New Parents
Welcome to ECFS!
ECFS is a strong, vibrant, and intentional community because of the collective gifts of time, talent, and treasure bestowed by all. Everyone is asked to join in advancing the mission of our School by sharing their gifts and inspiring others to give.
What is the Orange Fund?
The Orange Fund is our annual, community-wide fundraising drive that supports the pedagogy and programming that makes ECFS a leader in progressive education.
We exceeded our Orange Fund goal last year, raising a total of $4.8 million and reaching 73% parent participation.
Your donation impacts every aspect of the student experience. To read more about the impact of your donation, click HERE.
Orange Fund by the Numbers
68% of New Families contributed to the Orange Fund in FY 23.
98 New Families contributed $313,813, which made up 6% of all Orange Fund gifts.
For more information, click HERE.
Orange Fund Gift Categories
Founder $50,000 and above
Leader $35,000–49,999
Benefactor $25,000–34,999
Ambassador $15,000–24,999
Director $10,000–14,999
Patron $5,000–9,999
Pacesetter $2,500–4,999
1878 Club $1,878–2,499
Member $1,000–1,877
Donor up to $999
Gifts of any amount are appreciated.
Leadership Giving
All contributions to the Orange Fund are greatly valued and help ECFS sustain its vibrant, world-class progressive education that your children are now experiencing, but Leadership level support is the critical foundation of our fundraising efforts. The majority of funds raised each year are from donors who make gifts of $10,000 or more — In FY 23, Leadership giving accounted for 70% of overall gifts — over $3.4 million. Additionally, the generosity of Leadership donors makes a distinct impact on ECFS's culture of philanthropy by motivating others to give both money and time and help build our purposeful community. If your family is able, we hope you will become a philanthropic leader with a gift of $10,000 or more this year. New families play an integral role in this demonstration of dedication — last year, 24 new families gave at the Leadership level.
To learn more about Leadership giving, please contact Stephanie Pilla, Assistant Director of Leadership Giving, at spilla@ecfs.org.
Loyal Oaks Society
When you support the Orange Fund for five or more consecutive years, you are inducted into the Loyal Oaks Society, a committed group of parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends. We are deeply grateful for these philanthropic leaders whose steadfast support serves as the foundation for ECFS's continued excellence. This year, over 1,000 Loyal Oaks donors contributed over $2,800,000 to the Orange Fund. Learn more about the Loyal Oaks Society HERE.
Giving to the Orange Fund
Gifts to the Orange Fund can be made any time during the school's fiscal year, from July 1st - June 30th.
Participation is encouraged on #GivingTuesday, November 28th, 2023. #GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity. On #GivingTuesday, ECFS prioritizes raising money for Financial Aid.
To see the various ways a gift can be made, click HERE.
New Parent FAQ
What is an annual fund? Why do we need one?
An annual fund is an initiative that raises money for a school's yearly operating budget. As with all independent schools, tuition alone does not cover the full cost of educating each student at ECFS. The gap between tuition and operating expenses is approximately $7,000 per student. The remaining costs are made up of income from our institutional investment portfolio and unrestricted donations to our annual fund, The Orange Fund.
Philanthropic support is an important part of every independent not-for-profit school’s business plan. Your gifts to the Orange Fund reduce the gap per student and help ECFS meet our annual operating budget. Achieving our Orange Fund goal is essential.
Why is my participation as a new parent important?
We hope that families will make ECFS a philanthropic priority, and that alumni will recognize the importance that ECFS made on their lives and donate to provide a similar opportunity for those who follow. Strong financial support of the Orange Fund demonstrates your commitment to the School and your belief in our students and their bright futures. Each and every gift is important.
What if my family receives financial aid?
We ask every member of the ECFS community — current parents, grandparents, employees, parents of graduates, and alumni — to participate in the Orange Fund, including families who receive financial aid. Your contribution, at any level, strengthens our community and demonstrates your support of the ECFS mission and your investment in its future.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes! ECFS is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization under the Federal Internal Revenue Code. Unlike tuition fees, all contributions to the Orange Fund are deductible pursuant to the prevailing tax laws. All donors will receive a letter noting their gift amount, the date of their gift, and a disclosure that no goods or services were provided.
Are there other ways I can give back to the School?
Absolutely. If you are interested in volunteering with the Orange Fund, click here.
If you are interested in getting involved with the P + T, please email pandt@ecfs.org.
I still have more questions!
Read through a broader FAQ here, or email OrangeFund@ecfs.org.