We appreciate your interest in supporting Parkmont School. As with most other private independent schools, philanthropy is at the core of the financial success of Parkmont School. Depending on the year, tuition covers only 75% to 85% of the annual cost of providing the education to our students. Parents, alumni, faculty, friends and foundations have provided the additional support that balances our budget each year. They also are the source of longer term investments that allow Parkmont to have a warm home environment for learning, provide financial aid through an aggressive program of support, have state-of-the art computer and learning technology, provide a system of student diagnostic and support services as well as have transportation and other resources that allow us to utilize the "world" as our classroom. This year our goal is to raise $110,000 through the Annual Giving Campaign and other development activities.

Private, independent schools such as Parkmont have always counted on the tradition of philanthropy to balance annual budgets and underwrite special capital projects. While tuitions have increased nationwide, so have expenses, leaving a gap between the amount of tuition and what it costs to educate our students. We count on a commitment and ongoing tradition of giving among current and former parents, alumni and friends to raise additional monies each year to support our school. There is a hope and expectation that current and former parents, as well as alumni, will donate based on their giving capacity and means.

There are two ways your gift counts:

• The direct dollars you give underwrite our programs
• The number/percentage of those giving effects the amount of foundation dollars raised .

We receive gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign from friends, family and alumni that range from $10 to $25,000. Foundations are favorably impressed when a large percentage of the parent body and alumni give and have awarded us grants ranging in size from $1000 to $50,000. So, please keep in mind that each gift -- no matter the size -- does count. The greater the number of givers, the more attractive we are to outside funders. A small gift can attract a large gift. Please do give.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Cari Gradison
Chair of Development Committee, Board of Trustees