Annual Fund Giving is a Critical Component of Lead & Serve Campaign

While the capital gifts to Lead & Serve: The Campaign for University School include endowment and building projects that secure the long-term strategic goals of the School, the Annual Fund provides the fuel for today’s programs. Annual Fund Director Hannah Kish P’40 puts the scale into perspective: "Our $4 million Annual Fund provides the same financial power as the income from an $80 million endowment. We have an immediate impact on the School’s priorities through increased gifts to the Annual Fund.”

The Annual Fund momentum in the campaign is palpable. Total dollars gifted this year are up 8% over last year, reaching $3.06 million to date. This growth is driven by deep donor commitment, with 45% of all gifts—over 700 individual contributions—increasing from the previous year.

Ryan Shreiber ’09, this year’s Annual Fund Chair, notes that these gifts allow the School to act quickly. "The Fund’s top priority is supporting our faculty," Ryan says. "When a donor increases their gift, it has a direct, immediate impact on our teachers." This is especially true for the Tower Society–annual giving starting at $2,500–where leadership-level giving has risen by 5%, signaling strong confidence from the School's top supporters. Perhaps most promising for the future, leadership giving among young alumni has surged by 40%.

Beyond faculty support, donors can direct their Annual Fund giving toward specific interests, including the arts, athletics, financial aid, or outdoor projects. As Hannah puts it, "We want to make sure your gift supports what you care about most."

The Annual Fund is a $32.55 million pillar of the $200 million Lead & Serve campaign. Campaign Chair Marc Byrnes ’72, P’02, ’03, ’05 explains that while the school is working to grow its permanent endowment for the health of the school’s future, the Annual Fund provides immediate impact. "It allows us to make a real difference for our teachers right now," says Marc. To date, the school has raised $24 million during the first six years of the campaign toward the larger Annual Fund goal, reaching 74% of the priority total.

For Ohio residents, there is also a unique opportunity to support financial aid at US at no real cost to the donor. Through the Ohio Association of Independent Schools, donors can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions up to $750 (individuals) or $1,500 (joint filers). Participation in this program has increased by nearly 20% over the last three years. Sharon and David Chege P’27, ’31, ’33, who lead this initiative, report that five students will receive support next year because of the growing number of families using this tax credit to help high-achieving boys attend the school.

Marc concludes that, “For those who may not be in a position to make a gift to endowment or capital projects, increased giving to the Annual Fund can be a wonderful way to participate in Lead & Serve.” This year’s Annual Fund ends June 30.

Learn how you can make your impact through Lead & Serve: The Campaign for University School