2023-2024 Annual Fund
Thank you for your support!
-
-
(Click to watch video)
-
How does an Annual Fund gift assist students and faculty?
The Annual Fund serves as the philanthropic foundation of Bentley School, ensuring that we continue to uphold the highest standards of education and maintain an enriching learning environment for our students.
Area of Greatest Need
Giving to the area of greatest need allows faculty, administrators, and Trustees flexibility when deciding where to dedicate funds during the school year. While a preliminary budget is determined at the beginning of the year, mid-year changes allow the School to provide the best education and support for our students.
Faculty Professional Development
High quality faculty and staff are critical to the success of Bentley students. Ongoing professional development allows faculty to practice responsive curriculum design, challenging students with engaging and innovative content relevant to changing needs in the world.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Bentley is dedicated to DEIB in the classroom and in the social fabric of the School. Funds allow faculty and students to explore these topics through the curriculum, discovering what equity and inclusion represents in today's world.
Arts
Through a robust arts curriculum, students are provided with a platform to express themselves, think critically, and engage with the world in profound and imaginative ways. Through the arts, students develop skills that extend beyond the canvas or stage.
Athletics
Athletic pursuits cultivate a strong sense of community, as students collaborate towards shared goals, celebrate victories, and navigate challenges together.
Student Wellness
Recognizing that a healthy and balanced student is better equipped to excel in various facets of life, Bentley School is working to provide a comprehensive wellness program. Students are given the tools and support they need to navigate the challenges of both academic and personal life.
Financial Aid
The cost of educating students has grown significantly over the years for all independent schools. To support families, the School provides over 25% of students at Bentley with significant reduction in tuition, ensuring that cost is not the deciding factor when choosing the School.
Below are areas where you can designate gifts, along with a few examples of expenditures covered by the Annual Fund.
Area of Greatest Need
Giving to the area of greatest need allows faculty, administrators, and Trustees flexibility when deciding where to dedicate funds during the school year. While a preliminary budget is determined at the beginning of the year, mid-year changes allow the School to provide the best education and support for our students.
Faculty Professional Development
High quality faculty and staff are critical to the success of Bentley students. Ongoing professional development allows faculty to practice responsive curriculum design, challenging students with engaging and innovative content relevant to changing needs in the world.
- National conferences to learn best-in-class practices
- Local and regional workshops to delve into curricular trends and how they are working in peer schools
- Pursuit of advanced degrees in relevant fields of study
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Bentley is dedicated to DEIB in the classroom and in the social fabric of the School. Funds allow faculty and students to explore these topics through the curriculum, discovering what equity and inclusion represents in today's world.
- School affinity groups
- Cultural events celebrating our community's diversity
- Consulting services to assist in developing a comprehensive DEIB approach that aligns with Bentley School
Arts
Through a robust arts curriculum, students are provided with a platform to express themselves, think critically, and engage with the world in profound and imaginative ways. Through the arts, students develop skills that extend beyond the canvas or stage.
- Musical instruments
- Theatrical costumes
- Art supplies
- Theater rentals
Athletics
Athletic pursuits cultivate a strong sense of community, as students collaborate towards shared goals, celebrate victories, and navigate challenges together.
- Hiring great coaches
- Equipping athletes with appropriate gear and safety equipment
- Uniforms and spirit gear
- Transportation for teams
Student Wellness
Recognizing that a healthy and balanced student is better equipped to excel in various facets of life, Bentley School is working to provide a comprehensive wellness program. Students are given the tools and support they need to navigate the challenges of both academic and personal life.
- Counseling services
- 2023-2024 Mindfulness Initiative in the classroom
- Community events like Phoenix Fest and school dances
Financial Aid
The cost of educating students has grown significantly over the years for all independent schools. To support families, the School provides over 25% of students at Bentley with significant reduction in tuition, ensuring that cost is not the deciding factor when choosing the School.
- Direct financial aid to families
- Financial support for additional expenses (e.g. class trips)
Annual Fund
Giving Levels
The Margaret Bentley Society:
$25,000+
Phoenix Society:
$15,000 - $24,999
Bentley Benefactors:
$10,000 - $14,999
Head of School's Circle:*
$5,000 - $9,999
Blue and White Club:
$2,500 - $4,999
Bentley Friends
All Gifts Appreciated
*Leadership giving begins at Head of School's Circle
$25,000+
Phoenix Society:
$15,000 - $24,999
Bentley Benefactors:
$10,000 - $14,999
Head of School's Circle:*
$5,000 - $9,999
Blue and White Club:
$2,500 - $4,999
Bentley Friends
All Gifts Appreciated
*Leadership giving begins at Head of School's Circle
Annual Fund FAQs
List of 9 items.
-
Why do we ask parents to make a donation in addition to paying tuition?
Bentley endeavors to keep tuition as affordable as possible for our families. As a result, like other independent schools, Bentley relies on a combination of tuition, Annual Fund gifts, and other revenue streams to cover annual operating costs.
Current parents are the most significant donor group to Bentley and have the greatest opportunity and responsibility for contributing to their children’s education and the vitality of the School. The strength of the Annual Fund is a defining characteristic of a learning community. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference in the lives of our students. -
How is Bentley funded as an independent school?
Tuition provides the largest portion of the operating budget of the school. Other support is derived from tax-deductible contributions, such as gifts to the Annual Fund, special fundraising events, such as the Gala, and earnings on investments and endowment. -
Doesn’t tuition cover costs at Bentley?
Not quite. Tuition covers most operating costs but the Annual Fund closes the gap between tuition and expenses. In order to provide the breadth of the full academic program for the students and faculty, parents, past-parents, alumni, corporations, friends, and foundations all support the school by their contributions to the Annual Fund. -
What does the Annual Fund provide for Bentley School?
Annual Fund gifts supplement the school's annual operating budget and, according to school auditors, over 85 cents of each donated dollar support faculty compensation and financial aid combined. Additional enhancements provided in the past from the Annual Fund have included:- State of the art computers and specialized software
- Physical education and athletic equipment
- Library enhancements
- Professional workshops and training sessions for faculty and staff
- New and more advanced equipment for science classes
- Support of performing arts programs
-
Are gifts to the Annual Fund considered tax-deductible contributions?
Yes! Bentley is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible. When you send your donation to the school, your gift will be acknowledged in a letter that should be kept for your tax purposes. -
What am I expected to contribute?
Each Bentley family determines the amount they are able to contribute and each gift is important. When Bentley seeks funding from other sources, such as foundations and corporations, it is important to be able to illustrate the support of its parents and others by noting the percentage of individuals who contribute to Bentley. Consequently, we stress the importance of 100% parent participation to support the School’s efforts in providing a solid educational program for its students. All contributions are recognized each year in the Bentley Annual Report. -
Does Bentley School accept matching gifts from companies?
Yes! Every year we are the grateful recipients of many corporate matching gifts. Please contact your company's Human Resources Department to find out if they offer a matching gift program. We are eager to increase our annual support by participating in as many matching gift opportunities as possible. -
What are Capital gifts?
Any building and enhancement projects on the Hiller and Lafayette Campuses will require special funding to ensure completion. Capital gifts are made in addition to contributions to the Annual Fund and may be paid to the School as a multi-year pledge. -
What is Bentley School's Employer Identification Number?
Bentley's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 94-1700304. An EIN, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used to identify a business entity.
