The Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is the school’s number one fundraising priority and everyone in the Orchard House community is encouraged to participate to the best of their ability. Gifts to the Annual Fund help to bridge the gap between tuition and the full cost of providing a unique and comprehensive education for each student. Representing approximately 10 percent of the school’s operating budget each year, these tax-deductible gifts provide unrestricted funds to the school for use where they are needed most. The Annual Fund may be thought of as adding cash to the school’s “checking account” to be used in the short-term.
For detailed information, including annual fund updates, answers to frequently asked questions, the Honor Role of Donors, and the Annual Report, please visit the Annual Fund page.
Endowment
Endowment gifts offer long-term stability to the school’s financial strength and are considered an essential component of an academic institution’s strategic financial plan. Endowment funds are invested for growth to provide annual support in perpetuity for its designated purposes. Sometimes referred to as a school’s “savings account,” its objective is to protect the school in times of economic adversity.
Orchard House School is very grateful to have recently received a generous bequest, from one of our founding contributors, which helped to establish and nurture our Endowment Program.
Planned Giving
Often, a deferred gift enables a donor to make a more significant contribution to Orchard House than would be possible through an outright gift. A planned gift is an opportunity to structure a gift that not only helps to provide for the future of the school, but also achieves a variety of financial objectives.
Deferred gifts may include bequests, gift annuities, life insurance policies, charitable trusts, and gifts of real estate. If you would like further information on Endowment or Planned Gifts, the development office can assist you on an individual basis. Please contact Juliet Barrett Simpson, Director of Development, at 804.228.2436 x 106.
Capital Gifts
Capital campaigns are conducted periodically to raise substantial funds for projects that meet a critical need, such as the purchase or renovation of facilities, campus improvements, technology upgrades, improved transportation, and more. A capital campaign may be conducted to raise funds for the endowment as well, either alone or as part of another capital effort. Capital efforts are often referred to as “bricks and mortar” campaigns.
Special Events
Special events are intended to be great friend-raising and fun-raising and they help to bind a community together. At the same time they can be great fundraisers – just look at the success of our Auction – attracting significant support for special initiatives like Fund-a-Cause. For information on the 2012 Auction “Light Up the Night,” visit the Auction page.
Other “friend and fundraising” events are planned for the future, one of them, an event for the arts community will make its debut in March 2012. Keep checking these pages for information.
If you have questions or comments about giving to Orchard House School, please contact the Development Office at 804.228.2436 x. 106.