What is Annual Giving?
Annual Giving is a primary fundraising vehicle for Town School, and it provides up to 12% of the School's general operating budget - a portion not covered by tuition, endowment income or fees. With this program, Town School maintains its competitive faculty salaries and benefits, purchases equipment, provides technology support and funds its outstanding programs for its students.

Why is participation important?
Voluntary support is a way you can show your commitment to Town School and ensure that Town students continue to have a superior education. In addition, when independent schools apply for grants, the foundations look closely at participation figures. Foundations are more likely to support those schools with a strong record of participation from their parents, alumni and friends. Likewise, corporations tend to give support to strongly supported schools.

Why are unrestricted gifts important?
Town relies on unrestricted gifts annually to help finance its academic program. Unrestricted gifts are contributions to Annual Giving that are not designated (restricted to a specific purpose). They will be spent on operational costs including faculty salaries and benefits as well as academic programs and building maintenance.

What are the different major donor categories for 2003-2004?
The Edwin M. Rich Society (named for the founding headmaster of Town School) was established by the Board of Trustees in 1983 to recognize donors making a leadership donation to the School's Annual Giving program. Membership is renewable annually. Its levels are:

• Founders - $15,000 or above
• Ambassadors - $10,000 to $14,999
• Headmaster's Group - $5,000 to $9,999
• Town Associates - $2,500 to $4,999
• Contributors - $1,500 to $2,499
• Town Friends - $500 to $1,499
• Other - $1 to $499
• Alumni Tiger Club  - $250 to $1,499
• Alumni Circle - $1 to $249

What role do alumni, grandparents and friends have in fundraising?
Participation of all members of our Town community continues to grow, and is important to the well-being of the School. We are deeply grateful for each and every gift, regardless of its size.

What are the other major fundraising activities at Town?
During November Town holds the Wine Tasting, Dinner and Auction, which has been highly popular in our community. The Committee, chaired in 2003 by Bill and Lisa Dana, organizes the event and coordinates live and silent auctions featuring outstanding California wines. An annual Golf Tournament and Tennis Classic, chaired in 2004 by Eric and Gayle Starr, Mark and Hilary McInerney and Tim Smith and Ronna Stone, is one of the premier golfing events in the Bay Area. Both events raise money for tuition assistance and faculty development programs at Town School. If you can help with either event, please contact Abiah Folger, Director of Special Events. The School also has a second-hand thrift shop, Town School Clothes Closet, on Sacramento Street. Funds from this activity support tuition assistance as well as faculty enrichment.

What are the ways to make gifts to Town School?
Cash - All cash gifts are fully deductible. Gifts of cash may be made to Annual Giving, which supports the day-to-day operations of the school.

Securities - With a gift of appreciated securities instead of cash, you can qualify for a tax-deduction based on the fair market value of the stock if you have held it for a year or more.

Bequests - An outright bequest to Town will reduce the taxation of a decedent's estate and ultimately provide for Town School.

What is the Portea Aurea Society?
Those who have included Town School in their estate plans or who have made a deferred gift become members of the Portea Aurea Society (named for the Golden Gate, taken from the School's motto).