Donate & Participate
The Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is the school’s largest and most important fundraising initiative. This yearly request for gifts to the school accounts for 15% of our operating budget—a figure far higher than most independent schools and indicative of the loyalty and generosity of our community. The consistent renewal of support is critical to our ability to plan and to achieve our goals, and the addition of new donors each year allows us to keep pace with rising costs and to realize new ambitions.
Who supports the Annual Fund?
100% of staff
100% of the Board
100% of current parents
13% of alumni
32% of alumni parents
Endowment Giving
Funds for the Future
The school’s Board of Trustees has identified the need to develop a larger endowment as a strategic goal of enormous importance to the future quality and strength of The Learning Project. The school’s “Funds for the Future” currently provides annual investment returns that contribute significantly to the school’s ability to provide a high-quality program, to maintain accessibility through financial assistance, and to provide strong levels of compensation for the school’s teachers.
Gifts of whatever magnitude to assist us in growing this critical resource are welcome, and will benefit the school for years to come. Contact us if you are interested in learning more about Funds for the Future.
Community Scholarship Fund
In the 1990’s, an anonymous donor provided funds to support one student for the entirety of a Learning Project education—and the idea of the current Community Scholarship Fund was born. Over the years, several students, on a need-basis, have received a scholarship for the duration of their LP careers.
The Community Scholarship Fund allows the school to remain accessible to a broad range of families. We invite interested donors to contact us about this opportunity.
Prindle Opportunity Scholarship Fund
The Prindle Opportunity Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 and was named after alumni parents, Sue and Paul Prindle, to recognize their commitment to education and to The Learning Project. The Fund endows one scholarship, in perpetuity, for a student from an under-served population. This fund is particularly appropriate for donors who would like to restrict their endowment giving to scholarship purposes.
Caroline Schmidt Arts and Inspiration Fund
Caroline Schmidt was The Learning Project’s beloved Art Teacher from 2013 – 2021. The Caroline Schmidt Arts and Inspiration Fund was created to honor Caroline’s artistic legacy and to benefit students, parents, faculty and staff for years to come. A gift to this fund will support our current arts program and will fund new arts education opportunities. In the spirit of Caroline’s artistic creativity and passion, this fund will also allow us to evolve into new and exciting areas of the arts.
Gary Hatton Mental Health and Wellness Fund
The Gary Hatton Mental Health and Wellness Fund is intended primarily to offer financial support to Learning Project students and faculty for mental health counseling services. These services can be in the form of individual therapy from psychiatrists, psychologists, other mental health/social service professionals, and/or group education or therapy sessions that could benefit LP students and faculty at large.
This fund was established in memory of the late Gary Hatton, a “Long Time Friend” of The Learning Project. Gary had a deep appreciation for the school’s mission, its community, and the education that The LP provided his children. Gary’s four children attended The LP over a 17-year period from 1991 to 2008, and Gary served on the school’s Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2009, serving in the critical role of Treasurer for each of those years. Gary was committed to supporting The LP community and will continue to do so through the establishment of the Gary Hatton Mental Health and Wellness Fund.
