Annual Fund MAKE AN IMPACT

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1 Annual Fund MAKE Out-of-Door! IMPACT

2 Leadership Annual Fund Co-Chairs Mickey & Ned Davis Connor - Grade 3 Dylan - Grade 4 Linda & Peter Ross Shannon - Grade 6 Linda & Jerry Ruschau Max - Grade 5 Alex - Grade 11 The Out-of-Door Academy s Annual Fund strengthens and sustains the extraordinary program that defines an Out-of-Door education. Each year, the school relies on contributions to provide critical support to our operating budget above and beyond tuition. These gifts have an immediate and direct benefit to each student and faculty member, as well as to the quality and range of all school programs. The Annual Fund supports every student at The Out-of-Door Academy. Why is the Annual Fund necessary? We can t operate without it! Tuition alone does not cover the cost of operating our school. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) recommends that 10% of a school s operating budget come from annual giving. Your generosity helps make Out-of-Door a great place to learn and teach, providing the support to help us attract and retain top-notch faculty members and continue to offer exceptional programs which are unique to Out-of-Door. MAKE AN Out-of-Door!

3 Donors can direct their Annual Fund gift to our Family of Funds: Area of Greatest Need Academics Arts Athletics Technology The Family of Funds provides donors the option of indicating areas of personal interest while supporting fundamental elements of the school program.

5 The hallmark of a great school is a talented and experienced faculty. The Out-of-Door Academy strives to recruit and retain a diverse faculty who teach to the highest standards, are passionate about education, and are excellent role models for our students. They go above and beyond for all of the students in their care. Out-of-Door is committed to ensuring competitive compensation and excellent benefits for all teachers and providing them with opportunities for professional growth and development. The Academic Fund contributes to and promotes these high standards. MAKE AN Out-of-Door! Resources to attract, recruit, and retain the best teachers from across the nation Competitive compensation and a great benefits package Professional development and funding for graduate work Guest speakers and assembly programs Academics

Out-of-Door recognizes that participation in athletics has benefits beyond physical exercise and acknowledges the development of personal qualities like courage, perseverance, teamwork, and

7 Out-of-Door recognizes that participation in athletics has benefits beyond physical exercise and acknowledges the development of personal qualities like courage, perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship as the true aims of sport. In addition to a broadly-developed physical education program for Lower and Middle School students, Thunder varsity teams have won an impressive 15 district and regional championships since the program s inception in 1996 in addition to 51 district, 10 regional, and 8 state individual championships. MAKE AN Out-of-Door! 35 Middle and Upper School teams in 13 sports Maintenance of facilities for practice, competition, & training Practice equipment and team uniforms for all student athletes Travel expenses for away games Competitive stipends for coaches Athletics

9 Out-of-Door is committed to increasing opportunities for all students to participate in and appreciate the arts. To fulfill that mission, the school offers numerous music, drama, and art classes as well as performances, exhibitions, workshops, and concerts. The Visual & Performing Arts Center allows even greater educational opportunities with a state-of-the art black box theater, band/orchestra & choral rooms, ceramics studio, and scene shop. MAKE AN Out-of-Door! Music groups (Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band and Drumline) Electives in the visual and performing arts classes Musical instruments and equipment Costumes and set design for plays and concerts Arts

11 Innovative technology advances learning for all students and faculty. Out-of-Door s campus-wide network includes over 300 workstations, four designated computer labs, eight mobile Macbook labs, and two new mobile ipad labs. Technologies include curriculum-based software, interactive displays, video production, and smart boards. The expanded Parent Portal will enhance electronic communication in a myriad of new and exciting ways. MAKE AN Out-of-Door! 20 new wireless tablets for the graphic art lab Expanded wireless networks at both campuses Interactive 3M and Mimio Projection technology in all classrooms 2 new mobile ipad labs Maintenance of over 200 Mac computers and 6 laptop carts Graphic design, computer programming, and software application electives Technology

12 Every gift really does matter. A little goes a long way at Out-of-Door. When you make a gift to the Annual Fund, you join hundreds of alumni, parents, friends, grandparents, faculty, and staff who support the Out-of-Door Annual Fund each year. While the average gift last year from parents was $1,000, gifts of $250 and less accounted for $28,000. Since you can designate your contribution for Academics, the Arts, Athletics or Area of Greatest Need, you can support what matters most to you. MAKE AN Out-of-Door!

