
We are partners in potential.
Our donors have proven time and again that everything is possible at SLS. Our goal is big: the future success of generations of students. Your gift is your belief in an SLS education and in the promise of our students.
Investing in Purpose
The Hilltop is strengthened each year by our dedicated families, alumni, grandparents, faculty, and friends. Together, you help SLS remain vibrant and growing. We invite you to explore the many ways to give.
SLS Fund
The SLS Fund (formerly the Annual Fund) is the heart and soul of our fundraising efforts, bridging the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a student’s education.
Your participation matters.
The SLS Fund succeeds only as a collective effort; every gift, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference. Even a small increase in the percentage of participation or the average size of a gift can have a big impact on our success.
Your gift makes a difference by supporting:
- competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain the best faculty
- classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art educational tools from projection systems to language lab materials
- community service initiatives and programs
- professional development and leadership opportunities
- our beautiful campus and facilities
In addition, outside funding sources look closely at our alumni and parent participation when reviewing our grant proposals.
Our superb faculty, innovative programs, caring community, and remarkable range of opportunities in athletics and the arts would not be possible without the generous support of our alumni, parents, faculty, and grandparents.
Senior Gift
The Senior Gift is an SLS tradition providing parents a meaningful opportunity to honor their graduating seniors with a legacy gift to the School.
Parents of the graduating class join together to honor their graduating seniors with a unique and valuable legacy gift to the School. We are incredibly grateful to the senior parents of past classes for the generous gifts that have established endowments, contributed to program growth, and provided funding for new facilities—each gift benefiting future generations of SLS students.
Endowed Funds
Endowed funds provide dependable annual income for SLS. Some funds are unrestricted, others support specific student, faculty, or programming initiatives. Earned interest supports the operating budget and helps to minimize tuition increases.
We invite you to review SLS’ endowed funds and hope you will consider contributing to an existing fund or establishing a new one. For more information on establishing an endowment, please contact the Development Office at 203-801-4857 or [email protected].
- General Endowment Fund - Established in 1980, the interest from this fund provides unrestricted funding to the school.
- Unrestricted Board Endowment Fund - Established in 2007, the income from this quasi-endowment provides unrestricted support to the school’s operating budget while allowing for flexibility in the future.
- Civil Discourse Endowed Fund - Established in 2020 through a gift from Jennifer and Graham Foster, the Civil Discourse Endowed Fund permanently established The Civil Discourse Speaker Series, which allows SLS students and community to be exposed to the highest quality lessons in civil discourse. The income from this fund supports the costs associated with bringing together two parties or sets of experts in their respective fields to publicly discuss an issue that has two clearly articulated sides.
- Class of 2012 Center for Leadership Speaker Series Endowed Fund - Established as a legacy gift by the families of the Class of 2012, this endowment helps to underwrite the Center for Leadership’s speaker series program and support the Center for Leadership’s mission to develop every SLS student’s unique ability to lead and make a difference.
- Class of 2013 Student Life Endowed Fund - Established as a legacy gift by the families of the Class of 2013 to support activities related to student life and the promotion of school community and school spirit.
- S. Philip Klein Emerging Leader Award Endowed Fund - Established in 2012 this award is presented annually to a 9th or 10th grader who possesses good character, has strong leadership potential, and who wants to take on the personal challenge of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound program.
- Parsons Family Women & Leadership Endowment Fund - Established in 2013 to support initiatives related to women and leadership, including but not limited to program/conference support, individual awards, and/or scholarships for female students with leadership potential.
- Richard J. Pedrick Endowed Memorial Fund - Established in 1995 in memory of past parent and former Trustee, Dick Pedrick, "to perpetuate, as a living memory, all that Dick Pedrick stood for." The Richard J. Pedrick award is awarded annually to a graduating senior who exemplifies leadership, dedication, intelligence, athletic participation, good sportsmanship, and love for their fellow human beings.
