The Country Day Fund

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 2018-2019 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, 2019 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 2018-2019 Country Day Fund, please contact Elaine Montgomery, Associate Director of Development, at (504) 849-3112 or elaine_montgomery@mpcds.com.