Our Independent School Annual Fund

Like most private schools in the United States, LFSF runs an Annual Fund campaign. Gifts to the Annual Fund offset a portion of the operating budget and help bridge the difference between tuition and revenue and the full cost of educating each student. Annual Fund gifts are unrestricted, meaning that the school will use the money wherever the need is greatest.  We provide you the ability to indicate a preference for where you would like your donation to be applied within operations. These designations do not affect predetermined budget allocations but help us identity donor interests. Please make your Annual Fund donation your top charitable contribution.

Matching gifts are a type of corporate philanthropy where companies match donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits. They are important because they are essentially free money. In 2021-22 LFSF received $83K in matching gifts. 

Determine your match eligibility to see if your employer will match your donation. If your company offers a matching gift program, you can submit a match request to your employer. This amount will count towards your total donations.

Tuition funds are allocated for immediate expenses such as maintenance, salaries, and other general expenses; thus, those funds don’t allow us to advance future growth. Furthermore, while tuition is non-tax deductible, Annual Fund donations are.

Fundraising is essential for supporting programming and infrastructure. Annual Fund campaigns are geared toward current projects and expenses.

The Annual Fund also helps secure support from external funding sources. Successful Annual Fund campaigns show our external funding sources that the school’s constituents are eager to support and can reliably raise a sum that matches their offer.

Annual Fund Contributions support budgeted programs that directly benefit students. The following programs are included:

• "Wherever the school needs it the most" supports the operating budget and allows the school flexibility.

• "Financial Aid" supports socio-economic diversity, essential to the equilibrium of the children in their day to day school environment. 

• "Day and overnight field trips" after last year’s halt, our students are eager to explore the world, near and far. 

• “Authors & Artists in Residence and Guest Speakers." By inviting them into the classroom, you offer a unique and tangible opportunity for the children to engage with the best in their field.

• “Technology" covers the tools indispensable to an outstanding education. 

Parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, alumni parents, alumni and LFSF friends, donating at many different levels, receive full credit for the Annual Fund’s success.