At Greensboro Day School, we are fortunate to enjoy a culture of giving and support, providing us with vital financial resources every independent school needs to thrive and grow. Generations of parents, trustees, alumni, grandparents, faculty and friends have contributed to GDS with a spirit of generosity that makes us proud.

Since the founding of our school, tax-deductible gifts to the Annual Fund:

• support faculty salaries
• promote individual opportunities for our students in all divisions
• add technology to classrooms
• contribute to financial assistance
• give our school the leading edge in educational excellence.

Because the Annual Fund is 5% of the GDS operating budget, it is a critical part of everything we do.

What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is the GDS’ most important ongoing fundraising activity, raising over $700,000 for the current school year budget. The Annual Fund helps provide for the same items covered in the budget: teacher salaries, classroom supplies, specialist programs, arts, athletics, technology, and more.

Because tuition doesn’t cover the entire cost of a GDS education (there is typically an $1,800 - $2,000 difference per student), we ask every family to support the Annual Fund at a level that is appropriate to their own family budget and one that shows your pride in being part of the GDS community.

Who gives to the Annual Fund?
Over 1,000 members of the GDS community (parents, alumni, faculty, grandparents, friends) make unrestricted donations each year that go directly into our annual operating budget. This includes more than eight out of ten families. Click here to learn more.

What is a leadership gift?
Leadership gifts are those of $1,000 or more and represent 88% of all funds raised. Gifts of every size make a difference, and every gift is appreciated.

How are gifts recognized?
GDS values your support! Every year, we recognize our donors in our Annual Report, both by who you are (parents, alumni or grandparents, for example) and the giving level in which you participate. Specific gift amounts are never listed.

Donors making gifts in honor or memory of a teacher, a family member or someone special are listed in the Annual Report along with the name of their designee.

Annual Fund First: Then & Now
For the past 42 years, supporting GDS has been a philanthropic priority for many people in our community. Year after year, donors repeat their gifts to the Annual Fund, ensuring that Greensboro Day School continues to provide an unparalleled education.

Why commit now?
Because GDS Annual Fund dollars are part of this year’s budget, it’s crucial that the Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee know that we will meet our goal in the fall in order to plan for the remainder of the year. While we realize that everyone may choose to fulfill their pledge at anytime during the school year, we ask that you make your pledge now.

Fran and Bert Davis(Annual Fund donors since 2008)
Co-Chairs, Annual Fund First campaign, parents of Sandra ’17, Julia ’19, Eli '27 and Frances '27

The spirit of giving was evident at GDS when our children became Bengals four years ago. As new parents on campus, we saw teachers, students and parents giving of themselves to foster an academic and nurturing environment. Annual Fund First: Then and Now, continues to reinforce that same spirit of giving.  We give to the GDS Annual Fund first because it allows us to have a direct impact on the quality of education our children receive.

As Annual Fund Chairs, we would like to thank long-term Annual Fund donors who continually make a commitment to support the GDS community. To our new families, we encourage your participation in the Annual Fund First campaign, as you are now part of this community of giving.

Berkeley and George Harris (Annual Fund donors since 1970)
Founding Trustee; parents of Virginia Harris Knox ’83, Parker Harris ’85 and Berkeley Harris Gardner ’87; grandparents of Olivia ’14 and Henry ’16 Knox

From the beginning, we believed that building a strong educational foundation in our children's lives was important.  So from the day our children started at the Day School, we wanted to help build a strong foundation for GDS.  Continuing that support has been important and also a pleasure.  We have always considered ourselves part of the Day School family and we always will.

Sherry and Kerry Clark (Annual Fund donors since 2007)
Parent volunteers; parents of Kullen ’14

When we made our first gift to the Annual Fund, we did it because we were asked. We continue to give because we realize the importance of giving back and supporting our son’s school and his teachers. The Annual Fund is a way to express gratitude for all the opportunities that GDS provides our children. We learned that tuition does not cover the actual cost of an education at GDS, and gifts to the Annual Fund help make up that difference. There are many levels of giving, making it comfortable for everyone to participate. There is a proverb that says "when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." It matters to our children that we all do what we can to make a difference.

Erick Ellsweig ’85 (Annual Fund donor since 1985)
GDS Alumni Board; with wife Kim, parent of Ace ’17

The Annual Fund is an opportunity to make a difference to a school that's been an integral part of my life. Now that my son is a student at GDS, it is more important than ever to support it. From personal experience, I know that he is being cared for, challenged, and is receiving an outstanding education. This holds true for all students at GDS. Our school is now at a point in its history where the maturity of our alumni is one of its greatest strengths. It is just as imperative now, as it was in the past, for us to show our support.