Annual Fund

Overview

Independent schools depend on Annual Fund gifts to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of providing a quality education.  The Annual Fund helps ensure that students study a challenging curriculum in small classes with an exceptional faculty.  Every member of The Oakwood School’s community is asked to support the Annual Fund. 

Donors in the following are Annual Fund Gift Club Levels will be recognized in our Annual Report.  Larger Annual Gift Club Levels will be invited to our Annual Fund Donor Appreciation Dinner hosted by our Head of School.

Annual Fund Gift Club Levels

In addition, The Oakwood School recognized the cumulative gifts of our generous donors under the Lifetime Giving Societies (all gifts) below. 

Of course, we acknowledge to the fullest extent all gifts in our ongoing recognition programs and publications.  These Lifetime Giving Societies members are also invited and honored at our Major Donor Appreciation gatherings, hosted by our Head of School.

Lifetime Giving Societies
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Annual Fund? 

The Annual Fund is the annual appeal to our constituents to raise much-needed operating funds that touch every facet of our School.  The Oakwood School relies on its community of parents, grandparents, alumni, past parents, friends, faculty, staff, foundations, and area businesses and corporations to contribute.  Every independent school has a gap between operating expenses and tuition income and relies on an annual appeal to help bridge that gap.  This year’s tuition revenues cover approximately 93% of the cost of educating students at Oakwood.  The Annual Fund helps to bridge this gap.

How Much Should I Give? 

It is our hope that The Oakwood School will be your family’s top philanthropic priority.  Individual gifts to the Annual Fund range from $10 to $10,000 or more.  We simply ask that you give at a level that is comfortable with your family.  Donors are recognized in the School’s Annual Report at various giving levels.

Why do we have to raise money in addition to tuition? 

To keep our School financially healthy we must keep a balanced budget.  In giving to the Annual Fund, donors have a strong voice in keeping the tuition lower, supporting the various functions of the School, and keeping the School financially healthy.  If the School only relied on tuition and did not conduct fundraisers, tuition would actually be higher.  These Annual Fund gifts are tax-deductible where as tuition dollars are not.

How often will the School solicit me for a donation?

The School begins a new Annual Fund at the start of each School year and continues to solicit funds through June 30, the end of the School’s fiscal year.  Once your pledge is made, you will not be solicited for the Annual Fund for the rest of the current fiscal year.  However the School continues to seek financial support and participation through other fundraising activities such as Eagle Classic Golf & Tennis Tournament, the spring Auction, Capital Campaign, Planned Giving, and others. 

Will my donation really make a difference to the School? 

Absolutely!  We are all a part of the Oakwood School community.  It is vital that we reach our fundraising goal for the School each fiscal year.  It is also important, because foundations, corporations, and major donors care about the level of support that is shown for the School internally.  Therefore, it is just as important that more families, more alumni, more faculty and staff, and more friends contribute toward this goal.  Any gift received, large or small, is greatly appreciated and is acknowledged with enthusiasm and gratitude.

My family has a lot of financial obligations.  Does the payment have to be made soon? 

A pledge made today helps give the campaign momentum, and does not have to be paid until June 30.   Your participation at any level is appreciated.   Meeting a 100% parent participation goal is one of the top two goals for the Annual Fund!  However, it is important to remember that contributions made early in the campaign help to reduce the expenses of the School, so the earlier payments are received the greater impact they have on our School financially.

Why doesn’t the Board set tuition to cover all costs and eliminate the fund drive? 

Oakwood strives to maintain a diverse student body, and the Board wants to keep tuition as low as possible.  Gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible, and tuition is not.  Tax laws are designed to encourage voluntary support of nonprofit groups, including independent institutions like The Oakwood School.  The current national climate has strong financial incentives to give tax-deductible gifts this year.  We encourage you to talk with your accountant, CPA, or financial advisor about your personal situation.  No independent school or college can survive on tuition alone.

Where else can the School get funds? 

In addition to parents and grandparents, the School appeals to alumni students and parents, faculty, staff, friends, foundations, and area businesses and corporations for operating funds, special programs, and endowments.  Our requests to other constituencies are strengthened if we can report an excellent parent participation response.

Why doesn’t the School cut costs? 

Oakwood wants to maintain smaller classes and varied curriculum and expanded course offerings.  We are an exceptional School because we have specialists in English, math, science, history, foreign languages, music, art, and physical education.  The high standards that Oakwood focuses on are made possible by continued investment in our staff, curriculum, athletics, equipment, technology, and support services.  We emphasize good stewardship with our resources and have maintained a solid financial standing through difficult financial times.  We are all more conscious of expenses and continue to feel money wisely spent on the education of our students, your children, is an investment in our future, but more importantly, the future of each individual student.

Is it possible to give a gift in honor or memory of someone? 

This is a great way to honor a member of the staff, a friend, or a loved one, while also supporting The Oakwood School.  On your pledge form there is a designated place for you to indicate whom you would like to honor.  Please be sure to also include the person’s address.  A special card will be sent to the recipient announcing that a gift was made to the School.  However, no amount will be revealed.

Are gifts accepted anonymously? 

Yes.  The Oakwood School respects any donor’s wish to remain anonymous in a campaign and with all other donations.

When do I need to send my donation? 

As soon as you receive your solicitation letter and pledge card, you can send in your gift and/or make a pledge that commits you to make a gift by June 30.  Once you send your pledge card with a monetary amount, you will not be solicited again for the annual fund for the academic year.  You will receive pledge reminders until your pledge is fulfilled.

How do I make a gift pledge or payment now?  

Along with cash contributions, gifts are transacted by check and credit cards.  Please click the link Ways to Give for additional options.  Make a pledge or donation online now by credit card at the link MAKE AN ONLINE GIFT NOW!  You can also designate your gift to the Annual Fund by mailing your donation to:

The Oakwood School
Attention:  Development Office
4000 MacGregor Downs Road
Greenville, NC 27834

For more information about the Annual Fund, please contact

Alicia Speight Hawk
Director of Development
The Oakwood School
4000 MacGregor Downs Road
Greenville, North Carolina 27834
252.931.0760 ext. 222
alhawk@theoakwoodschool.org

The Oakwood School’s gift year ends June 30, but you may want to contribute by December 31 to take advantage of current year tax benefits.  The Oakwood School is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Federal tax identification number is 56-1938898. 

MAKE AN ONLINE GIFT NOW!

We are deeply grateful for the many who make the Oakwood School their philanthropic priority and volunteer their time and talents to help to ensure that our future remains bright.

The Oakwood School is proud to be certified for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS I-20) for international students interested in attending The Oakwood School.