Annual Fund

Each year, all members of the extended RA/LP community—trustees, current and former families, alumni, faculty, staff, grandparents, and friends—are invited to make a gift to the Annual Fund in an amount that is personally meaningful. Every contribution matters.

The Annual Fund plays a vital role in helping RA/LP thrive. Gifts provide essential, unrestricted support to the school’s operating budget—enhancing programs, enriching student experiences, and offering opportunities that tuition alone cannot fully cover.

Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. To inspire community-wide participation, Annual Fund giving is often encouraged through a variety of initiatives—such as appreciation campaigns, festive mini-drives, or personal outreach from parent volunteers. Whether you give in response to a mailed appeal, an event, or a conversation with a peer your support makes a meaningful difference.

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Why I Support RA|LP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Annual Fund?

The Annual Fund is a yearly source of support for the School made up of unrestricted donations. At RA|LP, the Annual Fund makes up approximately 5% of the school’s operating budget. It provides resources for the School's programming beyond what is possible through tuition alone.

As an independent school and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the School does not receive funding from the state or federal government. Independent schools typically have three main revenue streams: tuition, charitable contributions, and ancillary programs, such as facility rentals and summer camp. This model is common among independent schools (from RA|LP to Harvard). Further, Annual Fund support allows us to keep tuition as low as possible, allowing children from families of varying socioeconomic backgrounds to access an RA|LP experience.

Why does RA|LP need donations when it charges tuition?

Tuition covers about 87% of Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool’s annual operating expenses. The remaining balance is funded through endowment income, auxiliary programs, and charitable gifts—most significantly, contributions to the Annual Fund. Your gift directly supports the people, programs, and experiences that make an RA education exceptional.

Annual Fund gifts are also fully tax-deductible and help strengthen the school’s case for foundation grants and outside funding. High participation—regardless of gift size—demonstrates strong community support and makes a powerful statement about our shared commitment to the school.

How much should I give to the Annual Fund?

Philanthropy is a personal decision, and the right amount will look different for every family or individual. We ask all members of the RA|LP community—parents, faculty, staff, alumni, grandparents, and friends—to give at a level that feels meaningful to them.

Last year, individual donations ranged from $5 to more than $50,000. Every contribution, regardless of size, is valued and has a direct impact on our students, teachers, and programs.

Why is Annual Fund participation important?

How does the Annual Fund directly benefit RA|LP students?

Some examples of how the Annual Fund directly impacts the students include:

Classrooms materials and tools to enhance learning and engage students
Salaries and benefits to attract and retain exceptional educators
Access to resources and databases for students and faculty
Technology, such as chromebooks, iPads, parallel remote learning technology, and public broadcast system
Facility maintenance and improvements
Tuition Assistance for mission-appropriate families
Professional development for faculty and staff

Have more questions about the Annual Fund? Please contact the Development Office.

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