What is The Sidwell Friends Fund?

The Sidwell Friends Fund is Sidwell’s annual fund. It provides a critical revenue source for the operating budget yearly and supports the School’s highest priorities, including financial aid, faculty professional development, and student experiences. It enables the School to extend and enrich learning beyond what tuition alone can provide. If you’re interested in learning more, please click here, and if you’d like to see specific examples of what the Fund supports, please click here.

Why does the School need donations when tuition is already high?

Tuition only covers about 80% of the School's operating budget yearly. The School relies on philanthropic support to help bridge the gap between tuition and the full cost of a Sidwell Friends education.

Why is parent participation important?

Parent participation in The Sidwell Friends Fund is crucial because it reflects a strong commitment to the School and its mission. High participation shows that parents are invested in their children's education and actively support the School’s efforts to enrich the student experience. Every gift, no matter the size, helps foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, while also inspiring others to give generously by demonstrating the collective support of the parent body.

How much should I give?

Your gift, of any size, is deeply appreciated and very important. We ask you to thoughtfully consider a gift that is meaningful to your family, but whatever the amount, it is your participation that matters most.

Does a pledge count for participation?

Yes! Once you pledge to make a gift, you are counted for participation. You have until the close of our fiscal year on June 30 to fulfill your pledge. For questions, please contact Rebecca Sproul-Gushue, assistant director of annual giving, at sproulgushuer@sidwell.edu.

Can I make a gift in honor/memory of someone?

Yes! When making a gift, you will be given that option on the post-payment page. When pledging, you will be able to indicate that before you submit your pledge.

Our family has multiple children in different grades. How will our participation be counted?

When a parent makes a gift, the entire family will be counted as having participated. If you have children in multiple grades, your family will be counted for participation in every grade.

Can I make a gift by check, DAF or with stock/securities?

Absolutely! Please click here to read about the different ways you can give. To ensure that your gift counts toward Parent Day of Giving, kindly email the details of your gift to Rebecca Sproul-Gushue, assistant director of annual giving, at sproulgushuer@sidwell.edu.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes! A tax receipt will be sent to you after you make your gift.

Will my employer match my gift?

Your gift may be eligible for a match by your employer. While making a gift, you will have the opportunity to input your company name and the tool will tell you if your gift can be matched. You can also click here to check now.

How else can I help?

Spread the word, encourage other parents to join in, and become a Parent Day of Giving Advocate! Click here to sign up for a free GiveCampus account and become an Advocate then use the built-in social sharing buttons to share your unique link with fellow parents. Every click, donor, and dollar you generate will be tracked! Your support is valuable and deeply appreciated.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Please contact Rebecca Sproul-Gushue, assistant director of annual giving, at sproulgushuer@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8446.