- Social Justice Design-Based Learning Fund - Social justice-focused, design-based learning opportunities are an essential element of an SLS education. Established in 2020, income from the Social Justice Design-Based Learning Fund will be used to meet the costs associated with existing programs, such as J-Term and Community Service programs, or to launch new project-based learning initiatives with a social justice or community service focus.
- Karen E. Wiegman ’92 Award Endowed Fund - Established in 2005 to provide an annual award to a senior who has shown the most growth over their years at SLS. This growth is marked by social connections, academic discovery, and personal maturation.
- The Teddy Balkind Memorial Scholarship Fund - This need-based, financial aid scholarship, established in loving memory of Teddy Balkind '24, will be awarded to an incoming SLS student who is remarkably kind and joyful and who pursues a personal interest with uncommon passion.
- Class of 2021 Experience Fund - Established as a legacy gift by the families of the Class of 2021 to allow students to participate in grade- and class-level trips, special athletic events, performing arts opportunities, and global exchange trips. The fund also helps families afford books, transportation fees, and other costs beyond tuition.
- Mark Davis Impact Fund - Established in 2022 in honor of retiring Headmaster Emeritus Mark Davis, this fund for financial aid is a tribute to Mark Davis’s dual passions for student access to education and institutional sustainability.
- Duncan Edwards Waterside School Scholarship Fund - Established in 2013 to provide scholarship awards to outstanding students coming from the Waterside School in Stamford, CT.
- E.E. Ford Foundation Fund for Minority Scholarships - Established in 1997 to provide need-based scholarships for minority students, grades 9-12.
- The Hobson Family Endowed Scholarship Fund - The Hobson Family Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student from a Hispanic/Latino/Latina background with demonstrated financial need.
- McIntire Family College Opportunity Fund - Established in 2012 in honor of Gavin McIntire ’08, this endowment provides financial aid for juniors and seniors, to address college search-related expenses, so that they may discover and improve their chances of attending schools that will provide rewarding individual college experiences.
- The Orlich Family "360" Endowed Fund - The Orlich Family "360" Endowed Fund was established in 2019 to help fund non-tuition essentials so that students on financial aid will have access to the full SLS experience, both in and out of the classroom.
- George E. Stevens Horizons Prize Endowment - Established in 2010 to provide full scholarship support for a Horizons student for up to four years of high school. The prize recognizes students who love learning, demonstrate good character, pursue excellence, and embrace community.
- Richard Whitcomb Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established in 2003, in honor of beloved Headmaster Emeritus, Dick Whitcomb, the Whitcomb Scholarship provides need-based scholarships for students based on their ability to make a major contribution to the School and who personify former Headmaster Dick Whitcomb's passion for academic curiosity, strength of character, and co-curricular involvement.
- Chadwick Family Faculty Development Endowed Fund - Established in 2020, the Chadwick Family Faculty Development Fund supports the pursuit of projects that advance teaching and learning at SLS while enabling faculty to pursue areas of professional interest that are fulfilling to them and help them grow as professionals. Projects that will be funded will be beyond the scope of what is currently funded by the school’s professional development budget.
- China Care Endowed Chair for Chinese Language Education - Established in 2006 to fund a Chinese language instructor who will also be the coordinator of the SLS China Care Club, a student organization which will help further the mission of China Care.
- Tracy B. Duncan Innovation Award - The Tracy B. Duncan Innovation Award quasi-endowment provides awards to innovative members of the SLS community whose work has made a significant impact on the student experience and in the development of a culture of innovation at our school.
- Faculty Development Endowment - Established in 2016 as part of the Final Phase of the Momentum Campaign, the Faculty Development Endowment supports well-established faculty members in their desire to take on high-level, long-term professional development projects that are ambitious in scope and ultimately advance teaching and learning at SLS.
- Goldstone Faculty Enrichment “Dream Grant” Endowed Fund - Established in 2011, this fund provides grants to teachers and administrators to pursue personally rewarding experiences, be it travel, summer study, or the opportunity to pursue a passion.
- Head of School Discretionary Endowment Fund - Established in 2005 to fund projects determined by the Head of School.
