Fundraising at GISNY

Gifts of cash, check, wire transfer or Venmo can be made at any time and directed to either one of our annual funds or to the Campus of the Future Fund.

Many companies will double or triple their employees’ support of a nonprofit organization. Contact your Human Resources (HR) Department to confirm if your company offers a matching contribution program.

Reduce your capital gains taxes by gifting a highly appreciated security at its present market value to GISNY. More information you can find on Gift of Stock page.

These gifts are as valuable as cash to GISNY and are also fully tax-deductible. Contact our business manager if you are interested in this type of donation.

Did you know that you are able to designate GISNY to receive a percentage of your Amazon purchases? Through Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com), you can designate GISNY as your nonprofit organization and 0.5% of all your eligible purchases are donated to GISNY regularly.

Our community of volunteers contributes thousands of hours every year. If you are a parent, check with your Parents’ Association Representative about current volunteer opportunities in the classroom or on campus.

Remembering GISNY in your estate plan provides a significant opportunity for future students. If you are interested in learning more, contact our business manager (busmngr@gisny.org).

We already pay tuition. Why should we donate?

Like other German schools in the US, GISNY is a hybrid organization. It supports its mission with tuition and fees like a traditional American independent school. And like a state-sponsored school, the German government provides some financial support. Although tuition plus the German government support mostly covers the day-to-day operating costs, fundraising is crucial to ensure the school's long-term financial health, modernization, and expansion projects which impact the education of all students greatly. U.S. tax law also encourages donations to independent educational institutions like GISNY. As a nonprofit organization, donations to GISNY are tax-deductible where tuition is not.

 

My family is only here for a short time - Why should we donate?

The GISNY community extends across time and space. All donations are invested in the school's future. Every past, present, and future GISNY student benefits from the generosity of the gifts families have made in previous years. Your donations have a long-lasting impact on generations of students through the development of new academic programs and modernization of our school. They also benefit our alumni by securing GISNY's national and international reputation and recognition for generations to come. 

 

Shouldn't the school have enough money?

Generally, tuition only covers about 80% of GISNY's full operating costs with the rest being covered by the German government through direct and indirect support as well as GISNY's local fundraising efforts and revenues.

 

Who gives?

We invite every member of the GISNY community to contribute to the different funds and campaigns, regardless of the amount.

 

How much should I give?

Every gift makes a difference, whether you give $5 or $50,000. The amount you decide to give is entirely up to you. We invite you to give a meaningful gift appropriate to your circumstances—every gift counts, every gift matters.

 

Why does participation matter?

Contributing to the different funds or campaigns unites our community behind the common goal of supporting our teachers and students. Contrary to what some might think, German companies do not automatically give to German schools. When considering donations and grants, foundations, and other organizations from whom we seek support, look for high levels of community participation (the percentage of parents giving, not the dollar amount of individual gifts). High participation rates within our community demonstrate to potential external donors our commitment to our school's mission, confidence in our institution, and the school's short and long-term financial stability.

 

I receive tuition assistance. If I give, won't that jeopardize my ability to receive financial aid in the future?

No, donating money to the school does not in any way affect a family's grant of tuition assistance. GISNY's financial aid award algorithm determines a family's "discretionary income" and how much of that would be available for tuition. The decisions a family makes in allocating its remaining income are beyond the purview of the financial aid determination. We are deeply honored to receive any donation from all families, but even more so when we know that a family has constrained financial resources. Moreover, we are committed to protecting the privacy of all our families. Financial information is not shared beyond the financial aid committee that makes decisions about tuition assistance.

 

I support the Parents' Association. Why should I give to the different funds or campaigns?

The Parents' Association fundraises to support its activities, e.g., faculty and staff recognition, Newcomer's Club, as well as small and immediate school needs like its recent gift of a shed to the nature-based kindergarten, musical instruments, books, and trees. The Campus of the Future Development Fund and other funds are the best way families can support the school's long-term financial needs. Gifts are exclusively invested in the area they focus on and benefit all students at the school.