Making Exceptional Possible

The Annual Fund First

The Annual Fund First (AFF) is the cornerstone of Pinewood's philanthropic efforts. The AFF campaign is the most critical source of immediately available flexible funds and is crucial to the financial health of our school.

Give to Pinewood

Pinewood-FinancialOverview-2024v01 (PDF)

Why is the Annual Fund Important?

Pinewood is a nonprofit, independent K-12 school with 600 students. Strong enrollment and a robust pipeline of future applicants ensures that Pinewood is financially secure with tuition as the main source of revenue.

However, tuition alone is not enough. Pinewood, like all other independent schools, funds part of our budget through tax-deductible donations. This happens for three main reasons:

Exceptional Programming: tuition covers the base cost of a Pinewood education; money raised through the Annual Fund directly supports the cutting-edge program expansions and enhancements that propel our students towards new opportunities.
A Competitive Edge: Allows us to attract the best students, while staying competitive with our peer schools from a cost perspective. Pinewood depends on the Annual Fund for just 7% of the annual operating budget.
Equitable Contributions: Tax deductible donations allow families to contribute at a level that makes the most sense for their financial situation. We ask that all Pinewood families participate by donating to the Annual Fund.

Your Impact

The funds raised from the Annual Fund First enable Pinewood to deliver on our promise to provide a transformative experience for every student. By supporting this campaign, you help us empower students through dynamic education, create mission-driven programs and spaces, and attract and retain world-class faculty who inspire excellence.

Empowering Every Student: Transformative Education at Pinewood

Your support fuels engaging academics, arts, and athletics, ensuring each student thrives in a dynamic learning environment.

Shaping Our Future: Mission-Driven Programs and Spaces

Contributions help create innovative programs and spaces that reflect our commitment to student success.

Investing in Excellence: Recruiting and Retaining World-Class Faculty

Your generosity enables us to attract and keep exceptional educators who inspire and guide our students every day.

Ways to Give Financially

Give Online

Give by Check

Gifts of Securities (Stock)

A gift of long-term, appreciated securities helps save you taxes twice. Such a gift provides an income tax deduction and a capital gains tax savings. It is often the best asset to give. For information on how to make a stock gift, contact the Development Office, via email or 650-209-3041, or ask your broker to contact:

Susan Spaugh
Morgan Stanley
415-984-6615
susan.f.spaugh@morganstanley.com

DTC # 0015
Acct # 164-070998-089
For A/C: Creative Center of Los Altos dba Pinewood School
Tax payer ID # 94-1527492

In-Kind Gifts

Matching Gifts

Many employers participate in a matching gifts program as an employee benefit. Matching gifts allow you to double or triple your contributions to the school. Please contact your Human Resources Department for guidelines and forms. You will be recognized by Pinewood School for the sum total of your family's gift AND any corporate match given in your name.

Have Your Gift Matched for Pinewood

Please note: When donating to Pinewood or requesting a match through your employer, search for "Creative Center of Los Altos dba Pinewood School", tax payer ID# 94-1527492.

Donor-Advised Funds

Other Ways to Gift

In addition to gifts of cash or securities, there are a variety of other gift vehicles that enable donors to make larger gifts than would otherwise be possible. Such gifts often generate substantial tax savings and can result in increased income as well. Each of these gifts must be tailored to a donor’s specific situation. Please feel free to call the Development Office at 650-209-3041 for more information, as well as consulting with your attorney and other advisors.

Gifts of Real Estate or Appreciated Property

Many donors find it attractive to give appreciated property—homes, other types of real estate, businesses, personal property, etc.—because of the potential tax benefits.

Bequests

The simplest way for donors to arrange for a gift from their estate is to include a bequest provision to Pinewood School in their will.

Life Income Plans

These gift plans allow donors to give assets to Pinewood School while retaining an income for themselves or others. In addition to providing income (often tax-free), these gifts offer a number of tax and other advantages.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Many people own some form of life insurance that was purchased to provide protection that is no longer needed, even though the policy is still in force and may have significant cash value. Such policies can form the basis of a gift to Pinewood School.

