Nueva is a leading independent school for high-ability learners. According to Dr. Linda Silverman, director of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development, and its subsidiary, the Gifted Development Center, “The Nueva School enjoys the reputation of being the best school for the gifted in the country.” In order to develop and deliver this nationally recognized education to your children, Nueva, like most independent schools, depends on the charitable support of parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, and friends. Tuition and other sources of operating funds do not entirely fund Nueva’s operations (see below). According to National Association of Independent Schools statistics, tuition and other operating funds cover an average of eighty percent of day schools’ operations. The remainder is supplied through the personal philanthropy of parent communities and other constituencies such as parents of alumni, alumni, grandparents of current students, friends, faculty, and staff. 

The largest part of Nueva’s operating budget is covered by tuition. While one might expect that tuition would cover all of the operating expenses, it does not. This is also the case at other independent schools in the area and around the country. The school deliberately sets tuition below full cost in order to keep the school more affordable to a wider range of students and to provide community members with opportunities to support the school with tax-deductible, philanthropic commitments. As a community, we believe this practice is conducive to building the type of inclusive school we all wish to have. Again, this practice is typical of most independent schools. In fiscal year 2017, the Nueva community contributed nearly $4.6 million to the school's greatest institutional needs through the Nueva Fund and the Benefit Auction ($3.6 million from the Nueva Fund and over $1 million net from the Benefit Auction).

Every year, funds raised for the school account for approximately fifteen to sixteen percent of the school’s operating budget. This year, tuition, fees, and other income (for example, summer camps) will cover only 85% of the actual operating costs. Fundraising efforts supply the remainder and represent the second largest revenue source at Nueva.

Additionally, fundraising for endowment enables the school to build a sizable endowment that then supports annual operations through a draw from investment gains, leaving the principle untouched. Ultimately, endowment funds live in perpetuity, providing institutional strength that enables Nueva to continue being bold.

As is typical of independent schools, Nueva relies mostly on gifts from individuals within its constituency: parents of current students, parents of alumni, alumni, grandparents of current students, friends, faculty, and staff. Occasionally, the school also requests grants from charitable foundations and corporations. If you are aware of any foundations or corporations that might donate to Nueva, please notify the Development Office.  However, as an independent school, Nueva is not eligible for most forms of foundation and corporate support (except for corporate matching gift programs).

All levels of giving are sought by the Nueva Fund, and every gift helps the school fulfill its mission. We urge you to consider your gift in light of your personal circumstances and your family’s total philanthropic plan for the year. Typically, the family participation rate for the Nueva Fund is between ninety-five and one hundred percent. We strive for one hundred percent parent participation because it is a strong sign of approval of the school’s mission and educational philosophy — a factor that charitable foundations closely consider when deciding which organizations to support. While all gift amounts are appreciated, leadership gifts begin at the Director's Circle level.

Nueva is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation. As a result, all gifts to the school are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Please consult with your tax advisor before making your gift, especially if you are giving securities or other non-cash gifts. If the claimed deduction of a gift-in-kind exceeds $5,000 (whether it is a single gift-in-kind or a series of gifts-in kind), an appraisal of the item(s) must be secured from an approved, independent appraiser, and IRS Form 8283 (which can be downloaded from the IRS or obtained from your professional tax advisor) must be completed and submitted with your tax return.

All gifts made to Nueva are recognized in our annual report. Gifts are listed by recognition level and also by grade levels. Families whose total lifetime giving  exceeds $250,000 will be included on our Life Giving list. In addition to recognition, donors will receive a formal acknowledgment letter that includes gift details that can be shared with your tax preparer for contributions that qualify for deduction.   

Nueva’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30. 

The school’s annual giving program is called the Nueva Fund. The campaign kicks off each fall and most of the pledges and gifts are received between October and December. We are proud of Nueva’s tradition of providing a personal gift request to every family at the school. Such requests are made mostly by Nueva parent volunteers via letters, calls, and/or emails.

Many Nueva community members are employed by corporations with programs that will match their employees’ philanthropic gifts to independent schools like Nueva. If you work for a company with a matching gift program, please consider enhancing your annual commitment to the Nueva School by filling out the necessary paperwork and submitting it to the Development Office. Many employers have adopted the use of online forms to help expedite your matching gift. See if your employer will match your donation.

Yes – please fill out the pledge form on our site.

Nueva provides a vast number of ways that donors can make gifts or fulfill pledges. Visit Ways to Give to learn more or initiate a gift or pledge fulfillment. 

Volunteers are essential to all school operations, and especially to philanthropy at Nueva. Some individuals prefer to help with events, the Benefit Auction, mailings, and office operations, while others agree to request gifts from their peers. The Advancement Office seeks parents to become involved with the Nueva Fund as annual solicitors, Benefit Auction committee chairs, writers and archivists for school communications, and event planners for advancement and alumni/grandparent relations activities. If you are interested in volunteering for any of the activities conducted by the Development Office, please contact us at development@nuevaschool.org.
 

While fall is dedicated to the Nueva Fund, springtime is focused on the Be a Maverick Benefit. In addition to being a fun-filled evening that brings together Nueva community members, the benefit raises significant funds for financial assistance. In order to encourage participation and build excitement, an online auction focused on community building takes place the week leading up to the event.

In addition to the Nueva Fund and the benefit, we periodically seek financial support for significant capital projects and for our endowment. Capital campaigns are investments in the school’s future: they make bold visions of what Nueva can be. And by investing in the future, they serve generations of students to come.
 
Finally, there may be other events or activities to raise funds for curricular programs, plays, music performances, or athletic teams. In addition, Nueva has a golf tournament each fall, hosts a book fair, and offers a variety of merchant programs such as eScrip.

It is a good idea to consider the range of fundraising activities you may be asked to support in planning your overall annual philanthropic commitment to Nueva.

Please note: While gifts in support of the Benefit, Nueva Cup Golf Tournament, and other classroom and co-curricular activities are greatly appreciated by the school, these gifts do not count toward participation in the Nueva Fund.