Annual Giving

Why is tuition not enough?

Like all independent schools, NPS charges less for tuition than the actual cost of a year’s education. NPS maintains tuition as low as possible to enable more families to afford an education at our school. NPS thus relies on a combination of tuition income, revenues from auxiliary programs, and charitable contributions to balance its budget. Tuition and auxiliary program income covers about 92% of operating expenses annually. The remaining 8% comes from fundraising.

Who contributes to Annual Giving?

Each year members of the entire NPS community contribute to the Annual Giving Campaign: current parents, grandparents, alumni, past parents, trustees, faculty, staff, and corporations.

Why contribute to the Annual Giving Campaign

Most importantly, because your contribution has a direct impact on the education of our children. NPS needs the funds for the excellent programs it provides. Moreover, high participation numbers help us to encourage outside donors to support the school.

Why is participation so important?

Meeting the NPS Annual Giving Campaign goals, and with that the School’s budget, requires contributions, both small and large, from the entire community. Moreover, to meet our budget NPS also applies for grants from outside sources, particularly foundations. Foundations are more inclined to award grants to schools that have consistently high constituent participation levels, as it is an indicator that easily differentiates one independent school from another.

What does the per-student gap mean?

The per student gap between tuition and program income and operating expenses is calculated in a very straightforward way: add all income sources other than fundraising, subtract all operating expenses and divide by the number of students attending the School. On average, we need to raise the resulting number, per student, through Annual Giving to balance our operating budget.

How much to contribute?

NPS values gifts of any size. In the past, contributions have ranged from $1 to $10,000 and more. Last year the average parent gift was $1,821. For the 2008-2009 school year, the per-student gap in the budget is about $1,750. We ask that our families keep this gap in mind when considering their gifts and hope that everyone will give to the best of their ability.

Should I give more if I have more than one child at NPS?

The per-student gap is indicative of that need. If your second or third child were not attending NPS, their place would be occupied by a child whose parents would presumably consider making a gift to address the per-student gap. Of course, everyone’s circumstances are unique and we only ask that you make a gift to the best of your ability

When to contribute?

You may make your gift any time before June 30, 2009 (the end of the NPS fiscal year). The sooner you make your pledge in writing, the sooner your class representative can stop reaching out to you, regardless of the timing of your payment(s). If you contribute by December 31, 2008, your gift can be counted as a 2008 tax deduction.

How can contributions be made?

Contributions to NPS can be made via cash, personal or business checks, credit cards, through family or giving foundations, and by transferring securities. Moreover, many members of our community make gifts that are doubled or sometimes even tripled through their employers’ matching gift programs. A description of each of these options is available when you click “Ways to Give.” One easy way to donate is by clicking “Donate Online!”

How does the Annual Giving Campaign work?

Annual Giving Class Representatives will start calling current NPS parents to answer any questions about the campaign and to converse about participation around mid October. All other members of our community will be contacted through a letter from a fellow member of their constituency. Should you prefer to make your contribution immediately you may do so by clicking “Donate Online!” or by contacting the Office of Development. If you would like to make a gift but do not wish to be contacted by a class representative, please let us know and we will respect your request.

How will contributions be recognized?

NPS is extremely grateful for every contribution to the Annual Fund and recognizes all donors by name in its Annual Report. We are of course happy to honor donor requests to remain anonymous, as well as requests of gifts made in the name or in honor of others.

How are contributions used?

Contributions to the Annual Giving Campaign are unrestricted so they can be used where they are needed the most. All funds donated to the Annual Giving Campaign are used to cover important operating expenses like teacher salaries and benefits, financial aid, classroom supplies, computers and equipment, and facility maintenance and repairs.

Are contributions to Annual Giving tax deductible?

All charitable donations to NPS are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Some donations, such as appreciated securities, have special value to the donors at tax time.