What Does Giving Look Like at JHCS?
The Jackson Hole Community School is so much more than a school. We are a leader in progressive education. We offer a curriculum that values compassion, imagination and critical thinking. We are a safe space for self-awareness and growth.
And we are so glad you are a part of our community.
The extraordinary generosity of the JHCS community creates countless opportunities for our remarkable students and faculty to go further, to try something new, to make a discovery. We are deeply grateful for your philanthropic support.
Each school calendar year there are several opportunities to support JHCS. Our two primary fundraising streams are the Annual Appeal and the Gala. Combined, these make up our Community Fund. We hope the timeline below helps you navigate the major fundraising programs at JHCS. Many families wish to make this contribution prior to the end of the calendar year to take advantage of tax benefits.
The Annual Appeal is the most important and largest fundraising activity on campus each year and we strive for 100% participation by our families, staff and board of directors. We ask that a gift during this campaign be your philanthropic priority to JHCS. Some families choose to make their contribution during the Annual Appeal through Old Bill’s Fun Run, some choose to donate directly to the school early in the year, and some choose to pledge a specific amount to be given prior to the end of the school year.
The Gala is an annual event designed to celebrate our community, the culmination of school year, and allows each of us the chance to connect and come together. Funds raised reflect our final push to meet our annual fundraising goal, and support innovative teaching, growing and expanding our programming and tuition assistance.
Fundraising Timeline at JHCS
Old Bill’s Fun Run (Opens Mid-August- Ends Mid- September)
Who: Everyone! The whole community is invited to run and participate.
Why: Participation in Old Bill’s builds upon our community mission. It allows the JHCS to participate in the generous Community Foundation matching program.
Approximate $ raised annually: $70,000
Annual Appeal (July 1 - June 30) (Some families choose to give by Dec. 31 for tax purposes)
Who: Current families, board members, faculty, staff, grandparents, friends
Why: Supports teaching excellence and fills the gap between the cost of education and tuition and fees.
Approximate $ raised annually: $750,000
Gala (Spring Event)
Who: Families, community members, faculty, staff, board members
Why: Annual celebration of community, connection, and diversity at JHCS. Funds raised support tuition assistance, excellence in teaching, program enhancements.
Approximate $ raised annually: takes us over the finish line of our fundraising goals
Phone: 307-733-5427 ext. 150
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: PO Box 6787, Jackson, WY 83002
Annual Appeal
The Annual Appeal is the cornerstone fundraising effort at Jackson Hole Community School. Funds in this yearly campaign are unrestricted and complete our operating budget. In addition, they provide the support we need to expand the breadth and depth of our curriculum, to attract and retain faculty, maintain our commitment to low student-teacher ratios and sustain the operation and maintenance of our facilities. Student enrichment, academic programming, experiential education and teaching excellence benefit directly from contributions to the Annual Appeal.
As is customary with most independent schools, tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a JHCS education. The Annual Appeal supports the gap between the cost of tuition and the actual expense of educating each student. It relieves the burden of fundraising from multiple special events and provides the funds necessary for the program enhancements and projects needed to maintain educational excellence.
Our generous community supports the mission of JHCS. While we invite you to participate in any of our fundraising programs, we ask that all parents and constituents contribute to the Annual Appeal. The Annual Appeal helps JHCS grow from its roots. Every gift above the cost of the gap funds the aspirational projects that make us better and provide the extra margin of excellence not afforded by tuition alone.
As you plan your philanthropic giving for the year we hope you will consider JHCS in your top three. Your gift, no matter the size, has a direct impact on the excellence of our school and makes a difference in the lives of JHCS students by empowering their future, not only in college, but in life.
Questions? Please contact Catherine Harrison at [email protected] or 307-733-5427 ext. 150
Old Bill's Fun Run
The Old Bill’s Fun Run 2021 Giving Season ends on Friday, September 17, 2021
Thank you so much for your support of our school!
Kicking off our annual giving is the community wide Old Bill’s Fun Run. Participation in OBFR builds our community, our connection to people and place and is a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to participate in giving. Additionally, our participation in this event allows the Jackson Hole Community School access to the generous match funding raised by the Community Foundation. Amplifying our fundraising efforts through the community match is a terrific opportunity for JHCS to build our fundraising dollars by leaving no funds on the table. Each year our goal is to meet or exceed the $30,000 minimum necessary in order to maximize the community match.
Community is the backbone of all that we believe in at JHCS. Old Bill’s provides a terrific learning opportunity for our students as they navigate the world and head out on their own, we want each student to understand the value of community participation and supporting those around you.
To make a donation on behalf of JHCS click here and select Jackson Hole Community School.
For questions about Old Bill's Fun Run or information on our giving programs, please contact Catherine Harrison, Fundraising & Marketing Manager.
307-733-5427 ext. 150