Working with students and teachers day after day, one can easily forget the hard fact that Proctor is a business, a 501(c)3 self-governing, not-for-profit corporation. The cost of delivering the programs and services we afford 358 students is just under 16 million dollars a year. 

 
Everyone agrees that tuition costs are staggering, yet the fact that applications are pouring in (it's January) reflects the fact that the demand for Proctor's services is perceived by many as a value.



The surprise (perhaps) is that tuition revenue does not cover operational expenses. To make ends meet, we rely on interest from investments of approximately one million dollars, and we count on the Development Office to raise $1,100,000 between July 1 and June 30.



This latter sum is referred to as the Annual Fund, and its acquisition is the business of a whole team in the Development Office. The success of the Annual Fund is their first focus. Their success makes everything possible.



Very few schools of our size raise an Annual Fund like Proctor's. This is testimony both to the quality of the experience the school provides and the love our constituencies feel for the school.



The school offers a cool option to parents, past parents, alumni and friends: you can choose where you want your gift to make a difference in the function of the school through the Family Of Funds: classrooms, environmental initiatives, athletics, arts, financial aid, buildings & grounds, experiential programs, a discretionary fund for the Head of School, Learning Skills, professional development and residential life. You tell us where you'd like it to make a difference, and we'll tell you how it made a difference, with details.



A new study by the  Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University-Purdue reveals that engaging "Generation X" (born '64-'80) who are approaching peak earning years, and "Millennials" (1980-) in volunteerism and other connections is timely. This is good news for Proctor: We don't having much trouble engaging volunteerism by young graduates. The Landers brothers pulled off a lacrosse clinic this week.

 

US Olympic ski jumper Carl Van Loan was back recently for a cross-country clinic, and the support of young alumni is inspirational to all of us who are dedicating our professional lives to Proctor.

 

More artists, athletes and scholars are returning to volunteer time, and more young alumni are organizing class initiatives: a fund-raiser to honor a revered teacher; a Reunion to remember on June 11.

Annual Giving strives to retain support over years. If you give $25 or $100 when you're in college, perhaps you'll be supporting at a greater level when you're in your 30s and beyond. To date, we are tracking ahead of last year's fabulous total ($1,000,000,) with $685,280 from 452 donors at January 24. Every gift to the Family of Funds is an immediate expression of support of the school we love. It's that simple.