WHY GIVE?

• The generosity of the Buckley community plays a large part in making The Buckley School exceptional and for that we are extremely grateful.  Tuition does not cover the cost of educating a child and the Annual Fund ensures that we maintain both the excellence of our program, and its breadth as required by our 4-Fold Plan of Education. All independent schools rely on donations from their community.
• Our school is unique in Los Angeles because our model of education. We serve grades K-12, we are extraordinarily small and we specialize in individual attention. Buckley’s educational model is expensive, but it makes Buckley a unique and personal learning environment, with a low student-to-faculty ratio, the best in technology and an incredible array of courses and experiences for our students. From a practical perspective, we could raise our tuition to fully cover the costs of our annual budget, but unlike gifts to the Annual Fund, tuition is not tax-deductible.
• Gifts of all sizes help us reach our financial goal and our goal of 100% parent participation. We are all in this together. With only 570 families, you are an important part of our success!

WHO GIVES?

• Parents, faculty, staff, grandparents, friends and alumni. All are asked to help Buckley with a financial contribution.
• Nearly all Buckley faculty and staff make a personal, financial contribution to the Annual Fund.

HOW MUCH?

• Giving is a personal decision. We ask each family to give to the best of their ability; for some families, that amount is $100, for others it is $50,000.
• Gifts of all sizes matter. The act of giving is important because contributions of all sizes add up to big differences in our students’ lives and the viability of Buckley. We urge you to give what you can. It is about your participation and your voice of support for the quality of education our students receive.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

• 70% of Buckley’s budget goes to faculty and staff salaries and benefits.
• Gifts to the Annual Fund affect everything from financial aid to classroom supplies to professional development for faculty to maintaining campus safety. It literally pays our teachers’ salaries and allows us to meet our annual budget, from keeping the lights on to ensuring the best in technology for our students.

WHERE SHOULD I DIRECT MY GIFT?

• Current Operations. Current Operations, or the unrestricted fund, is the highest priority for the Annual Fund. The unrestricted fund supports every area of the school, from faculty professional development to classroom supplies to financial aid. Gifts to Current Operations allow the school to be nimble and proactive in enhancing programming, addressing the needs of students, and balancing the annual budget.
• Endowment. An endowment gift is one where the principal donation is maintained in perpetuity. A portion of the annual investment return is spent on the highest priorities of the school. Surplus earnings are reinvested in the endowment so the fund can grow and provide long-term financial security for the school.
• Senior Legacy Fund. A gift to the Senior Legacy Fund is a gift to Buckley’s general endowment in honor of a senior class. With continued annual support from alumni, Senior Legacy Funds and their impact will grow. Over time, as subsequent graduating classes establish their own legacy funds, the combined impact for future generations of Buckley students will be tremendous.
• Financial Aid. Gifts to Financial Aid will go into a current-use fund to support students who otherwise would not be able to attend The Buckley School. Gifts to Financial Aid support the school’s strategic goals of socio-economic diversity and inclusion.
• Wings Financial Aid Fund. Since its founding in 1992, the Wings Fund has provided deserving and determined students with the opportunity to experience a Buckley education. Created by Buckley alumni, the financial aid fund fully supports a student-from the beginning of his or her time at Buckley through graduation- and includes tuition and fees, transportation, outdoor education and meal expenses. As a courtesy to the student, the identity of the Wings Scholar is confidential.
• Campaign. Capital Campaign gifts are direct support for the construction of new buildings on campus. The best schools thrive because each generation does their part to make it better for future generations.

I RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID. DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?

• Yes. We ask that every Buckley family share the responsibility of the Annual Fund. We strive for 100% participation, regardless of the size of the gift.