FAQs

The development office manages many activities, such as charitable giving, communications and publications, special events, and alumni relations. Most importantly, staff encourages families to become involved in the life of the school by volunteering their time and talents while connecting with fellow parents!

SCDS embraces a culture of contribution and gifts of time, talent, and treasure are equally valued. The Annual Fund and auction support immediate operational needs and bring our community together through a combination of volunteerism, philanthropic support, and fun. Support of the SCDS Infinity Fund Endowment, legacy giving, and/or capital campaigns, can be more cyclical in nature — depending on one’s capacity and current needs of the school — but have a profound impact on generations to come. 

More often than not, most gifts fall within SCDS’s key channels of charitable giving. However, from time to time there may be a gift that doesn’t fit one particular area. Please contact the development team if you have a question you'd like to explore, and they will let you know if your vision is in alignment with the school’s current strategic objectives.

Historically, SCDS's auction and Annual Fund combined have provided approximately 11% of support toward the annual operating budget. While they are both fundraisers, the auction has an additional purpose: to bring the SCDS community together for an evening of fun. Parent participation in both the Annual Fund and auction is robust.

Simply put, an endowment is a perennial account prudently invested to preserve the principal (the gift), while the earnings are used to support goals and activities.

A school is a labor-intensive institution. SCDS has a specific mission, small class sizes, and a robust yet challenging curriculum. Tuition must increase annually to cover the cost of such a quality education. A significant endowment can help mitigate our school’s overreliance on tuition which currently comprises over 90% of our operating revenue. An endowment — like the SCDS Infinity Fund —provides a secure source of revenue, added financial flexibility, and long-term fiduciary health. In addition, as an independent school which neither solicits nor accepts government support, an endowment helps ensure SCDS’s independence and future. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) reports that schools of SCDS’s age and enrollment in the west have average endowments of $8.7 million.

SCDS operates annually with a balanced budget thanks to the tax-exempt gift support of the Annual Fund and auction. However, tuition and revenue from the Annual Fund and auction focus only on year-to-year budgets, expenses, and costs. In the long-term, as tuition continues to climb, an SCDS education may not be affordable for families with mission-appropriate students. The SCDS Infinity Fund provides an additional sustainable source of revenue for our school for perpetuity. 

There are many ways you can make a gift to SCDS:

• Call: 206-691-2620
• Check: Make out a check, payable to SCDS, and mail to:
  2619 4th Avenue N
  Seattle, WA 98109
  Please make sure to note the purpose of the gift in the comments field.
• Credit card/online: You can make a gift to donate via credit card or make a pledge (noting that we ask donors to fulfill pledges by June 30 each year). Both Visa and MC are accepted forms of payment.
• Securities Transfer: Let us know the type of shares and the date of your transfer request, and give your broker the following details about the SCDS account:

  US Bancorp Investments
  DTC 0280
  Account Name: Seattle Country Day School
  Account Number: 138585921

  Download the stock contribution form here.
  If you would like to submit a stock contribution form, please email the development office.  

Seattle Country Day School is a registered 501(c)(3); tax ID #91-0777610.

Gifts to SCDS’s Annual Fund range from $5 to $15,000+. The average gift to last year’s Annual Fund was $1,200. Gifts of all amounts are very much appreciated. 

Every family individually determines the right amount to contribute. Gifts to the Auction, Infinity Fund Endowment, and bequests can vary greatly. Gifts to the Annual Fund have the following recognized levels:

Innovator: $15,000+*
Visionary: $10,000 to $14,999*
Benefactor: $5,000 to $9,999*
Patron: $3,000 to $4,999*
Scholar: $1,000 to $2,999
Wildcat: up to $999

*Leadership-level giving

A wonderful way to stretch the impact of your gift is via your company’s matching gift program. Many companies will not only match your gifts dollar-for-dollar, but also recognize your volunteer hours! You can view examples of a few companies that have generously given back to SCDS through matching funds. You may obtain the necessary matching forms from your employer and, once your request is submitted, SCDS will confirm the gift. Questions about what qualifies as a matching gift? Contact the development office. 

Gifts to SCDS are acknowledged each year in the school's Annual Report. SCDS recognizes gifts by their level; the exact dollar amount of a gift is not made available publicly. Donors may choose to remain anonymous by selecting this option when they make a gift.