Annual Fund
The school's most important fundraiser of the year!
The Annual Fund supports the day-to-day operations of the school, and each gift has a direct impact on each person at Berkwood Hedge School. Like other independent schools, tuition covers most but not all of our operating expenses, and philanthropic giving is how we close the gap. Our school relies on the generosity of current families, trustees, alumni, employees, grandparents, and friends of the school in contributing to our Annual Fund each year.
Funds raised as part of the Annual Fund are what allow the school to keep tuition as low as possible and offer generous tuition assistance. Because contributions to the Annual Fund go directly towards the school's operating budget, it is also what allows the school to attract and retain our exceptional teachers, fund specialist programs, and cover the cost of buildings and facilities maintenance. All gifts are tax deductible, and every year we strive for 100% participation from current families, trustees, faculty and staff.
Annual Fund At-A-Glance
Like other independent schools, we rely on two sources of revenue: tuition and fundraising donations. All donations are tax deductible. Donations to the Annual Fund directly support our operating budget, which includes:
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Salaries and professional development for our amazing faculty and specialist teachers
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Enhancements to our program like a rich specialist curriculum, field trips to Bay Area learning hubs, and Forest Days
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A tuition assistance program that makes a Berkwood Hedge education accessible to as many students as possible
Annual Fund FAQs
What is your tax identification number?
Berkwood Hedge School's tax identification number is 94-1408159
What is the Annual Fund?
The Berkwood Hedge School Annual Fund is our top fundraising priority. Gifts to the Annual Fund provide the critical, current-use, unrestricted dollars our school needs as part of our operating budget. Each gift to our Annual Fund directly impacts each person at Berkwood Hedge School. For more details on the Annual Fund and how it works, please feel free to contact Kris, Director of Advancement at [email protected].
Why does Berkwood Hedge School have an Annual Fund?
Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a Berkwood Hedge School education. Gifts to the Annual Fund an important source of unrestricted operating funds that the school uses to support associate, specialist, and lead teacher salaries, classroom materials, professional development, and tuition assistance.
Why doesn’t the school just raise tuition to cover the difference?
While we do adjust our tuition each year, keeping tuition at a relatively low level allows us to make a Berkwood Hedge School education accessible to more families. Currently, our tuition is one of the lowest in the East Bay. Raising tuition to cover the full cost of educating a student would make attending Berkwood Hedge School unobtainable for many families and would be in contrast to our mission and vision.
How will the money raised through the Annual Fund be put to use?
Gifts to the Annual Fund support the day-to-day operations of the school, including everything from faculty and specialist salaries and professional development, to classroom supplies and facilities maintenance.
Why is 100% participation so important?
Each year, Berkwood Hedge School strives for 100% participation from the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and the current families. Participation symbolizes a collective investment in our learning community. Strong community participation indicates a high level of commitment that may influence outside donors and support funding through grants and major gifts for special projects. Berkwood Hedge School also solicits gifts from alumni, alumni families, grandparents, and friends of the school to offer all members of our learning community the opportunity to support our school. Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund offer our school the greatest flexibility and are our number one priority.
How do I know how much to give?
We ask that while your child is a student at Berkwood Hedge School, you make the school a philanthropic priority. Gifts to the Annual Fund range from $10 to $30,000. Each and every gift impacts our programs and shapes your child’s experience--a $10 contribution can pay for a roundtrip BART ticket for a field trip! We recognize that some families will give more and some less, and we appreciate the generosity of everyone who chooses to give. All contributions are kept confidential.
I can’t give very much. Will my donation really make a difference?
Absolutely! Every contribution, no matter how small, counts toward our 100% participation goal.
Do you accept employer matching funds?
Yes. Please check with your employer to see if it matches charitable donations. If so, this is an easy way to double your contribution! Your employer will give you instructions on how to take advantage of this benefit.
Can I donate appreciated assets to the Annual Fund?
Yes. If you have stocks that have appreciated in value since you originally purchased them, there can be additional tax savings if you donate these directly to the school. Please contact Director of Advancement, Kris Jachens at [email protected] for further information.
Is it important that I give before December 31, 2024
Yes. This deadline is very important so we can begin our budgeting process for the coming year. We want to continue to manage our financial resources well, and knowing the amount raised enables us to appropriately budget resources.
If you have any additional questions about the Annual Fund and how it works, please feel free to talk to Kris Jachens or contact her at [email protected].
Berkwood Hedge School is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Any donations contributed are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our tax identification number is: 94-1408159. The school will provide a receipt shortly after gifts are made.
