Annual Fund

Your Annual Fund gift supports everyday excellence for our students.

The Annual Fund is a critical part of DV's annual operating budget, and is used for everyday or emerging needs. Here are just a few examples:

It funds our no-cut athletics teams, in which everyone can participate, regardless of whether they've ever played a sport before
It funds our ABLE program, which uses adventure and challenge to develop wellsprings of confidence that students can draw on throughout life
It funds professional development for our teachers, enabling them to meet every student where they are with the right supports

These and many other initiatives create a strong support network for our students. The Annual Fund is mission-critical fundraising that supports all aspects of the DV experience, 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.

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?

We value and can use gifts of all sizes, so please make a gift that works for you. Last year, Annual Fund gifts ranged from $20 to $25,000.

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; in most years, that difference is around $8,000. Gifts help cover these additional costs for all families, even those paying full tuition.

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 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, using this tool: https://www.dvfriends.org/apps/pages/matchinggifts

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. Bonus - you don't have to think about it again!

What were DVFriends' revenue sources last year?

Net Tuition: $7,349,652....74%

Gifts and Grants: $1,807,724...18%

Endowment: $470,000...5%

Other Programs: $355,170...3%

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