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1. How does the Founding Our Second Century Campaign differ from Parker's Annual Fund and special events such as the Parker Auction and Scholarship Dinners?
Parker's annual fundraising activities seek to raise integral support towards the annual operating budget. The Campaign focuses specifically on long-term capital and endowment needs.
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2. What is the Campaign goal and how will it be allocated? How much has been raised so far?
The Founding Our Second Century Campaign seeks to raise $89 million. The $89 million will be divided between endowment ($39 million) and capital improvements ($45 million) with only 5.6 percent of the overall goal allocated for Campaign expenses and financing construction. To date, we have raised approximately $68 million.
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3. How much does Parker have in its endowment currently? Why does it need to be higher?
As of June 2008, Parker had more than $19 million in its endowment, which is among the lowest endowments when compared to other independent schools around the country. Parker needs to grow its endowment from $13 million, its level at the beginning of the Campaign, to more than $50 million in order to sustain and enhance the school's commitment to its curriculum, teachers, student body and facilities. If Parker does not keep pace with its peers, the school will lose faculty and students to schools that are better equipped and children will lose the opportunity to have the Parker experience.
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4. What can a $50 million endowment accomplish?
The income from a $50 million endowment will support as much as 10 percent of the school's operating budget, as opposed to only two or three percent, which is what the endowment covers currently. This increased financial infrastructure provides the essential flexibility that allows the school's leadership to:
- Improve and enhance innovative academic programs at all levels
- Recruit and retain the best teachers through endowed department chairs, faculty development programs and tuition remission for their children
- Enroll a talented and diverse student body representing families of all backgrounds and financial circumstances, including providing financial aid
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5. How would the endowment help to enhance Parker's curriculum?
Innovative programs already in place that would be further enhanced through endowment growth include:
- Foreign language programming in the Lower School and Mandarin Chinese in the Upper School
- Math and reading support in the Lower School
- Model U.N. programs in the Upper and Middle Schools
- Engineering courses in the Upper School
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6. How does the endowment help enhance financial aid opportunities?
Currently 17.5 percent of the student body receives financial aid, representing students at every grade level. An increased endowment relieves pressure on the operating budget and other fundraising efforts so that Parker's financial aid program can keep pace with tuition expenses and ensure the school's socioeconomic diversity.
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7. An $89 million campaign seems so large, do smaller gifts even make a difference?
Yes! In order to fully fund our endowment and achieve our other Campaign goals, we will rely on broad-based participation and the generosity of the entire Parker community, including current Parker families, parents emeriti, alumni and grandparents.
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8. Will the Campaign accept bequests and other forms of estate planning gifts?
Yes, bequests and planned gifts such as charitable remainder and lead trusts are wonderful ways to build Parker's endowment while, in many cases, providing a benefit to the donor as well.
Click here to download the planned giving brochure to learn more about the Anita McCormick Blaine Planned Giving Society..
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9. How much am I expected to give?
There is no "set" amount expected as financial needs and abilities vary with every household. We can't stress enough that every gift makes an impact on our goal.
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10. Is my gift to the Campaign tax-deductible?
Your gift to Parker, a charitable nonprofit organization, is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. You will be provided an authorized receipt for tax recording purposes.
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11. Is it possible to have my gift matched?
Yes, if your employer has a matching gift program. Your employer may match certain employee contributions to nonprofit institutions, such as Francis W. Parker School. This could double or triple your investment! Check with your Personnel Office or Human Resources Department to see if your employer has a matching gift program.
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12. How do I make a gift of stock?
Publicly traded stocks make an excellent gift and can easily be transferred to Francis W. Parker School. Stock gifts may be transferred electronically, broker-to-broker or the actual certificates of stock may be mailed or hand-delivered. Actual stock certificates must be properly endorsed and accompanied by a signed Notice of Stock Power. To initiate an electronic stock transfer, you should contact your broker to direct the transfer to Francis W. Parker School. You must provide your broker with the school's brokerage account information and DTC number. Please contact the Development Office at 773-797-5523 for this information.
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