September 05, 2018
Dear CSS Families and Alumni,
During the recent State of the School presentation, I welcomed new and returning families to the opening of our 56th school year. The abridged webcast (12 minutes) shared here is a recap of the people and programs that make us effective, points of pride, including a 12% enrollment growth, 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 have benefited from the committed families that came before us, I ask you to consider a gift to the Annual Fund that will sustain our excellence.
All current parents will receive an Annual Fund letter and a personalized challenge from me in your mailbox in the next week.
Please take a moment to review our Fundraising Overview and 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 $50,000 challenge gift to launch our Annual Fund. We’ve been challenged to secure 60 gifts at the Claremont Society level of $1,500 or more by October 18, 2018.
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 on Friday, November 2, 2018, at Ivywild School. The combined effects of Claremont level giving and the challenge gift will help us reach our Annual Fund goals.
In addition to the Claremont Challenge we also want to hit 100% parent participation and the first class to reach 100% parent giving will receive a $250 grant to support a special class incentive. 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 – learn more about the options on the Ways to Give web page. Remember, unlike tuition, gifts are tax-deductible, and tremendous benefits are offered to donors, including the 50% tax credit offered through the Colorado Childcare Tax Credit.
Thank you for considering a 2018-2019 Annual Fund gift that supports our innovative and student-centered programs, along with the many ways you contribute to the success of your child.
All the best,
Aaron Schubach
Head of School
