Giving

The Country Day Fund

Giving questions? We have answers!

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • Q: What is the Country Day Fund?

    The Annual Fund is now called the Country Day Fund. The Country Day Fund is the school’s most important annual fundraising priority. It provides unrestricted funds that directly support the operating budget. The Country Day Fund benefits every student every year by bridging the gap between tuition revenue and the actual cost of providing a Country Day education.
     

  • Q: Where do the Country Day Fund Dollars go?

    All contributions to the Country Day Fund go directly into the current school year’s budget, so your contribution helps fund everything that happens at Country Day. Contributions to the Country Day Fund support:
    • Our talented and dedicated faculty
    • An advanced visual and performing arts program
    • A full-spectrum athletic program
    • An enriched student life
    • Advanced technology
    • An exceptional campus and facilities
    • A culture rich in tradition

  • Q: Who gives to the Country Day Fund?

    Alumni, parents, trustees, faculty, staff, grandparents, parents of alumni, foundations, corporations and friends.

  • Q: Doesn't tuition cover the cost of these expenses?

    The cost of a Country Day education is significant, but tuition alone does not cover the entire cost to educate a Country Day student. Thus, every student actually receives a subsidy made possible through annual giving to the Country Day Fund. Nearly 5% of the 2019-2020 operating budget is funded by the Country Day Fund. For this reason, it is the school’s primary annual fundraising priority.
     

  • Q: How much should I give?

    We ask each person to participate at a level appropriate for his or her circumstances. Gifts at all levels are vital to the success of the Country Day Fund and are appreciated. I Want to participate, but do small gifts really matter? They really do! In fact, more than a quarter of the gifts made to the Country Day Fund are gifts of $100 or less.

    Furthermore, participation in the Country Day Fund indicates overall support of the school, which is extremely important to outside funding sources, such as foundations. For example, when considering whether to award a grant to Country Day, a foundation will ask about participation percentages from alumni, parents, faculty, and trustees. In short, all corporate and foundation giving begins with you.

  • Q: When should I give?

    Now! Although the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2020, an early gift or pledge (even if you don’t pay until later) saves the school the cost of additional mailings, helps build momentum and allows our volunteers more time to concentrate on gifts from those less familiar with the importance of the Country Day Fund.

  • Q: What is reunion giving?

    We encourage classes to set special Country Day Fund goals in honor of their reunions. The spirit of participation and generosity lends a sense of pride to all who take part. Reunion Giving is a special way for a class as a whole to help preserve the past and invest in the future of Country Day as others have done before.

  • Q: What is the Associates' Dinner?

    Each year, individuals who make gifts at the Associates level or higher ($1,500+) are recognized for their leadership contributions and are invited to a special event in their honor. The Associates’ Dinner is held each Fall at the home of a member of the Country Day community. We hope you will join this leadership group by becoming a Country Day Associate.

    For more information on how you can support the 2019-2020 Country Day Fund, please contact our Director of Development at (504) 849-3112.

The Country Day Fund Giving Levels

BENEFACTORS
$50,000 and above

FOUNDER CIRCLE
$20,000 - $49,999

TRUSTEES CIRCLE
$10,000 - $19,999

COUNTRY DAY COUNCIL
$5,000 - $9,999

ASSOCIATES OF EXCELLENCE
$2,500 - $4,999

ASSOCIATES
$1,500 - $2,499

FELLOWS
$500 - $1,499

RED AND BLUE CLUB
$250 - $499

DECADE CLUB
Young alumni who graduated within the last decade (2009-2019) and give $10 for every year since graduation.

Matching Gifts

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Staff

List of 5 members.

  • Photo of Lori Gordillo

    Mrs. Lori Gordillo 

    Director of Development
    (504) 849-3111
    Smith College - BA
    Tulane Law School - JD
  • Photo of Caroline Jacobs

    Caroline Jacobs 

    Metairie Park Country Day School
    Director of Annual Giving
    (504) 849-3112
  • Photo of Pamela Guter

    Mrs. Pamela Guter 

    Development Assistant, BSU Advisor
    Southern University - B.S.
    Troy State University - Masters
  • Photo of Jennifer Marsiglia

    Mrs. Jennifer  Marsiglia 97

    Metairie Park Country Day School
    Director of Alumni Relations
    (504) 849-3114
    Metairie Park Country Day School
    Tulane Law School - J.D.
    Vanderbilt University - B.S.
  • Photo of Julie Bordes

    Mrs. Julie Bordes 

    Director of Marketing and Public Relations
    Spring Hill College - Masters in Business Administration
    Spring Hill College - Masters in Business Administration
300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 837-5204
Established in 1929, Metairie Park Country Day School is a coed private school for New Orleans area students in early childhood through Grade 12. From the elementary grades through upper school, the care and cultivation of each child comes to life in our exciting academic program, creative arts, and competitive athletic offerings.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: Based on receipt of federal financial assistance through a Paycheck Protection Program loan administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CAREs Act, the School acknowledges its obligation to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, citizenship status, genetic information, handicap or disability in admissions, access, employment, tuition assistance, educational policies, or other school-administered student and employee programs and activities.  Questions regarding the School’s compliance with the application and administration of the School’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed Mike McGuire, Athletic Director (Title IX), mike_mcguire@mpcds.com, 504-849-3190, 300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005; Jen Sciortino, Director of Academic Excellence (Section 504), jen_sciortino@mpcds.com, 504-838-3304, 300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005; Bonnie LaGraize, Chief Financial Officer (Title IX and Section 504), bonnie_lagraize@mpcds.com, 504-849-3106, 300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005, or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or to the SBA.  Please refer to the School’s SBA Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy on the School’s website for information on how to file complaints with OCR or the SBA.

This notice will remain in effect until the School has satisfied and paid off the SBA Paycheck Protection Loan.