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Q: What is the Annual Fund?

A: It’s an annual campaign that asks parents, grandparents, and special friends, to help close Oak Grove’s funding gap of 20%.  One hundred percent of your gift goes towards the school’s operating costs.

Q:  Why doesn’t tuition cover the operating costs of the School?

A: The School tries to keep tuition as affordable as possible so we need an annual fund to cover what tuition can’t.  Oak Grove School is intentionally small in order to fulfill its mission.  This means a low student to teacher ratio (most classes are 12 to 1).  That makes the school experience first rate for our students, but it also increases costs.  In order to maintain socio-economic diversity as well as retain quality faculty, the school offers a limited amount of financial aid to families in need as well as tuition remission to full-time faculty.  Finally, students and families at Oak Grove enjoy an incredible facility which includes natural wood buildings and a beautiful 150 acre campus.   Both immediate and long term maintenance of the campus also add to the expenses of the school. 

Q: Why doesn’t Oak Grove just raise the tuition to cover everything?
A: Tuition would increase to a level that would be prohibitive to a large number of families, thereby shrinking the school’s enrollment and increasing the per student cost even further.  Gifts to the annual fund are an opportunity for families to give according to their ability and these gifts are fully tax deductible.  By having a funding “gap” we can involve others in helping the school, and getting to know it through their role as donors and friends.

Q:  What size gift is expected?

A: That’s a very personal decision.  In general it helps if families regard the school as one of their top charitable organizations to support and give accordingly.  

Remember, your gift to the Annual Fund is tax deductible so your taxable base goes down.  You can make your gift in installments if you like, by making a pledge and making payments throughout the school year, unless you want your full tax deduction by December 31st.

Q: What if I can only give a modest amount?

A: We’re aiming for 100% parent participation, so a gift in any amount is welcome.  Part of the reason is that we are applying for grants this year, and grantors want to know what the level of support is from the school’s community.  It’s encouraging that 100% of our faculty, staff, and Oak Grove school board also contribute to the Annual Fund. 

Making a gift is as easy as clicking on the “Donate” button above.  Whatever you can give, we’ll be that much closer to being fully funded for the year. 

More questions?  Please call any time.

Jodi Grass
Development Director Oak Grove School
Ph: 805-646-8236, X. 110
Email: jodigrass@oakgroveschool.com