- The Dr. Kidd Excellence in Teaching Award and Endowment for Faculty - The Dr. Kidd Excellence in Teaching Award is given to a full-time teacher who exemplifies the ideals of SLS through excellence in the classroom, service to the total School community, and dedication to the well-being and growth of SLS students.
- Kontulis Family Faculty Chair - An endowed chair is the highest honor SLS can bestow on a faculty member. Established by the Kontulis Family in 2016, this rotating endowed chair helps SLS to recognize, retain, and inspire top teaching talent. Chairholders serve a two-year appointment and receive a stipend to further a project of their choice.
- Edward Scovner Excellence in Middle School Teaching Award Fund - Established in 2013 by the Royce Family to support an award to a middle school teacher who has most inspired student to fulfill their individual potentials through her/his commitment, deep affection for students, and most importantly, distinctive style and approach to teaching.
- The Tyler Family Endowed Chair for the Performing Arts - An Endowed Chair is the highest honor SLS can bestow on a faculty member. Established in 2019 by the Tyler Family, The Tyler Family Endowed Chair for the Performing Arts supports the salary of the director of the theater arts program and/or the theater arts program.
Make a Gift or Fulfill a Pledge
SLS thrives because of a generous, mission-driven community. Give today and be a part of something lasting.
Make a Gift Online Fulfill a Pledge
Giving Levels and Donor Recognition
Legacy Circle: $100,000+
Visionary Circle: $50,000-$99,999
Head of School Circle: $25,000-$49,999
Founders: $15,000-$24,999
Leaders: $10,000-$14,999
Patrons: $5,000-$9,999
Benefactors: $2,500-$4,999
Friends: $1,000-$2,499
Head of School Circle
Recognizes donors who contribute $25,000 or more in a fiscal year
1928 Society
Recognizes donors who have made gifts for five or more consecutive years
Alumni Leadership Society
Recognizes alumni who contribute $1,000 or more in the fiscal year, make their first gift, increase their gift, or volunteer during the fiscal year
Parents of Alumni Leadership Society
Recognizes parents of alumni who contribute $1,000 or more in the fiscal year
Hilltop Society
Recognizes donors who have made a commitment to support SLS through their will, trust, or estate
Ways to Give & Frequently Asked Questions
There are a variety of ways to give to SLS. Learn how.
Venmo
Simply click this link.
Credit Card Gifts
Gifts can be made securely online by clicking “Make a Gift”, or calling 203-801-4812. St. Luke’s accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
By Mail: Gifts of Cash/Check
Gifts made by cash or check should be made payable to St. Luke’s School and mailed to:
Development Office
St. Luke’s School
377 North Wilton Road
New Canaan, CT 06840
If you are giving to a specific fund, please include a note or write your specific gift intention in the check memo.
Gifts of Securities
To make a gift of stock or securities, please use the information in the Gifts of Securities Form. Donors are advised to consult with their own legal, tax, and estate planning professionals when considering gifts other than cash.
Wire Transfers
To electronically transfer funds please use the following information:
Bank: TD Bank, N.A.
ABA#: 011103093
Account: 4375564478
Account Name: St. Luke’s Foundation, Inc.
Donor-Advised Funds
St. Luke’s gladly accepts gifts from Donor Advised Funds and family foundations. In fact, if your DAF is with Fidelity, Schwab or Mellon, you can initiate your gift directly by clicking here. Otherwise, please contact us for more information.
Workplace Payroll Deduction
Every company has a slightly different process for signing up to donate through payroll. Contact your human resources department for more information.
Make a Pledge
A pledge demonstrates your intention to make a gift. This gift may then be fulfilled in multiple installments or in full at a later date. Pledging an amount and paying it over time may enable you to increase the size of your donation.
To make a pledge, please email Cindy Dill, Annual Giving Director, or call (203) 801-4859.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Many companies offer programs that “match” charitable contributions made by employees, employee’s spouses, or retirees. It’s a simple way to increase, if not double, the impact of your gift to St. Luke’s School. To find out if your company will match your gift to St. Luke’s, please click here or consult your human resources department.
