The strength of community through gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
GA parents play an important role within our community, and it is through this partnership that our school—and students—thrive. Review the many ways you can be an engaged GA parent.
As parents of two GA girls, we’ve been thrilled by the experience that our daughters have had at GA. The teachers and administrative staff have consistently provided a nurturing and supportive environment for our girls. However, GA’s mission isn’t static, and it’s important to ensure that GA is at the forefront of innovation and important initiatives that support our girls beyond the traditional classroom. We view contributions to the Annual Fund as investments in our daughters to help them grow and thrive. It’s an investment we’re happy to make.
MIRIAM AND TOM KREUZER
Giving to the Annual Fund is our way of championing Greenwich Academy from the sidelines. Sharing in a goal of raising confident girls — prepared for a world after GA — means we demonstrate our gratitude for the school paving the way!
HILLARY AND PARKER CORBIN
Philanthropy, through gifts of time, talent, and treasure, connects people to Greenwich Academy in a deeper way and makes the community stronger.
Parent Partnership at GA
Giving Defined
Charitable Donations
At Greenwich Academy, charitable donations fall into three categories: gifts that cover operating expenses, gifts that fund capital improvements, and gifts that support endowment. Below are the ways you can support GA, our students, and our mission through philanthropic giving.
- The Annual Fund
- The Senior Fund
- Matching Gifts
- Endowed Gifts
- Capital Gifts
- Planned Giving
- Greenwich Academy Parents Association
The Annual Fund
Inspiring a lifelong passion for learning the Annual Fund is integral to the Greenwich Academy experience; it is the common thread in every one of our leading-edge programmatic offerings. Greenwich Academy is fortunate to have a dedicated community of parents, alumnae, parents of alumnae, grandparents, and friends who, through their united support each year, further GA’s initiatives.
The Annual Fund operates on a fiscal year beginning on July 1 and closing on June 30.
The GA Annual Fund FAQs
- Why is participation so important?
- Who is asked for gifts?
- Why does GA ask for a gift to the GA Annual Fund when I'm already paying tuition?
- Will my gift be eligible for tax deduction?
Why is participation so important?
All gifts of every size matter. Your participation sends a strong message about your confidence in our school and the education your children are receiving. Our goal each year is 100% participation for trustees and parents as your commitment speaks volumes to prospective families, foundations, and corporations who gauge their interest in supporting our school on the overall participation rates. In addition, GA alumnae achieve record-breaking participation numbers each year that exceed the national average for independent schools.
Who is asked for gifts?
Why does GA ask for a gift to the GA Annual Fund when I'm already paying tuition?
Tuition alone does not cover the actual cost to educate each student. We rely on the generosity of our parents, alumnae, faculty, staff , trustees, and the entire GA community to help us provide an innovative education. Through our community’s generosity, GA is able to moderate tuition increases and keep the GA experience attainable.
Will my gift be eligible for tax deduction?
Leadership Giving at Greenwich Academy
Donors who make an Annual Fund donation of $3,000 or more distinguish themselves as leaders within the GA community and are recognized as Leadership Donors. GA’s Leadership Donors are essential partners with GA’s dedicated faculty, staff , and administration and share the passion and vision for providing a 21st century education for our students.
GA Annual Giving Leadership Levels
Darius Mead Circle ..................................................................$75,000 or greater
Elizabeth Milbank Anderson Society ...............................$50,000 to $74,999
Academy Benefactor ...............................................................$25,000 to $49,999
Head of School Society ...........................................................$15,000 to $24,999
Oak Tree Guild ............................................................................$10,000 to $14,999
Charter Circle ..............................................................................$6,000 to $9,999
1827 Founder’s Council ..........................................................$3,000 to $5,999
The Senior Fund
Originating with the Class of 1990, the Senior Fund has become a GA tradition. Parents of seniors contribute an increased gift to this fund, which is established in the name of each class in its senior year. The Senior Fund takes the place of the Annual Fund for parents of seniors and counts toward class participation for all grades in which senior families have daughters.
