Giving
Philanthropic Giving Campaign
"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
- Hebrews 13:16 NIV
- Hebrews 13:16 NIV
Life-giving shifts are underway at The Master’s School!
The Master’s School is transformed through innovative entrepreneurial practices to achieve institutional metamorphosis. Institutional metamorphosis is “a radical transformation of an institution’s structure and function...while...preserving the institution’s DNA of fundamental beliefs, values and principles” to achieve the fullest manifestation of institutional excellence (Gialamas et al., 2014, p. 73).
This radical transformation includes innovative shifts in fund development. Last year, we shifted away from fund development through exclusive major events (e.g., the Gala), urgent requests to fill emergent needs, and campaigns undertaken to backfill financial shortfalls. This year, we shift towards an all-inclusive and forward-thinking culture of Christian philanthropy focused on developing vitality, strength, and independent sustainability.
What is Christian philanthropy?
The traditional secular definition of philanthropy is a love of mankind and voluntary action for the common good. In this secular view, man shares what belongs to man as an expression of love and concern for their fellow man. Christian philanthropists share what is God’s to glorify God. As Christians
- We understand that all that we have has been entrusted to us by God (1 Timothy 6:7) and that what he provides, we are called to steward and grow (Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 25:14-30).
- Further, as Christians, we understand we are called to be generous. Hebrews 13:16 exhorts - “and do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
- And ultimately, as Christians, we understand that our generosity in releasing what is God’s to benefit others honors God. In 2 Corinthians 9:11, Paul explains, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
What does a culture of philanthropy look like?
- A culture of philanthropy is inclusive, with all members of the school community, the board, CEO, faculty, staff, families, alumni, and alumni families collaborating and co-creating with a forward-thinking focus to increase the financial health, vibrancy, and long-term sustainability of the school.
What are the recursive commitments within a culture of philanthropy?
In a culture of philanthropy, we, the school, commit to
- Responsible stewardship of tuition dollars and developed funds to increase the school's health, vibrancy, and long-term sustainability.
- Using innovative entrepreneurial ingenuity to reject “limitations imposed by the environment, utilize resources in new and innovative ways, and engage a wide range of stakeholders as partners (Sunduramurthy, 2016, p. 855)” with a forward-thinking focus on increasing the health, vibrancy, and long-term sustainability of the school.
As a result, families’ financial commitments to the school are reduced to
- tuition
- a few division and interest-specific items
- a philanthropic gift of any size in keeping with each community member’s ability to give
The Case for Giving.
Like all strong private schools committed to responsible stewardship and financial sustainability, tuition at The Master’s School ensures an exceptional foundational education, and partnerships and philanthropic efforts expand rich extracurricular experiences, rarified academic programming, efforts to attract and retain extraordinary and diverse educators, capital improvements, and opportunities for more students to attend through sponsorships. Indeed, last year, philanthropic gifts and partnerships supported expanded music, theater, ballet, STEM, outdoor preschool programming and classrooms, athletics, facilities and technology upgrades, new teacher hires, and student sponsorships.
Now, acknowledging God’s great faithfulness, I ask you to join me in supporting The Master’s School’s commitment to excellence by donating to the Master’s Fund. Already, the head of school and the entire Board of Trustees have confidently recommitted their support. The campaign has just begun and is already approaching 100% recommitment of support among faculty and staff!
This year, we join together to raise $478,000 to continue to:
- Expand rich extracurricular offerings, including art, theater, music, dance, athletics, outdoor education, student leadership and service opportunities, and rare after-school and summer programming.
- Facilities improvements including renovation of a girls’ locker room, student bathrooms, flooring across campus, and a building newly rededicated as an innovative elementary school!
- Implement innovative practices to attract, train, and retain extraordinary and diverse educators.
- Increase campus safety to respond to an ever-changing world.
- Increase opportunities for more students to attend through sponsorships.
Please join us by investing in God’s school to benefit our current students and generations of students to come! We hope that you are inspired by all the exciting progress of the last year and The Master’s School’s dedication to careful stewardship to achieve outrageously excellent Christian education now. Please find my contact information below. I invite you to connect with me to learn more as you prepare to add your gift to The Master’s School story.
Dr. Deborah DeBisschopHead of SchoolThe Master’s Schoolddebisschop@masterschool.orgP: 860-651-9361 ext. 5001
Todd Shelansky
President of the Board of Trustees
The Master's School
The Master's School
The Master’s School is an independent, college-preparatory, non-denominational Christian day school enrolling children in preschool through post-graduate in West Simsbury, CT.
The Master's School is fully accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
The Master's School opens its doors to all qualified students regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religious affiliation. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national affiliation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, and other school-administered programs.
The Master's School is fully accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
The Master's School opens its doors to all qualified students regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religious affiliation. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national affiliation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, and other school-administered programs.
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