| Charitable Contributions |
For nearly 20 years Community Montessori School
has provided its students with a superior education,
founded on the principles established by Maria
Montessori. In that time, an amazing community of
families and friends has stood together in support of
CMS' mission, and has truly made the school what it
is today. Community Montessori is a school unlike
any other. It is a school where children and
adolescents share a unique relationship with their
classmates and teachers. Ideas and thoughts are
valued. Education is enjoyable and often fascinating.
Above all else, students of Community Montessori
School hold and maintain a true love of learning, one
that is carried with them as they enter high school,
enter college and beyond.
To continue in its mission, CMS relies on the support
of the school’s community...a community of families,
friends, faculty, and staff. Ours is a private school
and operates without the financial assistance of local
and state government. Tuition is deliberately kept low
in comparison to schools of a similar caliber in order
to promote diversity. To fill the gap between the
expenses tuition covers and the actual cost incurred
per child, and to provide resources for improvement
and expansion of our programs and facilities,
fundraising vehicles such as the Annual Fund, our
semi-annual Golf Challenge, our Gala and other events
are essential.
Q: Why does CMS conduct fundraising activities?
Isn't the money raised through tuition and fees enough
to support the school?
A: Tuition and fees cover just 80 percent of the CMS
operating budget. Moreover, CMS receives no state or
federal funding and yet has many important financial
needs. Most important is the ongoing improvement
and expansion of the school's programs and facilities
to benefit our students. In addition, every nonprofit-
whether a private school, social service agency, or
health care entity-must conduct fundraising activities
if the organization is going to continue to grow and
improve. The funds raised through the Annual Fund,
the Gala and the Golf Challenge provide additional
unrestricted dollars for CMS' operating needs. Other
fundraising endeavors such as grant writing and major
gift solicitation are ongoing and conducted by the
CMS Development Office and Board of Trustees for
specific purposes.
Q: Why should I, as a parent, make a charitable
donation to CMS?
A: Generosity and sharing with others in your
community are two of the basic concepts learned by
students in a Montessori classroom. What better way
to reinforce this lesson than by serving as a first-hand
example for your child by giving to his or her school?
Q: Is there a specific amount parents must donate?
A: CMS understands that the ability to give varies
from family to family, and no one is expected to give
beyond his or her means. Most important is that every
member of our community - parents, board, faculty
and staff - makes a contribution. Every donation - big
or small - is important. As you are considering your
gift, we ask that you keep in mind that many
businesses will match all or part of their employees'
gifts to support education. Check with your employer
to see if this option is available to you. You can
significantly increase the impact of your gift in this
way.
Q: Are my contributions tax deductible?
A: The Community Montessori School is a non-profit
organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) status
according to the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Under these provisions all donations to the school are
tax deductible, as allowed by law. All donors receive
acknowledgement and an annual statement of their
contributions for use when preparing their tax return.
Q: How can we make a gift to CMS?
A: There are several ways to make a gift to CMS so
that the needs and wishes of individual donors can be
accommodated. All questions should be directed to
the attention of the CMS Development Office.
Q: Can CMS use non-monetary donations?
A: CMS can use many donations that are not "cash"
donations:
Materials to be used in the classrooms: The teachers
in every classroom maintain a "wish list" of items that
would enhance their classroom environment. These
lists may be requested from the office at either
campus.
Services: If you have a skill or talent - professional or
recreational - that you would like to share with us,
this too can be considered a charitable donation, as
allowed by law. Again, you can offer this donation
via our administrative offices or the Development
Office.
Office or household "equipment": From time to time
our computers, printers, garbage disposals, washing
machines, etc., succumb to the test of time. We list
needed items in the monthly newsletter, but if you
have something that you think we might be able to
use, call us!
Bequests: Gifts may also be given in memory of a
loved one, and the use of the proceeds can be directed
for a certain use (technology, for example, or tuition
assistance) or for use as needed.
Q: Is it possible to make a pledge and pay it out over a
period of several months?
A: Gifts to the Annual Fund campaign may be made in
one payment or spread out over several payments.
Q: May we make our gift anonymously?
A: Yes. When you make your contribution, just
indicate that you would prefer that it be anonymous,
and we will honor your request. (We still need your
complete name and address for our confidential
records.)
| Support Community Montessori School |
| The Whole Child |
"The secret of good teaching is
to regard the child's intelligence
as a fertile field in which seeds
may be sown, to grow under the
heat of flaming imagination. Our
aim therefore is not merely to
make the child understand, and
still less to force him to
memorize, but so to touch his
imagination as to enthuse him to
this inmost core."
Maria Montessori
to regard the child's intelligence
as a fertile field in which seeds
may be sown, to grow under the
heat of flaming imagination. Our
aim therefore is not merely to
make the child understand, and
still less to force him to
memorize, but so to touch his
imagination as to enthuse him to
this inmost core."
Maria Montessori
| Frequently Asked Questions |