September 06, 2017
Dear CSS families and alumni,
During the recent State of the School presentation, I was pleased to welcome new and returning families to the opening of our 55th school year. The brief video (11 minutes) shared here is a reflection of the people and programs that make us effective, including Points of Pride and how we fuel the school’s economic engine. Please watch (and share) the State of the School presentation.
As has always been the case, The Colorado Springs School is supported by the families who believe in our mission. As we benefited from the committed families that came before us, I ask you to consider a gift to the Annual Fund that will help us sustain our excellence.
All current parents should look for a personalized Annual Fund letter from Board Chair, Pio Hocate and his wife Melissa Hocate P’27, P’20, P’16 in your mailbox in the next two weeks as they champion our current parent Annual Fund efforts. Please take a moment to review our Fundraising Overview or investigate our Annual Fund FAQs on the website if you would like to know more about our fundraising priorities and our strategy.
This year, an inspired group of donors has stepped forward with a $45,000 challenge gift to launch our Annual Fund. We’ve been challenged to secure 55 gifts at the Claremont Society level of $1,500 or more by October 11, 2017.
To meet the challenge, these gifts must be paid in full or coordinated through an automatic recurring monthly payment ($1,500/10 months = $150 per month starting in September) with the Advancement Office. We will celebrate Claremont Society donors at a leadership giving event on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at Ivywild School. The combined efforts of voluntary giving and the challenge gift would create incredible momentum toward reaching our Annual Fund goals. 
We ask every current family to make a personally meaningful gift to the Annual Fund. No gift is too large or too small. Participation matters. Our faculty/staff and Board of Trustees have had 100% giving for many years, and it is important for parent participation to reach those numbers as we seek external donors and funding from grants. Many families make a commitment to an indefinite recurring credit card gift which is automatically charged monthly (e.g., $25 per month X 12 months = $300 gift). Gifts can be made in a variety of ways such as cash, check, stock transfers – discover the vehicles for giving on the Ways to Give web page. And remember, unlike tuition, gifts are tax-deductible, and tremendous benefits are offered to the school, including the 50% tax credit offered through the Colorado Childcare Tax Credit.
Thank you for considering a 2017-2018 Annual Fund gift that supports our innovative and high-quality student programs. And thank you for the many ways you contribute to the success of your child.
Philanthropic giving has strengthened The Colorado Springs School for 55 years. We are thankful for the support of the 2016-2017 Honor Roll of Donors available online.
Annual Report: Honor Roll of Donors for 2016-2017
Beyond the dollars, you fuel the CSS story with your pride! Thank you for sharing your story, for cheering loudly from the sidelines and your theater seats, for volunteering your time and for referring prospective families to CSS.
All the best,
Aaron Schubach
Head of School