Giving Levels

Visionary $100,000+
Founder $50,000–$99,999
Leader $25,000–$49,999
Benefactor $15,000–$24,999
Patron $10,000–$14,999
Sponsor $5,000–$9,999
Partner $2,500–$4,999
Evergreen $1,500–$2,499
Panther $1–$1,499

Donor Recognition

President's Circle

$2,500+ levels

Donors at the President’s Circle level, with gifts of $2500+, are invited to the President’s Circle Reception in the fall of the following year.

Ad Astra Society

$10k+ levels

Donors at the Ad Astra Society level, with gifts of $10,000+, are invited to the Ad Astra Society Reception in fall of the following year.

Annual Fund First FAQs

Who participates in the Annual Fund First?

Why not raise tuition to cover all costs?

Pinewood is committed to ensuring that a Pinewood education remains accessible to all qualified students. Fundraising through the Annual Fund First helps us keep tuition at a rate that is competitive with our peers and supports an inclusive community. It also allows families to make a tax-deductible contribution to defray the actual cost of a Pinewood education – charging the full cost of tuition would not provide this opportunity.

How much should I give?

Every family at Pinewood is encouraged to participate in the Annual Fund First (AFF) in a way that is meaningful to them. Every gift, whether large or small, makes the difference. Pinewood strives for participation from all current parents, trustees, faculty, and staff. Leadership giving starts at $2,500 and is one of the ways to make a significant impact on the daily experience of all Pinewood students. Gifts to the AFF range from $100-$100K. We hope that every family will give at a level commensurate with their financial ability. Every gift, no matter the size, is important in achieving our goal.

When will I be asked?

The Annual Fund First Campaign runs from September 22nd to December 31st. In the fall, you will receive a letter requesting your support for the AFF. We encourage you to make your gift or pledge by December 31st as donations can be put to immediate use. You may also receive a follow-up email from parent volunteers, our AFF Ambassadors, who may reach out to you as a reminder to make your gift or pledge and answer any questions you may have. Pledges to the Annual Fund are made payable by May 31st of each school year so you can pledge your gift at any point and pay on or before May 31st, if you prefer.

What is "Leadership Giving?"

Leadership giving begins at $2,500 and is one of the ways to make a significant impact on the daily experience of Pinewood students.

Giving Levels

Visionary $100,000+
Founder $50,000+
Leader $25,000-$49,999
Benefactor $15,000-$24,999
Patron $10,000-$14,999
Sponsor $5,000-$9,999
Partner $2,500-$4,999
Evergreen $1,500-$2,499
Panther $1-$1,499

Ad Astra Society ($10k+ levels) Donors at the Ad Astra Society level, with gifts of $10,000+, are invited to the Ad Astra Society Reception in fall of the following year.

President's Circle ($2,500+ levels) Donors at the President’s Circle level, with gifts of $2500+, are invited to the President’s Circle Reception in the fall of the following year.

Will my employer match my donation?

Many employers participate in a matching gifts program as an employee benefit. Matching gifts allow you to double or in some cases triple your contributions to the school. Please contact your Human Resources Department for guidelines and forms. You will be recognized by Pinewood School for the sum total of your family's gift AND any corporate match given in your name. You can also visit the matching gifts page on the Pinewood website to check if your employer does gift matching. Use the link below to see if your employer will double your donationMany employers participate in a matching gifts program as an employee benefit. Matching gifts allow you to double or in some cases triple your contributions to the school. Please contact your Human Resources Department for guidelines and forms. You will be recognized by Pinewood School for the sum total of your family's gift AND any corporate match given in your name. You can also visit the matching gifts page on the Pinewood website to check if your employer does gift matching. Use the link below to see if your employer will double your donation.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by

Does the school host any appreciation or recognition events for donors?

Yes! Pinewood hosts the following events to thank and recognize our leadership donors:

President Circle Reception

Donors at the President’s Circle levels of $2,500 and above are invited to the President's Circle Reception in the fall of the following year, hosted by the Development Office and school President to thank them for their generosity. Every year, we welcome 250 families to this appreciation event.

Ad Astra Society Reception

Donors at the Ad Astra Society level, with gifts of $10,000+, are invited to the Ad Astra Society Reception in fall of the following year. This event is hosted by the President and Head of School, Scott Riches and the Pinewood Board of Directors and features faculty, alumni and student speakers.