The BT Fund is the name of our annual giving program. It is the most important fundraising effort at Brownell Talbot. The BT Fund kicks-off in the fall, when we invite every member of the BT community to participate by making a tax-deductible gift at a level that is personally meaningful.
The BT Fund is a critical part of BT’s financial model and helps keep BT delivering exceptional, forward-thinking education. When you contribute, you're not simply donating to an institution, you're directly enhancing the educational experience our students receive every day. While tuition covers the basics, your BT Fund gift allows us to say "yes" to the exceptional teachers, innovative resources, and transformative experiences that set BT apart.
The BT Fund runs from September to December, culminating with BT’s annual giving day, Gingerbread for BT.
Because all areas of the school benefit from The BT Fund, we ask that families first give to The BT Fund before supporting other priorities at the school. From a $10 gift to a $10,000 gift, your contribution to The BT Fund is impactful and speaks to our shared value of responsibility—ensuring every student, including yours, continues to receive the outstanding education that defines the Brownell Talbot experience.
FAQs About The BT Fund
Your gift directly supports the Brownell Talbot student experience. Gifts to The BT Fund provide “unrestricted” or flexible dollars for use during the current school year and are used to support areas of immediate need or opportunity as determined by the Head of School and the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees, BT families, faculty and staff, alumni, past parents/guardians, and friends are asked to support The BT Fund.
The BT Fund impacts every part of our community - faculty and staff recruitment and retention, academic programming, technology, athletics, activities, visual and performing arts and music, the unique socioeconomic diversity of our community, and more.
The goal is 100% participation from our entire school community including parents/guardians, faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.
High participation in The BT Fund is evidence that everyone in our community shares in the effort. It is also a benchmark used by foundations and outside funders when deciding which of the many worthwhile schools will receive their financial support.
We celebrate in a variety of fun, age-appropriate ways including things like out of uniform days, ice cream parties, and more!
The Gap = Net Deficit / # of Students
- Net Deficit = Total Expenditures (Cost to Operate the School) - Total Tuition Revenue
- Total Expenditures = Operating Expenses (less depreciation and auxiliary programs) + Tuition Reduction (financial aid, scholarships, and faculty and staff remission) + Capital Expenditures
If tuition was increased to cover the actual cost of all programs, many families could not afford to send their children to BT. This could result in a drop in enrollment, resulting in a cutback of programs.
Brownell Talbot endeavors to maintain tuition rates that are comparable with peer schools and kept at a level that makes an independent school education possible for a wide scope of families with varying economic circumstances.
Absolutely! Simply indicate on your pledge card or via the online form that you’d like your gift to remain anonymous.
The cost of an independent school education is such that tuition alone does not cover the total cost of educating a student. Our development efforts are designed to invite support in order to cover the gap between income and the cost of educating students.
Our hope is that Brownell Talbot is your favorite nonprofit and your family’s philanthropic priority. We invite all members of our school community to contribute at a level that is meaningful to you. Gifts range from $50 to $50,000. Every gift is valued and appreciated!
Gifts to The BT Fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
We hope you do! Matching gift programs are an easy way to maximize your contribution to BT. Please contact the Advancement Office to learn more about how to include BT in your company’s matching gift program.
