Why is the Annual Fund so important?
The Annual Fund is essential to Sun Valley Community School’s continued fiscal health. Every year, the school must raise approximately five percent of its annual operating budget from this fundraiser, which represents the second largest source of unrestricted operating funds after tuition. Annual Fund dollars sustain the excellence of a Sun Valley Community School education and its unique programs and support teacher salaries, classroom enrichment, and financial aid to well-qualified students.
A successful Annual Fund campaign delivers a powerful message that the school community speaks with one voice regarding its commitment to an outstanding Sun Valley Community School experience. Strong Annual Fund participation demonstrates this strength of purpose to potential applicants and their families, supporters of the school, prospective employees, and members of the community.
Why doesn’t tuition cover the full cost of school operations?
Revenue from tuition and fees covers only about 82 percent of the cost of running our extraordinary school and its outstanding programs. Independent schools raise revenue through annual giving to help cover operating expenses. Instead of increasing tuition to meet the full cost of operations, annual giving allows school constituencies to bridge this gap on a tax-deductible basis.
The Annual Fund is a critical component of Sun Valley Community School’s annual giving. The school’s other fundraiser, the annual Auction, also plays an important role in raising money and building community, but is not a substitute for the Annual Fund.
How are Annual Fund dollars used?
Annual giving touches every student and helps sustain everything that makes a Sun Valley Community School education extraordinary. Annual Fund dollars support the hiring and retention of outstanding faculty members, provide the resources to enhance academic and extracurricular programs, ECC–12, allow the school to properly maintain its facilities, and enable the school to offer aid to well-qualified students who otherwise would not be able to afford a Sun Valley Community School education.
I currently have a child/children attending Sun Valley Community School. How much should my family give?
That is a personal decision. Achieving 100 percent parent participation is meaningful, so deciding the giving level that is right for your family and participating during the parent-led campaign timetable is most important. Ideally, a family’s giving reflects their commitment to Sun Valley Community School, their desire to support the school’s mission, and their individual circumstances.
When does the Annual Fund take place? How long is the campaign?The parent-led Annual Fund campaign takes place in the fall for approximately seven weeks. An alumni campaign is also conducted once a year, typically in the spring. However, Sun Valley Community School gratefully accepts Annual Fund gifts throughout the year and records those gifts in the fiscal year in which they are received. Sun Valley Community School’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Will my Annual Fund gift support the school’s efforts around the pandemic?
The school has incurred and will continue to incur costs to address the pandemic and to best deliver our educational program during this unprecedented time. Gifts to the Annual Fund will in part contribute to these expenses, which include but are not limited to upgraded technology to enhance connected learning, access to Chromebooks for student usage, additional furniture to adapt learning spaces, increased cleaning protocols, and hiring a full-time Health Services Coordinator. If you are interested in specifically supporting COVID-19 Relief efforts, please contact Trent Smither in the Development Office for further details.
I prefer to make a gift in 2021. Can I make a pledge during the fall campaign and give a gift in 2021?
Yes! Pledges made during the parent-led fall campaign count toward the success of the 2020-21 Annual Fund. Pledges may be fulfilled anytime prior to the school’s June 30, 2021 fiscal year-end.
Who should I call if I have any further questions?
Please direct more specific questions to Trent Smither at 208-720-5234 or tsmither@communityschool.org.
