Ways To Give
There are many ways to show your support for Canterbury School. Whether you are a first-time supporter or a long-time benefactor, we appreciate your generosity and guarantee that your gift will be used to positively impact the educational experience of our students.
There are five ways to donate to Canterbury School:
Annual Giving
The Fund for Canterbury (the school’s annual fund) provides the essential dollars needed for program enhancements not covered by tuition. Fundamentally, The Fund for Canterbury helps make up the difference between tuition revenues and the actual cost of an independent school education at Canterbury. Every member of the Canterbury community is invited to participate. We average about 92 percent parent participation (higher than the national independent school average of less than 80 percent). High parent participation reflects a strong parent-school partnership and affirms our shared sense of community. We have had 100 percent participation of faculty and staff and the board of trustees for many years.
Consider joining a leadership gift club:
- Founders’ Circle: gifts of $10,000+
- The Canterbury Cross: gifts of $5,000+
- Cornerstone Donors: gifts of $2,500+
- Keystone Donors: gifts of $1,000+
- Cougar’s Den: acknowledges all gifts from alumni
You can make your Annual Fund gift to Canterbury School with a check payable to Canterbury School; with a one-time or monthly credit card payment; and with gifts of stocks or securities. Pledge payments for the current year’s campaign are due by June 30.
Contact Mary Dator, Annual Fund and Alumni Relations Coordinator, (336) 288-2007 with any questions.
Capital Giving
Capital campaigns are approved by Canterbury’s Board of Trustees to advance the school’s comprehensive strategic and campus master plans. These plans support our mission and ensure the future of Canterbury School as the best PreK-8 educational choice in the region.
Canterbury can boast five very successful capital campaigns since 1993.
- The Campaign for Canterbury, the school’s first campaign, funded start-up costs, land acquisition, modular facilities, learning resources, and the first two permanent buildings: Ketner Center (gymnasium) and Armfield Hall (middle school).
- Canterbury’s second campaign, Building On a Sure Foundation, made possible the construction of Phillips Chapel, the Kelly Bell Tower, Fry Hall (lower school classroom building), land acquisition, and increased endowment.
- In the fall of 2005, Canterbury dedicated Berry Hall (student center), which is the product of a funding effort outside of a traditional campaign.
- Canterbury concluded its third campaign, Ensuring Educational Excellence, in 2008. This campaign supported increased endowment and the construction of the Stafford Arts Center.
- Focus Forward, Canterbury’s fourth campaign, concluded in 2015, and funded Haley Athletic Center; the renovation of Ketner Center into a science, technology, engineering and math building; endowment growth; and future tennis courts.
- Complete the Campus, ongoing, is a $4.25 million campaign to fund the P. David Brown library and administrative building. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2020. Gifts to fund the endowment for the building are welcome; contact Mary Dator for more information.
Planned Giving
Canterbury’s endowment is the equivalent of a long-term savings or retirement account. A healthy endowment financially fortifies a school. With a reliable stream of endowment income, administrators can maintain accessible tuition and therefore budget confidently for worthy projects. Income from endowment supports financial assistance for Canterbury students, provides teachers and staff with professional development opportunities, maintains the school’s physical plant, and enriches our expanding programs.
Should you consider a planned gift? The answer is simple: yes. You can make a meaningful gift to the school while generating income for yourself and your loved ones. There are often applicable state and income tax deductions, as well as opportunities to avoid capital gains. Planned giving is a prudent way to diversify your investments.
Canterbury recognizes those donors who have included Canterbury School in their estate plans with membership in the All Saints’ Circle for planned giving. These individuals have made bequests under wills or trusts, established life income arrangements, or given life insurance or retirement accounts to Canterbury School. Membership emphasizes the importance of planned gifts to the school and expresses our appreciation to those individuals who have made provisions in their estate plans to further help Canterbury’s mission.
We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor about planned giving options. In addition, a representative from Canterbury School is available to discuss these gifting options with you or your financial advisor.
Special Events
Each year, Canterbury sponsors at least one special event to raise operating revenue in addition to The Fund for Canterbury. The Canterbury Parents Association helps coordinate these events with capable volunteers. There are many opportunities to get involved. Special events include an auction every other year and a student-centered Spring Fling in non-auction years.
Gifts-In-Kind and Volunteer Services
Gifts-in-kind, volunteer services, and gifts of professional services may be donated to Canterbury School and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. All gifts-in-kind are subject to acceptance review by the Head of School or Director of Advancement. For more information or to make a contribution, please contact:
Mary Dator
(336) 288-2007