<p>D attends a Massachusetts BS as freshman. We are middle-class, D is a signle child, the full tuition and fees we are paying ($50k) is manageable although somewhat stretching.</p>
<p>Recently we got many insistent calls asking to donation to certain Funds of the BS. I donate to causes that I really believe needs the fund, but with the hefty some each year to BS, I am not inclined to donate to the BS. However, I am concerned if I don't.</p>
<p>Do they (BS) track which parents donated and how much and which don't? Would D's future be negatively impacted if I don't donate? (For example, limited opportunity for activities that she wants to do but need permission or faculty sponsor, or recommendations for college admission.)</p>
<p>There are no repercussions from not donating. Note, however, that all schools that request donations care about both dollars raised as well as percentage participation. So, even if you can’t give big bucks, give some ($100 - $200) so at least they can count you in as a donor and raise their participation rate – that is important to them!</p>
<p>I would expect there to be no negative consequences for your child, were you not to donate to the Annual Fund.</p>
<p>On the other hand, many schools count on the Annual Fund as part of their budget. If they don’t meet their Annual Fund goals, they will either need to draw more from their endowments (if possible), or cut current programs. Thus, a decision not to donate to the Annual Fund could translate into fewer opportunities for currently enrolled students.</p>
<p>Many of the leading boarding schools spend more per student than tuition. (You can look up schools’ Form 990s online at Guidestar.) This means that even families who pay full tuition are depending upon the generosity of others–the previous generations who built the endowment, and the current alumni and parents who support the schools’ Annual Funds.</p>
<p>I agree with all the answers above. PLEASE consider sending in a check for $20—you will make the development office and the volunteer callers happy, plus the calls will stop.</p>
<p>I make some of those calls (though I hate doing it because some people are happy to chat and others feel imposed upon). But the bond rating of the school depends in part in percentage participation, not just total raised, so even a small donation is important. In fact, we are encouraged to get people to contribute their child’s school year, e.g., $20.12. </p>
<p>Also, for some schools you can make the donation in honor of someone on the faculty or staff. They don’t find out how much you donated, but they get a card saying that a donation was made in their honor. So that’s kinda nice.</p>
<p>I do think it’s odd that you get repeated calls. We generally do one call a year.</p>
<p>I, too, agree with what is written above. To answer the IP’s first question; yes, they do keep track of who donated and how much, but I don’t think it directly impacts the children whose families do not give.</p>
<p>I am on the board of a private school, and the headmaster knows which families have given and which have not. In our school, it absolutely does not affect grades, recommendations, and so on if your family decides not to give. There is definitely an expectation that families will participate in annual giving. Many first year families don’t understand that right away, as they feel (rightly) that the tuition that they pay is already quite a lot. As mentioned above, though, even as high as tuition is, it doesn’t typically cover the true cost of educating your child. Some first year families also feel self-conscious donating $20 when they are comparing it to the amount of tuition they are paying, but I can say with 100% certainty that a $20 donation is appreciated, because it helps with participation rates.</p>
<p>So, I would handle your situation by making a modest pledge.</p>
<p>There will be no repercussions on your daughter, even if you didn’t. Trust me, the school appreciates the fact that you are paying the full tuition.</p>
<p>However – I was at a session that I thought showed sensitivity because there were full-FA parents in the room. The Headmaster made the point that they were happy with whatever level of aid the parents could give - even if it was $1. I could see the face of the parent sitting beside me light up. That year participation rose.</p>
<p>All schools hope for 100% participation - to show outside alumni funders, and for bragging rights in the unspoken competition between BS’s on who has the most parent support.</p>
<p>Give what you can - even if it is a small amount - since tuition is often only 2/3’ds of the real cost of educating each student every extra amount helps and donations by credit card also count for parents who need to spread out the cost.</p>