Annual Fund Drive

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

• What is the Annual Fund?

  As a source of unrestricted funding, the Annual Fund gives the school the flexibility to direct support where it is needed most. It is a vital source of funding, supporting the students, teachers, and programs that define a CEE education during the same school year it is raised. Tuition covers about 75% of the school's operating costs. The remaining gap is over $14,000 per student, which the Annual Fund helps offset. This support also helps keep tuition from rising dramatically each year. 

• What does my gift support?

  • Recruitment and retention of the best available faculty and staff 
  • Professional development, ensuring faculty and staff are at the forefront of education
  • Innovative curricular and co-curricular programs from the arts to the sciences to sports
  • Community traditions like International Food Tasting, Winter Sing, and Olympics
  • Financial aid to ensure a range of families have access to a Center education
  • Developmentally appropriate classroom technology
  • Upkeep and care of our campus

• How much should I give?

  We hope you will make a gift that is meaningful to your family and reflects the value you place on a CEE education. The full CEE experience is not possible without the generous support of our families, so we hope you consider CEE one of your top philanthropic priorities. Your Annual Fund appeal letter includes a suggested contribution amount that can be a helpful guide. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. The impact of your gift to The Center may be doubled or possibly tripled! If you’re unsure about the right amount or would like to talk it through, the Advancement team is always available and happy to help. 

• Is my Annual Fund gift tax-deductible?

  Yes! The Center is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

• When should I make my gift?

  Most families contribute during AFD Launch Week; this year it will be from October 5–9. We encourage you to make your one-time gift or set up monthly installments during that week, but we understand that everyone’s timing is different. A pledge payable by May 1 also counts toward parent participation and gives us a clearer picture of the funds we can expect throughout the school year. To make a pledge official, please submit it in writing by completing the online pledge form or emailing advancement@cee-school.org with the amount you’d like to give.