Annual Appeal

With Your Support Hilltop Makes An Exceptional Educational Experience Even Better!

 

Dear Hilltop Community,

I am very pleased to be entering into my second year here in this remarkable school! The students continually impress me with their work, commitment, and joy of learning. Last evening, I was treated to the Middle School’s Curriculum Vitaes and Love/Hate recitations. Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity to sit with an older in the Children’s House where they explained to me their symbolizing sentences work. This morning, I walked into the kitchen where I was greeted with the delicious smells of pumpkin muffins being made by Elementary students. As you may have surmised, a tremendous amount happens each and every day!

All of this could not occur without thorough planning. Faculty work tirelessly to design the curriculum that students are engaged in. The administrative staff carefully orchestrates the smooth running of the school. The Board of Trustees keeps looking towards the future of the school and developing policies that will ensure the long-term health of the institution. Parents provide an incredible amount of support in many, many ways.

Hilltop could not provide this caliber of educational program without the appropriate funding. The revenue side of the school’s budget is comprised of several income streams, with tuition being the primary source at 87%. Fundraising is the second largest source of income at 7%. The Annual Fund is a major component of the Fundraising line item. As you will read in the Frequently Asked Questions section, the Annual Fund plays an important role in the operating budget of the school and hence, providing resources to put this superb educational program into action.

I hope you will join me in making a contribution during Annual Fund Week, October 24-28!

With good cheer

Toby Welch, Head of School

 

HILLTOP MONTESSORI SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND 2011-2012
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Annual Fund?

The Annual Fund is a key source of financial support which is absolutely essential for the health of our programs and operations.  In fact, we count on this money every year to close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a Hilltop education.

Who gives to the Annual Fund?

Parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni, alumni families, and Board members – in short, all members of the Hilltop community who believe in our mission.

Where do the dollars go?

Your gift benefits every student and every classroom.

The Annual Fund supports:

• the financial aid program
• faculty development and salaries for our exceptional teachers
• music and art enrichment programs
• the carefully prepared environment of each classroom
• fieldtrips and community learning opportunities
• our beautiful 43 acre campus
• and our dedicated and talented staff

The Annual Fund dollars are an inherent component of the school’s operating budget.

If Hilltop needs more money, why don’t we just raise the tuition?

If tuition were increased to cover the actual cost of our programs, many families could not afford to send their children to Hilltop. By supporting a portion of our operating budget through voluntary contributions, each family can give according to its financial ability. These gifts are tax deductable while tuition is not.

Why is 100% participation so important?

100% participation by all our families demonstrates the dedication and vitality of the school community, and inspires larger donors and foundations to invest in Hilltop.

How much should I give?

Over the past five years, Annual Fund gifts from current parents ranged from $5 to $1500, with the average gift at around $285. We respectfully ask every Hilltop family to participate in the Annual Fund Campaign each year at a level that is personally significant.

I volunteer many hours at the school. Does that ‘count,’ or should I also make a donation to the AF?

Yes, and yes!  One of the best features of Hilltop Montessori is our dedicated parent community. We deeply appreciate, and rely upon, your volunteer hours. At the same time, we  count on all our families to support Hilltop by participating in the Annual Fund.

If I give money to the Annual Fund now, will I be asked to give again?

Hilltop will thank you profusely, and you will not be asked to give to the Annual Fund until next year.

Is a gift to the Annual Fund tax deductible?

Yes! As allowed by the IRS, all charitable gifts are tax-deductible. Hilltop Montessori School is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Will the amount my family gave be made public?

No. We will publicly acknowledge all our donors in a list of names published in the monthly newsletter and the Annual Report, but we will not share the dollar amount of contributions. Your gift may also be completely anonymous if you would prefer; just let us know.

Why can’t I earmark my Annual Fund contribution for a specific project?

One of the most valuable aspects of the Annual Fund is its flexibility. Annual Fund contributions, like tuition payments, go into the general operating budget. This system allows us to set budgetary priorities and to react quickly to opportunities and needs as they arise.

I’d like to make a significant one-time gift to Hilltop. How can I do that?

Endowment gifts, the upcoming capital campaign for the renovation of the Community Arts and Recreation building, bequests and life income gifts are different ways to create a lasting legacy at Hilltop. Toby Welch, Head of School, would love to speak to you about these and other opportunities for giving.

I’m ready to make my Annual Fund Contribution. How can I do so?

• You can make your gift online on our secure website, using a PayPal account or a major credit card.
• You can mail in a check to: Hilltop Montessori School, 120 Summit Circle, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• You can drop off a check to the front desk.
• Either online or with a pledge card, you can set up a monthly payment plan. This is a great way to maximize your gift. For some, one payment of $500 might be out of the question for your family, while 10 payments of $50 may be quite possible.

 

Will the Annual Fund Help Renovate the Community Arts and Recreation Building?

No. Financing those renovations will require a Capital Campaign. A Capital Campaign is a major one-time fundraising effort spread over 2-3 years to raise significant capital for a special project, usually a new building.  In contrast, the Annual Fund is money raised each and every year without fail, to offset the annual expenses of the school. The Annual Fund helps HILLTOP live; Capital Campaign funds help HILLTOP grow. Although we all look forward to a newly-renovated Barn, in reality such a major undertaking must be approached with care. Last fall, the school completed a comprehensive Strategic Plan, which determined that finishing that phase of the campus build out falls high on the list of school wide priorities. A Capital Campaign committee has just been formed this fall to begin the process of establishing a timeline, exploring funding sources, and defining a process to determine the final design. As work progresses, expect to hear from this group in the near future.