Annual Giving FAQs

What is the Annual Fund?

The Annual Fund consists of contributions from the entire Shipley community given during the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) to help the School provide a quality education. All gifts to the Annual Fund are unrestricted in nature so that the contributions can be used where they are most urgently needed. Participating in Shipley’s Annual Fund is one of the most important ways you can show your commitment to the School.

Who contributes to the Annual Fund?

We all do. Alumni, current and past parents, grandparents, faculty and staff members, and other friends of the School are all asked to support our students and affirm their belief in Shipley’s mission by making a gift to the Annual Fund.

Why does Shipley need an Annual Fund when parents already pay tuition?

Small class sizes, outstanding teaching, and extraordinary programs are integral parts of the Shipley experience. Yet, tuition alone is not enough to sustain the quality of a Shipley education. Like other independent schools, Shipley relies on Annual Fund contributions, endowment income, and fundraising events—in addition to tuition income—to meet operating costs.

Why not increase the tuition if it doesn’t cover all the costs of a Shipley education?

As part of its commitment to making a superior educational experience available to qualified students regardless of financial circumstances, the Board of Trustees tries to minimize tuition increases. Raising tuition to meet all costs would mean that many families would be unable to send their children to Shipley.

If our family receives financial aid, will we be asked to make an Annual Fund contribution?

Yes. Both large gifts and modest gifts demonstrate support for the School, so the entire Shipley family is asked to participate in the Annual Fund. While providing needed revenue, Annual Fund contributions also demonstrate community support for the work of Shipley’s exceptional faculty and staff.