BE INVOLVED & BE INVESTED

THE SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL COUNTS ON YOU

The San Francisco School

cultivates and celebrates

the intellectual, imaginative

and humanitarian promise

of each student in a

community that practices

mutual respect, embraces

diversity and inspires

a passion for learning.

MISSION STATEMENT

BE INVOLVED.

Volunteerism is the key to the ongoing success of The San Francisco School. It is not only an invaluable contribution through the gift of time, but it builds community and provides an example for our students. As our children watch parents, grandparents and alumni generously give of their time and talent, they learn the importance of giving back and getting involved.

What does volunteering look like at The San Francisco School?

There are many ways to get involved and various levels of commitment. Here are a few:

• Chaperone field trips

• Serve as a Class Captain for the Annual Fund

• Assist in the Library and Adventure Playground

• Solicit donations for the Auction

• Serve as a Room Parent

• Participate in a Diversity or Public Purpose Committee meeting

• Volunteer at annual Workday Parties

• Volunteer as a tour guide

• Represent the school at an open house or school fair

• Contribute your time and high-level decision making as a trustee

“ I LOVE THAT OUR SCHOOL IS A ‘ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND GET INVOLVED’ COMMUNITY. WITH THE DIVERSE RANGE OF SKILLS AND TALENTS REPRESENTED ACROSS OUR PARENT COMMUNITY, THERE ARE VERY FEW TASKS THAT SEEM INSURMOUNTABLE.”

STEVE MORRIS Head of School

What are the benefits of volunteering?

Volunteering is an expression of your interest and commitment to your child’s school life. Volunteering at the school provides many benefits including the opportunity to meet other parents and your child’s classmates. It also provides an insight into the school: who the staff, teachers and volunteer leaders are, and how the mission is carried out.

How can I be most helpful to the school as a volunteer?

• Start small: Take your time to find out what the school needs, and how various volunteer projects match your own volunteer interests. Schools, including SFS, have their own unique culture, so take your time to learn and observe.

• Branch out: Volunteer for opportunities that put you in touch with a wide range of parents. Aside from making new connections, this is a good way to learn more about your child’s classmates.

• Be flexible: The school understands that two-career families or single working parents are limited during the day. Let the school know you want to help out but can only do so from home or for a very specific project.

• Share your expertise: The school appreciates help from parents experienced in health, legal matters, real estate, finance or insurance. This is a valuable resource to the school and may be especially suitable for working parents.

(Adapted from NAIS publication, Gifts that Give Back.)

BE INVESTED.

GIVINGThe San Francisco School educates children to become engaged, curious and confident learners. Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of educating each child. All independent schools across the country depend on philanthropy to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of providing their education.

Donations allow the school to thrive and hold true to its mission of hiring talented teachers, having small classes, being an economically diverse community, maintaining a quality learning environment, having a world class art and music program, delivering top-notch learning services, and providing individualized attention for every student.

In addition to annual giving, schools regularly undertake capital projects, which may include campus enhancements or efforts to raise funds for a specific part of the endowment. Most recently, the school community contributed in excess of $5 million for the new Community Center and classrooms.

“ ONE THING THAT I LOVE ABOUT SFS IS THAT SO MANY—OVER 90%— OF THE SCHOOL FAMILIES CONTRIBUTE TO THE ANNUAL FUND. MY HUSBAND HANS LIKES TO THINK OF IT AS A BARN BUILDING. IT’S A COMMUNITY ENDEAVOR—WHERE EVERYONE PITCHES IN. THIS COMMUNAL EFFORT INSPIRES US TO MAKE SFS OUR FAMILY’S TOP GIVING PRIORITY.”

MARIAN BALDAUF Chair, Board of Trustees

ANNUAL GIVINGAt The San Francisco School, we know that families have different abilities to give but we do ask that every family participate, at a level that is meaningful to your situation, to each of our annual giving endeavors. At The San Francisco School, these annual efforts include the Annual Fund, Walkathon and Auction for Tuition Assistance.

