Annual Giving Campaign

ACDS students benefit from having talented and dedicated teachers, small classes, curricular resources and outstanding enrichment and elective offerings. While the tuition that you pay gives your child access to an exceptional education, it does not cover the complete cost of his or her ACDS experience. This year, tuition revenue covers approximately 90% of the school’s total operating budget. To bridge the shortfall between the actual cost of an ACDS education and tuition, ACDS – like other independent schools – turn to parents, alumnae families and other friends of the school to bridge the gap of $1,460 per student.

ACDS is committed to attracting a diverse community of capable students from a variety of backgrounds. This necessitates containing tuition costs and making tuition assistance awards to those who have demonstrated financial need. Furthermore, if the tuition increased to cover the actual cost of all programs, many of our current families could no longer afford to send their children to ACDS. This could mean a drop in our enrollment, resulting in a cutback of our programs and steeper tuition increases in order to fund all operations.

By offering an opportunity for tax-deductible donations, the Annual Giving Campaign helps ACDS keep tuition lower for all families and promotes greater socioeconomic diversity in our community. Keep in mind: while a gift to the Annual Giving Campaign is tax-deductible, tuition is not.

Your Annual Giving dollars are put to use in the classroom immediately and throughout the academic year. These dollars allow ACDS to provide outstanding educational enrichment programs and employ quality teachers and staff who create the nurturing educational experience our children love. Specifically, contributions allow ACDS to provide:

• Small class sizes and greater teacher contact
• Materials for hands-on curriculum for every age level
• Classroom technology updates and integration
• Innovative academic and enrichment programs including Drama, Art, Music, Robotics, Science, Foreign Language and Physical Education
• Field trips
• Teacher professional development classes and conference attendance
• Support for day-to-day operating expenses and improved compensation for our teachers.

This year, to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of one years ACDS education, we need to raise $600,000.

First and foremost, we should state that any and all gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign are welcome and appreciated! We understand that some families are unable to donate at the suggested $1,460 per student level, while others can contribute significantly more. If you are able, we ask you to consider becoming a Leadership Donor with a gift of $2,500 or more. We believe that if everyone gives a gift that is meaningful for their particular financial situation, ACDS will reach its goal. Please remember that all gifts are tax-deductible and every gift counts!

The AGC goal divided by the number of enrolled students = the suggested gift of $1,460 per student.

YES! For the fifteenth year in a row, 100% of ACDS’s faculty and Board of Trustees have pledged a donation to this year's campaign! We are grateful for the support as it signals their belief and partnership in our efforts to support every student, every teacher, every day.

The generosity our school experiences is a result of leaders like you who understand that their giving has a direct impact for their children's education. Several levels of leadership are available, with each level adding essential value to our school's pursuit of excellence. Each year, Leadership Donors distinguish themselves by making annual gifts of $2,500 or more to Almaden Country Day School’s Annual Giving Campaign. As a Leadership Donor, the impact of your extraordinary philanthropy is evident in ACDS’s commitment to increase faculty compensation and explore new technologies and teaching materials. You will also enjoy an annual gathering with the Head of School and trustees as well as the knowledge that you are at the forefront of ACDS’s most important fundraising project.

ACDS recognizes gifts of $2,500 or more as “Leadership Donations.” Our giving levels are as follows:

• $2,500-$4,999 - Imagine
• $5,000 - $7,499 - Envision
• $7,500 - $9,999 - Aspire
• $10,000 or more - Legacy

Leadership donations are calculated based on a combination of personal donations and matching gifts. Gifts made in support of the “Raise the Paddle” project at our Benefit Dinner and Auction are included.

While proceeds of items purchased at the Auction for ACDS benefit the school, they are only tax deductible to the extent they exceed the value of the item and do not count towards becoming a Leadership Donor.

Your gift can be doubled or tripled if you or your significant other works for a company with a matching gift program. It’s easy to find out if your company matches. Click here to see if your company, or its parent company has a program. New companies are added each year. It’s worth a look.

When applying for a match, companies often ask for the recipient organization’s Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN). ACDS’s EIN is 77-0451623. You will find us under the name "Almaden Country Day School"

Many individuals donate appreciated stock or mutual funds to Almaden Country Day School. Such gifts, or other gifts involving securities, can have significant tax advantages. For further instructions, please click here.

Many corporations will match an employee’s gift to a school. Click here to see if your company offers a matching gift program. When applying for a match, companies often ask for the recipient organization’s Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN). ACDS’s EIN is 77-0451623. You will find us under the name "Almaden Country Day School."

Please note, if you submit a gift of stocks kindly inform Director of Annual Giving & Special Events, Kimberly Ahlgren, (408) 997-0424 immediately. For security purposes, institutions will often submit these gifts anonymously and the school is not able to provide you with a tax receipt. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign support our teachers and educational and enrichment program expenses that are fundamentals of an ACDS education. If you’d like to make a gift for another purpose, please contact Director of Annual Giving & Special Events, Kimberly Ahlgren, (408) 997-0424.

Absolutely! We are happy to take your campaign pledge online now and your payment later. All campaign pledge payments are due by May 30, 2025.

Yes. We would be happy to set up an electronic funds transfer (EFT) or you can establish an ongoing credit card payment online for you to make paying your pledge easy. If you’d prefer a different arrangement, please contact Director of Annual Giving & Special Events, Kimberly Ahlgren, (408) 997-0424.