13 By supporting the Area of Greatest Need, you are allowing Out-of-Door the most discretion to use your gift where it is most vitally needed. These funds will be used to support the operating budget, which directly benefits the students, faculty, programs, and operations. The Out-of-Door Academy relies on the support and involvement of our entire school community trustees, parents, alumni, faculty/staff, parents of alumni, and grandparents. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of those who support the Annual Fund each and every year. Your commitment and philanthropic support enable Out-of-Door to provide an excellent, comprehensive education for our students while also positioning the school for success in the future. Area of Greatest Need

14 Some commonly asked questions about giving to The Out-of-Door Academy: Why do we have an Annual Fund? The Annual Fund is critical because tuition alone does not cover the costs of operating The Out-of-Door Academy. Like other independent schools, Out-of-Door supplements costs through the Annual Fund where donations are tax deductible, unlike tuition. Why does Out-of-Door ask for contributions instead of increasing tuition? Augmenting tuition through charitable gifts helps keep tuition at a competitive rate, provides many important programs and improvements that are essential to successfully fulfilling our mission, while maintaining the small, close-knit community that makes Outof-Door such a special place. It also provides an opportunity for you to receive an income tax deduction on any gift to our school to the extent allowed by law.

15 How much am I expected to give? We ask the Out-of-Door community to make the school its highest philanthropic priority, giving to the best of one s ability and at a level that demonstrates the value placed on an exemplary education. While our average gift-per-student is approximately $1,000, participation is our foremost goal. Does my gift really make a difference? Each gift makes a difference for our students ~ the only gift too small is the one not made at all. Out-of-Door also supplements financial needs through the help of outside foundations. These foundations want to see a school that has strong giving from constituencies. It is key that every single parent give to the Annual Fund strong support on the inside leads to even more support on the outside. Do I need to send money in right now? No, you can pledge your gift now and indicate a payment schedule that is most convenient for you. We will be happy to remind you when your pledge is due. Frequently Asked Questions

Cash, Check and Credit Cards: Please make checks payable to The Out-of-Door Academy. We also accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Online: Give via our secure website at www.oda.

17 Cash, Check and Credit Cards: Please make checks payable to The Out-of-Door Academy. We also accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Online: Give via our secure website at Pledge Payments: Make a pledge to be paid at a later date or in a series of installments. All pledges must be paid in full by May 31st. Matching Gifts: You have the opportunity to double or even triple the value of your gift. Many companies offer matching gift programs to their employees as one of their benefits. Please contact your human resources officer to learn more about your company s matching gift policy. Stock Gifts/Appreciated Securities: Making a gift of appreciated securities can create tax savings for the donor. A wire transfer is the easiest way to make a gift of stock. Call the Chief Advancement Officer at (941) to discuss a gift of this nature. Ways to Give Fiscal Year 2012: The fiscal year for the Annual Fund is July 1, 2011 to June 30, A gift now or pledge to be paid by May 31st will save us from contacting you again regarding the Annual Fund this fiscal year. We appreciate your ongoing support of The Out-of- Door Academy.

18 Leadership Society Founder s Circle $20,000 and above Out-of-Door Leaders.... $15,000 $19, Club $10,000 $14,999 Headmaster s Council.... $5,000 $9,999 Banyan Tree Society..... $2,500 $4,999 Patron Society Circle of Patrons $1,000 $2,499 Blue & White Associates..... $500 $999 Out-of-Door Supporters.... $250 $499 Friends of Out-of-Door..... $249 or less MAKE AN Out-of-Door! Leadership Society The value of leadership-level gifts cannot be underestimated. Gifts at the leadership level ($2,500 and above) account for over 90% of the support received. The Leadership Society is for donors who are committed to leading The Out-of- Door Academy. By participating in The Leadership Society, we hope you will inspire others to follow your example. Leadership gifts enable Out-of-Door to meet current needs for student scholarships, faculty recruitment, new academic initiatives, and improvements to learning environments. With an annual donation of $2,500 or more, you can join our ranks of more than 75 Leadership Society members, who provide support to The Out-of-Door Academy. Donors who give at the Leadership Society level are invited to a special thankyou party. Leadership Society donors are also recognized annually in our Annual Report and on our website.

19 The Annual Giving Family of Funds supports faculty and students through the school s operating budget. Should designated contributions exceed a fund s budgeted limit, the school s administration retains the discretion to use such funds to support general operations. For more information about the Annual Fund, please call the Director of Annual Giving at (941) All gifts to The Out-of-Door Academy are 100% tax deductible, based on the school s 501(c)(3) charitable status. Donor levels at Out-of-Door

Siesta Key Campus, Pre-K through Grade 6 444 Reid Street ~ Sarasota, FL 34242 Uihlein Campus

20 Siesta Key Campus, Pre-K through Grade Reid Street ~ Sarasota, FL Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch, Grades Deer Drive ~ Sarasota, FL ~

How can you make a difference?

1 How can you make a difference? you make the excellence happen You can count the reasons most families choose an independent school on one hand: outstanding, innovative academic programs; smart, passionate