Annual Giving is a yearly appeal for donations to support the current
operations of The Montclair Kimberley Academy. MKA is an independent
school, which means that it has not been formed by a school district or
government agency to serve the public of a particular geographic area.
It has been privately formed to educate its carefully selected student
body. Independent schools design their own programs and are normally
independent from state and federal funding. In contrast to public
schools, independent (or private) schools have to rely financially on
tuition income, endowment income, and annual contributions, rather than
tax dollars. Independent schools are expensive - especially one like
MKA that maintains small class sizes on three separate campuses. In
line with its peers, MKA charges tuition that covers approximately 89
percent of the cost of educating each student. To help bridge the gap
between tuition revenue and operating expenses, MKA depends on a
voluntary Annual Giving Program.
Operating expenses are primarily faculty salaries and benefits, the
expenses of maintaining and improving the physical plant, the costs of
educational materials, and MKA's financial aid program. The outstanding
reputation and unique tri-campus community that make up the MKA
experience would not be possible without the generous support of the
school's parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty,
staff, and
friends.
MKA needs its parents, alumni, and friends to give as generously as
possible in order to give the students and faculty the financial
support they deserve. Parents who are new to MKA learn about Annual
Giving at the New Parent Dinner held each fall. Another fall tradition,
MKA community members from all constituencies receive a letter from
their respective Annual Giving Chairperson outlining the needs and
goals of each year's program prior to being solicited during a
three-week phonathon. MKA has been fortunate to generate extremely
successful Annual Giving programs, both in terms of meeting financial
goals and in encouraging significant participation. MKA hopes parents
will make MKA their highest philanthropic priority while their children
are students at the school, but support of Annual Giving is welcomed at
any level. Donors of gifts of $350 and above are recognized as being
members of an MKA Gift Club, and are thanked at an annual reception.
The Headmaster's Circle recognizes leadership gifts of $3000 and above
with a special dinner, coupled with reserved seating at the Upper
School Winter Musical's Opening Night. MKA's complete Gift Club
perameters are as follows:
The Headmaster's Club ($7500 and above)
The
Headmaster's Council ($5000-$7499)
The Headmaster's Circle ($3000-$4999)
MKA Associates ($1500-$2999)
Torchbearers ($850-$1499)
MKA Patrons ($350-$849)
Cougar Society ($100) For young alumni in classes of 1995-2005
MKA's goal in its 2006-2007 campaign is $825,000. Of note, foundations also support Annual Giving at MKA, and those considering grants often look closely at
the rate of Annual Giving participation in assessing the strength of
the school. Corporations also contribute through employee Matching Gift
Programs, and donors are encouraged to determine whether their
employers participate in such a program. All gifts to Annual Giving are
tax deductible and payable by June 15, 2007.
