FAQs

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• What is the GSB Fund?

  The GSB Fund is Gill St. Bernard’s largest annual charitable giving campaign that runs in conjunction with the school’s fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. The GSB Fund immediately impacts our students and faculty and is essential to nearly every aspect of the daily GSB experience. It provides support for: academics and program development, arts, athletics, Home Winds, Faculty Development, Scholarships/Financial Aid, technology, and areas of greatest need identified by the school's administration. 

• How can I make a donation?

  There are many ways to make a gift to the school. To review your options please learn more about our ways to give and, of course, contact Meredith Marks (908-234-1611, ext. 210) in the Office of Institutional Advancement at any time to get more information.
  
  

  Cash and Pledges – Gifts and pledge payments can be made by cash, check, credit card, and/or through the transfer of stocks and securities. Payment online is convenient and accessible on our website. The GSB Fund annually runs July 1 through June 30.

  
  Gifts-in-Kind – Tangible items, such as equipment and supplies are considered gifts-in-kind when given to the School or sold to the School at a discount. Every year, numerous gifts, small and large, fall into this category. Gifts-in-kind are tax deductible and donors are recognized in the Annual Report on Philanthropy. For questions, please contact Meredith Marks, 908.234.1611, x210 or at mmarks@gsbschool.org.

• Who is asked to donate?

  Everyone in the GSB school community —trustees, faculty and staff, alumni, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, and friends of the School—is asked to contribute. Each fall we appeal to our community members to make a gift or pledge payable by June 30. The Annual Report on Philanthropy, published in November, provides recognition acknowledgments and a visible report on the impact of these generous gifts.

• Is my participation important?

  Absolutely! Participation is key to a successful year. Every gift is valued and vital. Your contribution makes a strong statement of support and may lead to gifts from other individuals, foundations, or corporations.

• When should I contribute?

  Gifts are accepted year round and do not need to be made at any particular time. The school’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. For tax purposes, gifts made on or before December 31 are eligible to be claimed for a tax deduction when filing for that same year.

• Why does GSB need to raise money?

  Simply put, as with most independent schools, tuition does not cover the cost of a GSB education. This year, 89% of the School’s operating budget is funded with tuition dollars. The rest is funded through tax-deductible giving and investment income. A gap of $4,000 per child is not covered by tuition. That difference must be met through fundraising for the GSB Fund. Additionally, expenses such as construction and improvement of facilities and capital assets are not funded by tuition.

• Are you saying that tuition doesn't cover everything?

  That’s right. Tuition does not cover the cost of running Gill St. Bernard’s School. The cost of a GSB education – the majority of which is comprised of the salaries and benefits of our faculty and staff – is higher than what the school charges for tuition. So, in a sense, each GSB student receives “partial tuition financial aid” – paid for, in part, by the GSB Fund.

• Why are unrestricted gifts important?

  Unrestricted gifts provide GSB with the greatest amount of financial flexibility, in turn allowing the school to fund its most pressing needs. Tuition only covers 90% of the true cost of a GSB education. The GSB Fund support helps bridge the gap, allowing our students to excel.

• Does the GSB Fund really benefit students?

  It really does. In some way, every aspect of school life is backed by the GSB Fund. Everything from salaries to scholarships, from team equipment to test-tubes, is provided in part by gifts to the GSB Fund. Financially speaking, the generosity of GSB Fund donors supports every student. Every gift, every year, makes the difference.

• How much does GSB expect me to give?

  Each gift supports current year programming. We ask that our community members to participate in a way that is meaningful for their family. Last year the GSB Fund raised approximately $1,000,000. The average parent gift was $1,750, and parent contributions accounted for 52% of the GSB Fund total. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated, for every gift serves to amplify the next. Remember, a gift of $25 pays for an online subscription to National Geographic Magazine, or a gift of $5 buys a teacher a set of white-board markers. GSB is truly grateful for every gift.

• What is considered Leadership Giving?

  Contributions of $1,000 or more to the GSB Fund are considered Leadership Gifts, and donors at that level become members of the Vita Society, recognizing members of the GSB community who are making an extraordinary commitment to the school. Such gifts made up 90% of the GSB Fund last year.

• Is my contribution tax-deductible?

  Yes, Gill St. Bernard's School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and every gift is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please see your tax advisor for more detailed information.

• Do you participate in company matching gift programs?

  Many employers match charitable contributions by their employees. Please contact your Human Resources office for this information, as they would need to provide you with the information and/or forms necessary to have your gift matched. 
  
  You may also visit http://www1.matchinggifts.com/gsbschool/ to see if your employer or your spouse’s employer is on the list of published matching gift companies.

• What are endowment gifts?

  Endowment gifts are unique in that rather than simply being used to fund something in the present, they are instead invested for future growth and development. Like a savings account, funds in an Endowment continue to grow and the interest on these funds are then used to support the school while the principal remains intact. Endowment gifts help to ensure the financial stability of the school for years to come and are a wonderful addition to an unrestricted gift. Call Meredith Marks at 908-234-1611, ext. 210 to learn more about making an endowed gift.

• What are other ways I can support GSB?

  While monetary gifts to the school are crucial, GSB would not be able to do all it does without the many wonderful volunteers helping out every day on and off campus. Please visit our volunteer page to see all our current opportunities. To learn more about how you can get involved, contact:
  
  

  Chanelle Walker 
  Director of Alumni Relations; Associate Director of Development
  908-234-1611, Ext. 292
  cwalker@gsbschool.org
  
  

  Jennifer Doherty 
  Director of Parent Relations and Special Events
  908-234-1611, Ext. 219
  jdoherty@gsbschool.org

• Who should I contact if I have questions?

  Meredith Marks 
  Director of Institutional Advancement
  908-234-1611, ext. 210
  mmarks@gsbschool.org
  
  

  Sarah Quinn Clausen

  Associate Director of Advancement
  908-234-1611, ext. 361
  squinnclausen@gsbschool.org
  
  

  Chanelle Walker 
  Director of Alumni Relations; Associate Director of Development
  908-234-1611, ext. 292
  cwalker@gsbschool.org
  
  

  Jennifer Doherty 
  Director of Parent Relations and Special Events
  908-234-1611, ext. 219
  jdoherty@gsbschool.org
  
  

  Nancy Randolph 
  Development Assistant; Office Manager
  908-234-1611, ext. 209
  nrandolph@gsbschool.org