What is the common good fund?
What is the common good fund?
GSMS’s 11-week annual giving campaign at the start of the school year is the most crucial fundraiser for GSMS. Proceeds of the annual giving campaign go towards the Common Good Fund, which benefits every member of the Good Shepherd community. GSMS designed this fund to support the operating budget, helping it fund daily operations and accomplish immediate campus improvements and program updates.
In the past, this fund has been referred to as the annual fund. Functionally, the Common Good Fund and the annual fund are the same; however, this year, the annual fund was rebranded to better reflect Good Shepherd’s ethos of generosity. GSMS encourages its community to give during the annual giving season and year-round as they feel called.
The Good Shepherd community is incredibly generous. Last year, the average family gift was $980; 100% of our Board of Directors and 87% of school staff members contributed to fundraising efforts. Good Shepherd’s continued goal each year is to achieve 100% participation from our community. The fundraising team invites all families, staff, board members, and GSMS friends to consider a meaningful gift.
Every gift, regardless of size, directly supports the following:
- Well-designed and age-appropriate Montessori materials.
- Montessori faculty and staff training.
- Spaces that honor the Montessori goal of providing beautifully prepared environments.
- Spiritual formation through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
- Experiences that enrich the student experience like field trips, music and art instruction, place-based education projects, physical expression opportunities, and a growing library.
Our community’s continued faith and generosity allow it to remain steadfast in its vision, mission, and values. We are grateful for this tangible commitment to Good Shepherd! Thank you.
When should I give?
When should I give?
We aim to have 100% of the GSMS community make a gift between the first day of school and December 1, 2023.
If your family cannot give during this period, please consider making a pledge. Pledges will be due June 15, 2024. Completing the annual campaign before winter break gives Good Shepherd a solid financial footing for the remainder of the school year and allows the admin and development team to shift focus to other fundraising priorities in the spring.
Although the official drive runs for approximately eleven weeks, families and friends can contribute to the Common Good Fund all year or become sustaining benefactors by signing up for recurrent giving.
Why give when I already pay tuition?
Why give when I already pay tuition?
Great question!
Since the beginning, Good Shepherd has been blessed by a community that shares its vision for a joyful Montessori education rooted in peacemaking. When Dan Driscoll and Felicia Leon-Driscoll opened the doors to Good Shepherd Montessori School in 2002, they firmly believed in maintaining affordable tuition for all families who wished to send their children to Good Shepherd. Those early values hold true today. If GSMS did not raise yearly funds to support the school’s daily operations, it would need to significantly increase tuition, creating a barrier for those who could not afford it.
Please know that participation in the annual giving campaign for the Common Good Fund matters far more than the size of your gift. Good Shepherd hopes to engage 100% of its community in giving because it sends the critical message that we believe in our school and its mission. This message is essential to prospective donors like foundations, grant-makers, and other donors who choose to make significant leadership gifts to GSMS.
Good Shepherd Montessori School has thrived because of its history of generous community giving. Let’s keep this tradition strong!
What is the common good fund?
GSMS’s 11-week annual giving campaign at the start of the school year is the most crucial fundraiser for GSMS. The proceeds go towards the Common Good Fund, which benefits every member of the Good Shepherd community. GSMS designed this fund to support the operating budget, helping fund daily operations and accomplish immediate campus improvements and program updates.
We invite you to learn more about the Common Good Fund and giving to GSMS through the FAQs.
Please reach out to Director of Development Sarah Dozier if you would like to talk about the best way for you to support GSMS.
Is the common good fund new?
No. In the past, the Common Good Fund has been referred to as the annual fund. Functionally, the Common Good Fund and the annual fund are the same; however, this year, the annual fund was rebranded to better reflect Good Shepherd’s ethos of generosity. GSMS encourages its community to give during the annual giving season and year-round as they feel called.
How much should I give?
Last year, the average family gift was $980; 100% of our Board of Directors and 87% of school staff members contributed to fundraising efforts. Good Shepherd’s continued goal each year is to achieve 100% participation from our community. The fundraising team invites all families, staff, board members, and GSMS friends to consider a meaningful gift.
Please know that participation in the annual giving campaign for the Common Good Fund matters far more than the size of your gift. Good Shepherd hopes to engage 100% of its community in giving because it sends the critical message that we believe in our school and its mission. This message is essential to prospective donors like foundations, grant-makers, and other donors who choose to make significant leadership gifts to GSMS.
Good Shepherd Montessori School has thrived because of its history of generous community giving. Let’s keep this tradition strong!
What is the common good fund?
GSMS’s 11-week annual giving campaign at the start of the school year is the most crucial fundraiser for GSMS. The proceeds go towards the Common Good Fund, which benefits every member of the Good Shepherd community. GSMS designed this fund to support the operating budget, helping fund daily operations and accomplish immediate campus improvements and program updates.
We invite you to learn more about the Common Good Fund and giving to GSMS through the FAQs.
Please reach out to Director of Development Sarah Dozier if you would like to talk about the best way for you to support GSMS.