Annual FundThe Annual Fund is the single most important annual fundraiser at all independent schools because it raises critical funds to bridge the financial gap between tuition and the cost of running the school. The Annual Fund takes place in the fall, running from September to December, and includes gifts from parents, staff, alumni parents and alum, grandparents, and friends of the school.

WalkathonThe Walkathon and All School Picnic is a long-standing tradition when the community gathers each fall, to raise money for campus improvement projects. Since 1980, students of all grade levels have gathered and participated by walking, jogging and running laps in an hour-long event. The All School Picnic follows, providing school families the opportunity to socialize with others in the school community.

Auction for Tuition AssistanceThe Annual Auction for Tuition Assistance is a multifaceted fundraising effort, including both an Online Auction and a fun-filled Auction evening event, which together raises funds for the school’s Indexed Tuition Program. 100% of the proceeds go to our supporting our core commitment to tuition assistance. Parents, alumni parents, alumni (21+), grandparents, community members and friends of the school are invited to participate in and attend the Auction. Parents are also asked to volunteer their time and resources by soliciting and/or donating items to be auctioned.

STRATEGIC GIVINGTo help ensure the financial stability of The San Francisco School, the school has an ongoing major gifts effort for those families with the interest in making a major financial investment and the capacity to do so. The Major Gifts program supports special needs that require contributed funds in addition to Annual Giving. The school has projects and opportunities that are in need of funding, including scholarships, facilities improvements, technology and equipment for our academic programs.

Capital Giving & Endowment

Any gift that is designated for a particular initiative, such as endowment support, scholarship assistance, or building renovation, is a capital gift.

Capital gifts are made in the form of cash, securities, or property. Capital gifts of a certain magnitude may be used for naming opportunities—for example, a classroom or a scholarship fund may be named for the donor or in honor of another person of the donor’s choosing.

In the past 45 years, the school has run multiple capital efforts to expand and make significant improvements to our campus. The most recent campaigns include Campaign 2000, which raised nearly $2.5 million to build the Edeli Building, the Shaping Our Future Campaign, which secured more than $1 million for the endowment and most recently the successful $5 million Community at the Center Campaign with all funds going towards the completion of our new Community Center.

The San Francisco School is fortunate to have an en-dowment of $3 million.This investment in the school’s future will support the school in perpetuity— with the principal never spent, but the annual investment earnings providing critical funding to the school. It is a gift that keeps giving.

WAYS TO GIVEThe San Francisco School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (#94-1629702) and gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. The school accepts various methods of support the school, including:

OnlineYou may donate to The San Francisco School online at www.sfschool.org/donate.

By PhoneGifts are gladly accepted over the phone with a credit card at 415.239.1475.

By MailGifts can be mailed to the The San Francisco School, 300 Gaven Street, San Francisco CA 94134 Attn: Advancement Office.

With Securities A gift to the school of appreciated securities are gladly accepted. For more details and information, please contact the Advancement Office at 415.239.1475.

As a Matching Gift Many employers have established a matching gifts program that allows an employee’s gift to be matched, often 1:1. Please ask your employer about their matching gifts guidelines. If available, please inform the school that the gift will be matched at the time of the donation.

As a BequestFor more information about including The San Francisco School in your estate plans, please contact the Advancement Office at 415.239.1475.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

SUPPORTING THE ENDOWMENTEstablish a Named Endowment FundNamed Funds may be established with a cumulative gift of $25,000. Endowment gifts can be directed to specific funds, including the General Fund, Tuition Assistance Fund, Academic Innovation Fund, Art and Music Fund, Performance and Athletic Space Fund, Equity and Justice Fund and the Library and Technology Fund.

Join The San Francisco School Legacy SocietyA tremendous way to support the school’s Endowment is to include the school in your Will/Trust. We recognize that your bequest intentions are a personal matter, and you may wish to keep them confidential. If you are willing to share them, the school would like to acknowledge your intentions publicly. Whether or not you choose to make this information public, you are eligible for membership in the The San Francisco School Legacy Society, an honorary giving society.

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