What to Support
- Annual Fund - 100% in 100 Days
- Event Fundraising
- The Gift of Time
- Capital and Endowment Campaigns
- A Gift to the Endowment
Annual Fund - 100% in 100 Days
The Annual Fund is the most important fundraising effort at MCDS each year. Tuition alone does not cover the actual cost of providing an MCDS education; the school relies on voluntary, tax-deductible contributions to make up the 6.5% annual operating budget gap. This year, our gap per student is $3,700.
The Annual Fund is a philanthropic opportunity to make an impact today that directly supports the people and programs that make MCDS a unique and unparalleled educational experience. Consistent with the independent school financial model, the Annual Fund is a collective gift from the community to fill an intentional 6.5% gap in the annual operating budget. Dollars donated are immediately put to work in the areas that matter most: attracting and retaining our exceptional teachers; providing dynamic and rigorous academic programs; purposefully integrating music, arts, athletics, and outdoor education into the curriculum; and supporting a diverse and inclusive community.
Consistent with all independent schools, our tuition is intentionally set below the full cost of education. We do this to provide for greater affordability, engaging a wider-ranging student community, as well as allowing families to pay for a portion of educational expenses through a tax-deductible donation.
For these reasons, the Annual Fund is the most important yearly fundraising effort at MCDS. We aim for 100% participation from the board of trustees, current families, and faculty and staff.
Gifts of all sizes matter and are appreciated, they make a difference to our students and the community.
Annual Fund pledges are payable by May 15. Current families are asked to make a specific pledge or gift before the 100th day of school (February 14).
If you are interested in learning about how you can get involved with Philanthropy at MCDS, or for information about the Annual Fund, please contact the Development Office at (415) 945-5937.
MAKE A GIFT!
Event Fundraising
Major fundraising events or "Make IT Happen" events support indexed tuition and include Community Dinner Dance, online auction and student Walkathon.
In addition, each year the Family Association in partnership with the Development Team runs a week long Book Fair to support our school library.
Students may also plan small fundraisers on campus to support local and global causes connect to their community engagement classes and curriculum.
To learn more about events, click here.
The Gift of Time
Volunteering enriches our program and strengthens connections in the school community. MCDS offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and expects that all parents and guardians will pitch in as they are able. We are also very grateful for the alumni, alumni parents and grandparents who donate their time to MCDS. To learn more about volunteering, please visit the Family Association Portal.
Capital and Endowment Campaigns
Periodic capital and endowment campaigns provide additional funds for campus improvements, curricular initiatives and the school’s endowment. We invite all members of the extended MCDS community to participate in major campaigns.
To make an installment on a multi-year pledge to the Step Together campaign, please do so here.
A Gift to the Endowment
A gift to the endowment is an investment in Marin Country Day School's future. Endowment funds are invested in perpetuity and provide resources use to meet current operating budget priorities.
See named/restricted endowment descriptions below.
To make a gift to the Marin Country Day School Endowment, please contact Ellen McGlynn, Assistant Head for Community Relations and Director of Development by phone at 415-927-5937 or by email emcglynn@mcds.org.
Student Support
Graduating CLASS Endowments
In 1991, parents of graduates launched the first Class Endowment in recognition of the excellent education their children had received at MCDS. Subsequently, each graduating class has established its own fund to support indexed tuition, and funds are being established retroactively for classes prior to 1991. As alumni and their parents make additional gifts, the Class Endowments are becoming an increasingly important factor in supporting access to school.
TIMOTHY W. JOHNSON FUND
Established in honor of Tim Johnson, Head of School for fifteen years, this fund supports indexed tuition. Tim was such an articulate spokesman for the belief that matriculation at MCDS creates many opportunities for all kinds of great kids to develop the skills, habits and motivation to encourage them to “envision and work toward a better world” as they mature. This fund will create opportunities for many more children and their families to participate in the school community.
HOPE WILLIAMS FUND
Established in memory of this revered Lower School teacher who came west to teach as MCDS moved to our Paradise Drive site in the school’s second year. Income is directed to indexed tuition.
KWENTYN WIGGINS FUND
Established to honor the memory of Kwentyn Wiggins (Class of 2016), income from this fund will support indexed tuition for students from Marin City, which helps create the inclusive community that Kwentyn so valued.
Faculty Support
BARBARA AND ERNEST MENDENHALL FUND
Established to honor the school’s founders whose dream launched MCDS in 1956, income from this fund is directed to faculty compensation.
BARRY MINEAH FUND
Established to honor this legendary founding music teacher, income from Barry’s fund supports faculty compensation.
EDward Sibley Fund
Established to honor this esteemed math teacher and Upper School Head, this fund supports faculty and staff professional development.
LIFT (Learn, Innovate, Formulate and Transform) Fund
hEstablished to honor Lucinda Lee Katz's commitment to lifelong learning, this fund supports faculty and staff professional growth through collaboration and research to positively impact students' experience and/or health of the MCDS community.
Program Support
THE MINDFULNESS FUND
Established to honor Janet Daijogo’s 36 years of exemplary teaching, income from the fund supports Energy Time/Mindfulness/Social Emotional Learning as core to our work with students.
Tim HALL FUND
Established to honor the memory of Tim Hall (Class of 1997), income from this fund supports the music program and development of young musicians.
Marin Country Day School is an incorporated not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), tax ID No. 94-1375791. Gifts made to the school are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by IRS regulations for charitable donations.