Thanks to the diligence and planning of the School’s administration and Trustees, Menlo is financially stable. The culture of philanthropy at Menlo is very strong and the community is very generous. Philanthropic contributions fund a portion of the operating budget and allow Menlo to provide the amazing facilities, faculty, program, and financial aid that make it a diverse community and a school of excellence.

Menlo’s Annual Fund contributes approximately 10% of the operating budget, which translates to $4.9 million this school year. Gifts to the Annual Fund ensure that Menlo can:

• Develop new academic initiatives
• Expand offerings in academics, arts, and athletics
• Equip students, faculty, and coaches with the resources they need
• Enhance professional development opportunities for faculty and staff
• Fund technological innovations
• Attract and retain talented students regardless of their financial means

The Annual Fund helps us to keep our tuition at a level of affordability that promotes a diverse student body and maintains a tuition that is competitive with our peer schools. All gifts to Menlo are tax-deductible.

Absolutely! Every gift matters. The participation of our entire community is critical to the success of our work. Every student benefits from the Annual Fund, and community support reflects the strong culture of philanthropy at our school. Annual Fund participation is a metric, which is used nationally and most easily signifies confidence in the school. Strong parent participation can be an indicator for foundations and other organizations who are considering a gift to Menlo. Our goal is to reach 100% participation every year!

Menlo’s robust athletic and arts programs are funded by the operating budget and the Annual Fund. Gifts to the Annual Fund directly impact student experiences by allowing teachers and coaches flexibility.

Menlo would not be the same school without the incredible gift of time and talent from our parent community. The School relies on parent support of the Annual Fund to achieve our goals and keep tuition as low as possible and competitive with our peer schools. A participatory gift of any amount is appreciated.

 

The “gap” is the amount of the operating budget that is funded by the Annual Fund. That amount is approximately $6,000 per Menlo student.

The Blue & Gold Circle is the annual giving level of $5,000+. The portion of the operating budget contributed by the Annual Fund is approximately $6,000 per student, and a gift at this level ensures financial sustainability and flexibility for Menlo in the future. In order to be part of the Blue & Gold Circle, we ask that you show leadership by giving at or more than the per-student contribution.

Absolutely! Every gift matters. The participation of our entire community is critical to the success of our work. Every student benefits from the Annual Fund, and community support reflects the strong culture of philanthropy at our school. Annual Fund participation is a metric, which is used nationally and most easily signifies confidence in the school. Strong parent participation can be an indicator for foundations and other organizations who are considering a gift to Menlo. Our goal is to reach 100% every year!

Extra funds raised give the School flexibility to offer more financial aid or take advantage of a programmatic opportunity that may present itself over the course of the year.

Menlo’s endowment is $87.5 million as of June 30, 2023. Menlo’s draw is 4% of the past three years’ average value. Endowment (and other income) represents 6% of the operating budget. Funds from the endowment are used to fund financial aid, programs, and faculty support.

There are three primary ways that the Development Office asks for support from the Menlo community:

1) Annual Giving (Annual Fund) to support the operating budget each year
2) Live and Online Auctions to support the financial aid program
3) Endowment and capital projects.

Menlo relies on the Annual Fund to support the operating budget each and every year. We ask that all families participate in the Annual Fund and hope that each family will make Menlo their top philanthropic priority.

The Annual Fund and the ASF are both critical annual fundraising efforts. The Annual Fund is a current-use fund that supports the operating budget each year. The ASF is a permanently endowed scholarship fund, funded through annual gifts each year. While we ask current parents to make the Annual Fund their top giving priority at Menlo, we also ask that parents who are also alumni consider allocating a portion of their gift to the ASF.

 You can make your gift online at www.menloschool.org/supportmenlo, or you can send a personal check, donor-advised fund grant, wire transfer, or stock gift. We accept and value matching gifts as well! We encourage you to inquire about your employer’s matching gift program. All Annual Fund gifts are tax-deductible.

We also accept pledges to the Annual Fund.  Please make your pledge online using our pledge page, or email your pledge to Casey Wynn, Director of Development, at cwynn@menloschool.org. Pledges must be paid by May 31, 2024. 

Yes. A gift or pledge made early in the school year is a great advantage to the School because it enables us to know how much money will be available to support the School’s annual operating budget. Our goal is to have all Annual Fund commitments in by November 30, 2023. Pledges must be paid by May 31, 2024. We ask that matching gift pledges be submitted to employers by March 1, 2024.