Giving Opportunities

Gifts from parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, faculty, staff, and other friends play an essential role in San Francisco Day School's continued growth. The Day School has enjoyed remarkable success in raising funds to support the expansion of its programs and facilities. The Day School counts on all families to continue this tradition of philanthropy by making the School a top priority in their annual giving.

In this section:

Annual Fund
Capital Fundraising
Endowment Funds & Restricted Gifts
Day School Summerbridge
SCRIP, eScrip, and SchoolPop
Ways to Give

Annual Fund

The 2006-2007 Annual Fund achieved an amazing 96% participation by parents, faculty, staff, and board members! Such broad participation is a tangible expression of the common purpose that we share in the Day School's mission. Tuition does not cover the full cost of a child's education at SFDS. Therefore, we depend on the success of the Annual Fund to raise a significant portion of the funds needed to run the School. All parents, faculty, trustees, alumni, friends, and many grandparents receive a letter in the fall asking for a tax-deductible contribution. In addition to providing essential revenue, a broadly supported Annual Fund demonstrates to corporations and foundations that SFDS is an organization worthy of support.

Capital Fundraising

In addition to the Annual Fund, SFDS has raised more than $17 million in its twenty-one year history through capital campaigns. Led by parents, capital campaigns have been initiated to raise money for new facilities, capital improvements, and other specific needs and programs. Five years after the close of the Next Steps campaign, a third capital campaign was initiated for the School. The Cornerstone Campaign, which we launched to the Day School community this past spring, has three main goals:

1. To continue to support our commitment to recruit and retain outstanding faculty
2. To increase endowment for tuition assistance
3. To augment our building and facilities funds

We are thrilled to announce that we have raised over $7 million toward our goals. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting undertaking!

Endowment Funds

Endowment funds are held and managed in perpetuity to provide income for specific purposes. Gifts to endowment help preserve the financial and academic health of San Francisco Day School. Investments in SFDS's endowment ensure the overall fiscal security of the School while providing for faculty salaries, tuition assistance, and faculty and curriculum development.

Read more about our endowment funds

Restricted Gifts

Restricted funds represent special interests that occur on an annual basis. Giving a restricted gift enables a donor to designate a program, such as Outdoor Education or music, to benefit exclusively from their gift.

Read about our restricted funds

Summerbridge

As part of its sponsorship of the Summerbridge program, SFDS is responsible for raising a significant portion of the Summerbridge operating expenses each year. In 2001, a successful endowment campaign resulted in the coverage of a significant portion of the expenses, but annual funds are still required from foundations, corporations, and other outside sources.

SCRIP, eScrip, and SchoolPop SFDS participates in three outside fundraising activities. With SCRIP, the School purchases certificates from local businesses at a 5 to 10% discount and sells them at full value. With eScrip and SchoolPop, the School enrolls parents in the program. Then, any purchases made through affiliated merchants benefit the School directly (ranging up to 10% of the purchases.) Participating merchants include Safeway, Cal Mart, Amazon.com, Sharper Image and many others. Your everyday purchases can benefit the Day School when you sign up and shop with registered merchants.

Ways of Giving to SFDS

Every gift to San Francisco Day School is vital to the academic and financial health of the School. SFDS is grateful for and in need of gifts of all sizes and offers a variety of ways to make a gift to suit individual donors. The Development Office welcomes inquiries about ways to structure your gift and invites you to consider the giving options listed below.

Online We now accept donations online through Network for Good using any major credit card. Learn More Cash Gifts of cash, payable by check, are tax-deductible and provide the School with funds immediately available for use. Please mail your checks to: Development Office San Francisco Day School 350 Masonic Avenue San Francisco, CA 94118 Download a pledge card

Appreciated Securities & Stocks Gifts of appreciated securities and stocks allow the donor to receive a tax deduction for the stock's current market value and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation. For instructions on how your broker can transfer your stock to SFDS, please contact the Development Office or download our Letter of Authorization form.   Matching Gifts Many companies will match your gift to SFDS, greatly increasing your donation to the School. Learn whether your employer has a matching gifts program by contacting your human resources department. Planned Giving For details on remembering SFDS in your estate plans, please contact the Development Office.