Giving FAQ's

To ensure that each student has access to all of the resources that make a GMS education extraordinary, GMS, like most independent schools, depends on the philanthropic support of parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, and friends. Tuition and other sources of operating funds do not entirely fund GMS’s operations.

Giving to The GMS Fund specifically empowers our school to live and breathe our mission in all that we do. It provides our school with crucial unrestricted, current-use dollars that enable GMS to be nimble and innovative in creating new experiences and meeting the needs of all of our students.

Tuition intentionally only covers 90% of our operating costs, which means that the remaining 10%–what we call “The Gap”–must be funded through philanthropic gifts from our community to The GMS Fund.  This year, The Gap is $4,500 per student.

We keep tuition at a rate that is competitive with our peer independent schools. The GMS Board of Trustees deliberately sets tuition below the total cost to assemble an economically diverse student body and to provide the GMS community with opportunities to support the school with tax-deductible philanthropic gifts. While some of our families may be able to cover tuition increases year-over-year, most cannot.

 

Giving is a highly personal decision that families should make together. No matter how large or small, every gift makes a difference in reaching our annual fundraising goals and ensuring all of our students have a special experience. We ask that you make a gift that feels meaningful to you. Alongside our goal of raising $650,000, we are also aiming to achieve 100% family participation. This collective effort is a key way we strengthen and build our community here at GMS.

We recognize every donor in our Annual Report and any donor that gives at the Leadership level ($5,000 and above) to our annual Leadership Donor Reception. Regardless of the size of your gift, you will also receive a tax receipt.

Yes! GMS is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation. As a result, all gifts to the school are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Please consult with your tax advisor before making your gift, especially if you are giving securities or other non-cash gifts. If the claimed deduction of a gift-in-kind exceeds $5,000 (whether it is a single gift-in-kind or a series of gifts-in kind), an appraisal of the item(s) must be secured from an approved, independent appraiser, and IRS Form 8283 (which can be downloaded from the IRS or obtained from your professional tax advisor) must be completed and submitted with your tax return.

We hope so! Many employers offer a matching gifts program as an employee benefit. Matching gifts allow you to double or in some cases triple your contributions to the school. Use this tool to see if your employer participates in a matching gifts program. You will be recognized by GMS for the sum total of your family's gift AND any corporate match given in your name.

Our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

Yes! Please fill out our pledge form if you would like to do so.

GMS provides numerous ways for donors to make their gifts or fulfill their pledges. Please visit our Ways to Give page to learn more or initiate a gift or pledge fulfillment.

Volunteers are essential to all of our school’s operations, and especially to philanthropy at GMS. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit Ways to Get Involved to learn more and contact our team.