Planned Giving
Making a bequest to St. Luke’s involves no immediate loss of capital or income, and may provide tax benefits to one’s heirs. To learn more please visit the Planned Giving pages on our website. Donors are advised to consult with their own legal, tax, and estate planning professionals when considering gifts other than cash.
Matching Gifts
Many companies offer programs that will "match" charitable contributions made by their employees, directors, employee's spouses, or retirees. Corporate gift matching can sometimes double a donation to St. Luke's School, extending the benefits that our students receive through your generosity.
To find out if your company will match your gift to SLS, please use the tool below or consult your human resources department.
St. Luke’s School is a not-for-profit, 501c(3) organization. As such, St. Luke’s depends on charitable donations to address the difference between tuition revenue and the actual cost of operating the school.
Your donations directly benefit St. Luke’s by providing funds to offer better compensation packages to teachers, purchase equipment and maintain facilities, and attract a diverse student body. In aggregate, strong participation among families signifies support for the work of the faculty and is an important benchmark to foundations that fund independent school programs and to prospective families looking at St. Luke’s School. When you consider your charitable giving this year, we hope you will consider St. Luke’s to be among your giving priorities.
The Development Office accepts cash, checks, stock and wire transfers, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express - please see our complete list of giving options above. For your convenience, you may make your gift online, or feel free to get in touch using the information below.
SLS Fund (formerly known as the Annual Fund)/General Development - Peter Hennessy, Director of Individual Giving, (203) 801-4968, [email protected].
All gifts for which you do not receive goods or services are tax-deductible. St. Luke's Fund (formerly known as the Annual Fund), Senior Gift, Endowed Funds, and scholarship donations are fully tax-deductible.
We encourage you to give a gift that is meaningful to you, reflects your enthusiasm for SLS, and works for your family. Since families have different financial situations, the amounts differ. All gifts are welcome and needed.
When you consider making a gift to St. Luke's, we hope you will first consider supporting The St. Luke's Fund (formerly known as the Annual Fund), which provides critical support to our School's operating budget and immediate funding to our students and faculty. Last year, 97% of parents and 100% of Trustees made contributions to the St. Luke's Fund, along with members of our alumni, past parents, and grandparents.
There may be other fundraising initiatives during the year. We hope you choose to contribute to these efforts above & beyond your contribution to The St. Luke's Fund.
Yes. Please let us know that your company makes matching gifts and we will help expedite the process. To find out if your company will match your gift, you can check above.
In order for St. Luke’s to thrive families contribute with their hands, hearts, and financial resources to the extent made possible by other personal and financial commitments. Parents who volunteer their time are vital to the success of the school, and because of their close involvement in the school, may have an even great appreciation of the goals we are trying to reach. We ask our volunteers to support those goals through charitable giving.
As an alumnus, you are already committed to St. Luke’s mission of creating lifelong learners and socially responsible citizens. As a student, you benefited from the generosity of donors who stepped forward to address the needs and intiatives of your generation. Your gift will do the same for the current generation of St. Luke’s students.
The sustainability of St. Luke’s school depends on the generosity and involvement of St. Luke’s Alumni.
The Development Office handles fundraising for school operations (Annual Fund and scholarships), capital projects (new and renovated facilities) and endowment. The Parents’ Association handles fundraising for additional student enrichment, community-building social activities, and specific initiatives determined by the School and the Parents' Association. The Development Office and the Parents’ Association closely coordinate activities.
Simply stated, the St. Luke's Fund (formerly known as the Annual Fund) provides “money to live by,” and a Capital Campaign provides “money to grow by.” The St. Luke's Fund is an ongoing effort that’s integral to our core operations and is designed to offset annual operating expenses. Capital Campaigns are intensive, multi-year fundraising efforts to secure support for special initiatives, such as facility enhancements, endowments, and program development. It is our hope that parents will support the St. Luke's Fund, Parent Association initiatives, and capital efforts to the best of their ability.
St. Luke’s School likes to say thank you by recognizing your contribution in our Giving Report and occasionally on our website. Donors may choose to be listed as “anonymous.”