contributions, fundraising events, and endowment income to meet its operating costs. |
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| Q. | Why not just increase tuition to cover the full cost of an Epiphany education? | | A. | As part of Epiphany’s commitment to making a superior educational experience available to as many qualified students as possible, the School seeks to maintain an affordable tuition. Raising tuition to meet all costs would mean that many of our current families would be unable to send their children to Epiphany. |
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| Q. | If our family receives financial aid, will we be asked to make an Annual Fund contribution? | | A. | Yes. The entire Epiphany community is asked to participate in the Annual Fund. While providing needed revenue, Annual Fund contributions of all sizes demostrate community support for Epiphany's mission and values. |
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| Q. | Why are we asked to give to both the Annual Fund and the Auction - doesn't the money go to the same place? | | A. |
The Annual Fund and special event fundraisers (Auction/BRAVO!) each contribute about 8% to the School’s yearly operating budget, covering the gap between tuition revenue and the cost of educating each student. Special event fundraisers provide a social way to give that sometimes yield a tangible item or experience through bidding; they also help build community. The Annual Fund is a quieter way to give and its success is less reliant on attendance. The School relies on our entire community to show support for both efforts.
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Why is it important for parents to give or pledge early (by December 31)? | | A. |
Annual Fund contributions are spent in the current school year. Because the largest source of charitable giving is from Epiphany parents, we request they give OR pledge early in the year (by December 31). This way, the School can make informed purchasing decisions, knowing the funds will follow.
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| Q. | How much should we give? | | A. | Only you can decide how much to contribute to Epiphany each year, though it is hoped that Epiphany families will make the School a philanthropic priority. |
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| Q. | How will my gift be acknowledged? | | A. | All donors to the Annual Fund will be listed in the Annual Report, alphabetically within the Annual Fund recognition categories. Additionally, Leadership Council members are honored at a fall reception, recognizing the significant impact they have on the Annual Fund's success. |
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