Last year, the whole Burke's community came together, in a difficult time, to raise more than $1.56 million dollars. We achieved an incredible 99.7% parent participation, as well 100% participation from our Board of Trustees, our Alumnae Board, and our faculty and staff. Thank you for all of your support and your resilience and commitment through an unusual, but wonderful year!
In this 2020-21 school year, things are far from typical. This is an unprecedented time, and Burke’s is facing unprecedented need. So we need to keep our goals lofty. Our financial goal is to match last year’s efforts and raise $1.56 million for this year's Annual Fund and we are aiming to achieve 100% Parent Participation by Winter Break.
Every year, the Annual Fund delivers nearly 10% of the school’s annual operating budget and supports a wide range of experiences at Burke’s. Among these annually are academic programs, teacher professional development, student financial assistance, and the maintenance of our classrooms and beloved 3.5-acre campus. And this year, the Annual Fund is also crucial to the funding of the innovation, improvements, and new initiatives necessitated by a global pandemic. With expanded staffing, technology upgrades, and critical health and safety priorities, your support is more important than ever. The broad reach of the Annual Fund at this time means that each student, family, and faculty member benefits from the dollars we raise.
The Annual Fund continues to make Burke’s accessible to a broader group of families, some who may not have needed financial assistance before this year and some who require more support than past years. As a community, we believe that a diverse group of students in the classroom conversations provides a complete and outstanding education for our girls. Each year, tuition is intentionally set at a level below the actual cost of educating a Burke’s girl, and we ask our community to help bridge this difference with a gift to the Annual Fund. The bridge per child for the 2020-21 school year is $5,000, and we hope families who can contribute this amount or more without hardship will stretch to give generously.
That said, gifts of all sizes are welcome and appreciated! Please donate online to the Annual Fund or download and mail this Annual Fund Form with your contribution. For gifts of securities, email Selena Shadle, Director of Advancement. To make a pledge, email Diana Kaw, Associate Director of Advancement.