Matching Gifts
Matching gifts are a simple way to increase your support for GA. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. The impact of your gift to GA may be doubled or possibly tripled! Your matching gift will be counted towards your total contribution to the Annual Fund.
Endowed Gifts
Capital Gifts
Planned Giving
Many alumnae, parents, and faculty have expanded their support of GA through planned gifts—bequests, life insurance policies, real estate, and charitable trusts. In doing so, they are providing for future generations of GA girls and young women, while also realizing certain benefits in their financial and estate planning. The Ruth West Campbell Society was established in 1990 to recognize those individuals who have contributed to Greenwich Academy through a planned gift or have made a charitable provision for GA in their estate plans. In doing so, the donor receives an estate tax charitable deduction for that provision.
Greenwich Academy Parents Association
Greenwich Academy Parents Association (GAPA) sponsors community building and fundraising events. Parents and businesses contribute to these events through charitable donations and tickets. These gifts typically go toward a specific project as defined by GAPA but do not count for participation in the Annual Fund.
Volunteering Defined
Gifts of time and talent
Greenwich Academy Parents Association (GAPA)
The Greenwich Academy Parents Association—known as GAPA—is an organization of parent volunteers dedicated to helping the administration, faculty, and students in promoting the purposes of Greenwich Academy and enhancing school activities and facilities through service and fundraising. All GA parents and guardians are members of GAPA.
The GAPA Board, along with committee volunteers, supports the GA community through a variety of services, programs, and events.
Annual Giving Committees
Join a group of parents committed to outreach on behalf of the GA Annual and Senior Funds. Through calls, emails, and texts you will rally fellow parents to support this yearly effort that impacts the day-to-day experience of our students. Each year we kick-off the funds with a phonathon and aim to be wrapped up with parent outreach by April. A fun and meaningful way to meet other GA families. Email Carolyn Russell, director of the Annual Fund, at crussell@greenwichacademy.org, to learn more and join the team.
The Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center has been described by many young alumnae as “like your college career office…but way better.”
HOW THE CRC WORKS AND WHO IT HELPS - Working with alumnae across all ages and stages, from our most recent grads to established professionals, to an increasing number of alumnae looking to re-enter the workforce after time away, the CRC facilitates networking connections and offers support in career research and job/internship searches.
Current GA Juniors and Seniors benefit from the CRC as well. In addition to facilitating summer internships and jobs, events such as Senior Career Day, summer Career Exploration Week, and workshops on resume writing and interview skills all encourage our oldest students to think about how their academic passions may translate to professional pursuits.
Mentors
Current and past parents, as well as alumnae, are critical to the success of the CRC. By serving as mentors, they connect with students and alumnae, and offer their expertise to someone new to or interested in their field. Mentors also share jobs and internship openings at their companies which then get posted on our job board and sent out to the appropriate grouping of GA alums. Parents and alums keep the CRC running strong! Interested in becoming a mentor? Register with GA Alumnae Connect and submit a mentor inquiry.
Interactive Sessions
The CRC brings experts in their fields in front of students and alumnae through panel discussions, networking forums, Gator Incubator competitions, and impactTALKS. These presentations offer an outstanding opportunity to share career experiences and advice, with interactive Q&A Sessions. Past topics have included media, entrepreneurship, technology, finance, medicine, and more. Visit the CRC Media Library for past recordings and discover the Career Resource Center at greenwichacademy.org/CRC.
Philanthropy at a Glance
How it Adds Up
Total Annual Fund
Other than tuition, the GA Annual Fund is our only source of immediately available, flexible funds. Therefore, a robust Annual Fund is crucial to the financial health of the school. The majority of our resources support our faculty, staff, and students. Programs, curriculum, technology, and facilities will change over time, but people remain our greatest investment.
Covering the Cost
GA could not operate without the assistance of current parents, alumnae, parents of alumnae, grandparents, faculty, and friends. Tuition revenue represents 77% of the school’s annual funding. The remaining 23% must come from other philanthropic sources. The GA endowment plays a significant role. In the 2023-2024 year, the endowment supplied $3.94 million towards the 2023-2024 operating budget. The GA Annual Fund makes up the remaining 7-9% of our operating budget.