Giving to Drew

Ways to Give

Supporting Drew and our Program can take many forms. Gifts in support of the operating budget (generally to the Drew Annual Fund) are made during one fiscal year. Gifts in support of the Major Gifts Program or a Capital Campaign may be made over a period of years, depending on a donor's situation and desires. In all cases, donors should check with their financial advisors to determine their specific tax considerations or other issues that may affect their contributions. Please note that all gifts are subject to review by the Board of Trustees and must fall within the guidelines established by our Gift Acceptance Policy.

Matching Gifts

Many parents take advantage of their employer’s Matching Gifts Program to increase the value of their gift. Anyone who wants more information on "matching gifts" or who wishes to donate "in kind" goods or services is asked to contact the Development Office first to discuss how their donation might be used.

Gifts of Cash

Gifts of cash are generally considered to be tax-deductible for those donors who itemize deductions. Please see IRS Tax Code Publication 526 for more specifics. New legislation passed in August 2006 may offer donors over 70 years of age additional deductions for gifts made from IRA accounts.

Gifts of Securities

Gifts of securities or other appreciated assets may provide donors the means to make a generous gift without adversely affecting their immediate cash-flow needs. Generally, by giving the School the asset, a donor may not pay capital gains on the appreciation and may receive a tax deduction for the market value of the asset. Stocks can be easily transferred into Drew's brokerage account. You can download the "Giving Securities and Stocks" form. Please contact the Drew Development Office for more details.

Planned Giving

• You may wish to consider a "legacy gift" to Drew in support of Drew’s future and long-range visions. A bequest is a wonderful way to provide ongoing support of the School and may not be subject to estate taxes as well as possibly providing some estate planning benefits. Again, your financial planning professional may be able to provide specific information.
• It is also possible to name Drew School as the beneficiary on an insurance policy, or retirement plan (IRA, 401 (k), 403 (b), or Keogh). This also would have great benefits to Drew as well as possibly offering income and estate tax advantages.

Funding Opportunities

1. The Annual Fund
   The Annual Fund is integral for the education of the "whole" Drew student, i.e., supporting the "co-curricular" programs that create the "Drew Difference." These programs include athletics, "DEALL Days" projects and travel opportunities, the award-winning Spring Art Fest, performing arts productions, Student Life initiatives, and faculty grants for professional development. Additionally, the Annual Fund provides crucial support for Drew’s Financial Aid program. For the 2006-2007 school year, 38% of current students received some form of financial assistance ranging from 5% to 95% of full annual tuition and, on average, a student in the financial assistance program received 58% of annual tuition. For the 2006-2007 school year, $1.3 million was given to students whose families demonstrated need.
   
   Board members, faculty and staff, current parents and guardians, grandparents, "friends," alumni families, former board members and alumni are all asked to support Drew with their generosity. For the past two years, Drew's Annual Fund has raised over $300,000 – a record for the school. And, for the second year in a row, the faculty, staff, and trustees achieved 100% participation. Parent participation rates have risen substantially in recent years, hovering around 80% for the 2006-07 Annual Fund. Our goal is 100% parent participation for the 2007-08 school year.
   
   
2. The Annual PGA Fundraising Event (Auction/ Gala)
   In 2007, the "Lights! Camera! Auction!" raised a net of $100,000 including $35,000 for the Mr. Jowell Fund – all of which went directly to the financial assistance program and the operating budget. What form the annual event takes is a topic of ongoing discussion, but the School’s goal is always to have a "Drew appropriate" event that celebrates our community and is a fun and exciting evening for those who attend and for the volunteers who run it. The PGA wants your help! To become active in the annual PGA fundraising event, or any number of PGA-related activities throughout the year, please contact PGA President Mona Harroch at monasanfran@aol.com.
   
   
3. Major Gifts - "Investing in Our School for Tomorrow"
   The Major Gifts effort, originally known as the "Challenge for Excellence," is lead by the Board and Development Committee, with Head of School Sam Cuddeback’s participation. The money available for the Head’s "discretionary use" is the interest which is generated from this restricted fund. The discretionary income is used by the Head in the process of attracting and/or retaining key faculty members who are critical to Drew’s academic experience.
   
   
4. Capital Campaigns – "A Foundation for Our Program and Our Future"
   Recent History: "Drew on the Move" & The Broderick Street Challenge
   The Broderick Street Challenge was a small, Board of Trustees level effort to raise $1 million dollars in 2005 to enable Drew to buy the adjacent building on Broderick Street. This challenge was met successfully by the Board of Trustees and a small number of very generous "major donors." This project was, by design, not a broad, community-wide appeal but a specialized effort to take the next steps in the school’s Master Campus Plan. Next steps in the "Drew 100" capital campaign plans are currently being discussed.