FAQs

The Annual Fund is a volunteer-driven campaign to which alumni, parents, and friends make unrestricted gifts that flow directly into the school’s operating budget each year. Last year, contributions to the Annual Fund exceeded $4.45 million dollars, representing 9% of the school’s total operating budget. The Annual Fund runs from July 1 through June 30 each year.

Tuition, though substantial, only provides 70 percent of the actual cost of educating each student. The school relies on the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends to make up the difference each year through gifts to the Annual Fund and the draw on the endowment. The unrestricted dollars contributed to the Annual Fund allow the school to address its most pressing needs.

The Parent Annual Fund is a subset of the overall Annual Fund. Through the Parent Annual Fund, current families provide one quarter of the unrestricted dollars raised each year. These gifts are used in the operating budget and have a direct impact on today’s student and faculty.

Yes! Every tax-deductible gift makes a difference to the school. Participation in the Annual Fund sends a powerful message that you believe in Loomis Chaffee, its educational program and the school's teachers, coaches and mentors.

Donors may specify which part of the Annual Fund they would like their gift to support: financial aid, faculty resources, campus facilities, arts, athletics, or the area of greatest need.

A recurring gift is a gift paid over time. Through the school’s online giving page, donors simply select an amount to be charged to their credit card monthly or yearly. By paying a smaller increment over time, donors can maximize their annual contribution.

Many employers provide a matching gift benefit for their employees, which means that the company will match an employee’s charitable contributions—possibly doubling the impact of one’s gift! In order to take advantage of this benefit, donors should contact their company’s human resources department.

The Annual Fund operates on a July 1 – June 30 fiscal year. Gifts received before midnight on June 30 will count in this year’s effort. However, a donor may give to the Annual Fund at any time. Giving early in the Annual Fund year helps to build momentum, and enables the school to save money on mailing costs.

Yes, your gift to the Parent Annual Fund will not affect your financial aid package. We encourage all families to support the Parent Annual Fund, because high participation by current parents is a point of pride for Loomis. Your gift is a statement of your belief in Loomis Chaffee, its educational program and the teachers, coaches, and mentors who are integral to it.

As a graduate of the school, your dollars always count toward your class and the alumni dollar total. However knowing your special relationship with the school, we count your participation in both your alumni class and your parent class.

If you have additional questions not addressed here or you would like information about volunteering for the Annual Fund, please contact Mary McGoldrick at Mary_McGoldrick@loomis.org or 860.687.6276.