Titan Fund!
TITAN FUND STARTS NEXT WEEK!
Our Titan Annual Fund is the one (yep, no gift wrap sells) major fundraiser for the fall semester at MDS and will commence next week. As the Director of Development (basically, the one that asks for money around here!) for the past six years, I have had the pleasure of discussing the importance of our Annual Fund with many families and staff members. Based on these discussions, I have put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to this critical appeal.
My family is already paying tuition for my child to attend MDS. What exactly am I "getting" when I make a pledge to the Titan Fund?
Answer:
Your financial contribution to the Titan Annual Fund supports the people and programs that define MDS: amazing teachers, small classes, instructional resources, technology advancements, and enrichment classes (art, Spanish, PE, music). Tuition only covers 84% of our operating budget, so MDS relies on a combination of grants and unrestricted funds/donations (ie. Titan Fund) to make up the difference.
Why does tuition not cover all of our budget? Why can we not raise tuition and avoid the Annual Fund, altogether?
Answer:
Morganton Day School is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit institution. We are here to provide the best education to a diverse group of students, which requires tuition to be affordable. To provide the best programs and competitive compensation to our outstanding faculty and staff, we continually evaluate and assess tuition increases. However, unlike tuition, a financial contribution to the Titan Fund is fully tax-deductible and allows each family to give at a meaningful level to which they are able.
I receive a scholarship or reduced tuition to MDS. Should I still give?
Answer:
Yes, please! Your participation is vital in our efforts to obtain grants. Many foundations look for 100% participation from families when reviewing grant applications. To help budget for your gift, we have an online payment option, which allows you to have small amounts credited during the year. A gift of $5/week (cheaper than a cup of Starbucks), for instance, adds up to over $200!
Meredith McSwain
Director of Development
