Annual Fund

Your gift to the Annual Fund helps empower our students to keep moving forward on their journeys.

Every day, our teachers encourage students to challenge their assumptions about what they can and cannot do, so they get the message that even when the going gets tough, there’s always a way forward. This mindset doesn’t only help students succeed at DVFriends; it helps students shift into high gear so they believe they can achieve what they set out to do.

This is where the Annual Fund comes in. This mission-critical fundraising supports all aspects of the DV experience, from ongoing professional development for teachers, to robust offerings in the arts, athletics, and experiential learning (ABLE), among many others. The Annual Fund supports the greatest needs of the school at any given moment, and has a direct and immediate impact on our students, faculty, and programs.

We hope you'll give as generously as you can, knowing that gifts of any amount are valued and appreciated.

Leadership Gifts and Giving Levels

The 1986 Society recognizes and lists leadership gifts of $1,000 or more.
Head's Circle: $25,000 +

Bayard Rustin Circle: $10,000 - $24,999

Lucretia Mott Circle: $5,000 - $9,999

Green and White Circle: $1,000 - $4,999

Stewards and Supporters will be listed by their relationship to DVFriends (parent, alum, etc.)

Steward: $500 - $999

Supporter: Up to $499

DVFriends Annual Fund FAQ

What is the DVFriends Annual Fund, and how is it different from other fundraising at the school?

DVFriends Annual Fund gifts contribute to the school’s operating budget. They are unrestricted, which means they can be used in whatever way the school needs most. These gifts allow the school to respond quickly to needs, and have an immediate and noticeable impact on DV’s day-to-day life.

The Annual Fund bridges the gap between tuition revenue and the actual cost of educating students. This means that the Annual Fund supports things like:

Faculty salaries
Financial aid
Technology for classrooms
Athletics
Arts

What size gift should I make?

All gifts are important to the school, so make a gift of whatever size is comfortable for you. For all parents and grandparents who are new to the school, there is a suggested amount in the first Annual Fund letter you receive from us. However, you may be more comfortable with a smaller gift, or perhaps you can afford to make a larger gift. Last year, Annual Fund gifts ranged from $20 to $25,000.

I receive tuition assistance from the school. Does it send the wrong message if I make a gift to the Annual Fund?

Not at all. Making a charitable gift is a great way of showing your appreciation to the school for the tuition assistance your family receives. Your charitable giving has absolutely no impact on Financial Aid Committee decisions - but it has a big impact on the school.

I pay full tuition. Why should I make an additional gift on top of that?

Tuition does not cover the full cost to educate a student. Charitable gifts bridge the gap between tuition and actual costs. This means that every family benefits from gift income, regardless of how much tuition they are responsible for.

In 2019-20, tuition in the Upper School was $40,190, and the actual cost to educate a student was $48,129. That means that the school covered $7,940 in costs for every student. Gifts help cover these additional costs for all families, even those paying full tuition.

I already give in other ways, like through EITC/OSTC, or by attending fundraising events. Why should I make a gift to the Annual Fund, as well?

Many of our other giving opportunities are restricted for a specific use. For example, all funds raised through tax credit programs (EITC/OSTC) support tuition assistance; funds raised through Lighting the Way may support different needs each year.

Funds raised through the DVFriends Annual Fund, on the other hand, are unrestricted and can be used for whatever the school needs most at any given time. They can support unexpected needs quickly, and help DV stay competitive with teacher’s salaries, classroom technology, and more.

I can't afford a big gift. How can I make my gift go farther?

Check to see if your employer offers to match gifts. There is a tool on the DV website you can use to look it up: http://www1.matchinggifts.com/dvfs

Consider setting up a monthly recurring gift at dvfriends.org/gift. Splitting your gift into smaller monthly amounts may allow you to make a larger overall gift for the year, since it's not all coming at once.

What Were DVFriends' revenue sources last year?

Net Tuition: $6,907,345....77%

Gifts and Grants: $1,645,702...18%

Endowment: $200,000...2%

Other Programs: $250,128...3%

Who are Bayard Rustin and Lucretia Mott?

Two of our leadership giving societies bear the names of Quakers who were influential in shaping public discourse around issues of human rights. Bayard Rustin was born in West Chester, PA. He was the chief architect of the March on Washington, and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2013 for his life-long work on civil rights. Lucretia Mott was a social reformer, an abolitionist, and a champion of women's rights in the mid-1800s.