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Annual Fund

Our 2025-2026
Annual Fund Opportunity

The Annual Fund makes everything that happens at New Canaan Country School possible. Like most independent schools, we are self-supporting. Our robust curriculum, outstanding faculty, and beautiful facilities are made possible by tuition, charitable contributions, and interest from our endowment. Like most independent schools, tuition does not cover the full cost of educating each child. 

We encourage everyone to contribute, including parents, alumni, alumni parents, faculty and staff, grandparents, friends, and foundations. Your gift says you believe in Country School. We are grateful for every contribution.

Marisa and Michael DiBiasio, parents of Caroline DiBiasio ’22

“Today the person before us is balanced, happy, respectful, organized, caring and ready for her next chapter. She has grown into a confident young woman on a supported path full of discovery, friendship, challenges and opportunities. We are so grateful.”

The Annual Fund is Country School’s top funding priority.

At NCCS, tuition and fees fund 83% of our expenses. Annual Fund gifts account for more than 6% of our annual budget. They help bridge the budget gap between tuition and the cost of our high-quality education, which is approximately $7,500 per student. 

Your support of our Annual Fund provides immediate, flexible-use resources to fund essentials not covered by tuition each academic year.

Our 2025-2026 Annual Fund launches on September 18 at our Annual Meeting. By making your gift or pledge in the fall, you can help ensure that we meet our operating budget and fully fund all our programs and activities. A pledge is a commitment to make a gift payable any time before the end of our fiscal year on June 30.

We are grateful for all contributions from all community members and aim for 100% participation from our current school families.

For more information, please contact Diane Briggs.  

List of 1 items.

  • Ambassadors

    Co-Chairs
    Paul Hudson
    Matt Lasko
    Dasha Rettew

    Katie Bisbee '91
    Ryan Marie Brooks
    Adam Casella
    Ali DiBiasio
    Marissa DiBiasio
    Alex Figueroa
    Noël Gilbert
    Polly Grube
    Diana Holdtman
    Sarah Young Kilcullen ’98
    Tatiana Mendoza
    Natalia Milla Enciso
    Ryan Nally
    Annie and Alex Phillips
    Chris Simon
    Rebecca Thornton '92

List of 4 items.

  • $1.5m

    Our 2025-26 Annual Fund Goal

  • 6/30

    Deadline for the 2025-26 Annual Fund is June 30, 2026.

  • 850+

    Number of donations to last year’s Annual Fund

  • $4,000

    The average gift from school families

Annual Fund FAQs

Please contact Diane Briggs with any additional questions.

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • Why should I give to the Annual Fund?

    The Annual Fund is essential to our daily operations, supporting faculty, curriculum, financial aid, arts, athletics, and more.  Your gift helps bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of an NCCS education. Gifts to the Annual Fund are 100% tax-deductible.   

  • How much should I give?

    Every gift matters. We ask all families to make NCCS a philanthropic priority and give at a level that is personally significant and best matches your capacity to give.  The average annual fund gift from school families is  $4,000, and leadership giving starts at $7,500, the per-student gap between tuition income and the true cost of an NCCS education.

  • Why not raise tuition to cover 100% of the operating budget?

    Keeping tuition lower than the full cost of education allows independent schools to remain accessible to a broader range of families. Philanthropy helps us maintain excellence without placing the full burden on tuition. Donations have ranged from $10 to more than $100,000. Every gift helps close the gap between tuition and the cost of a Country School education, and all gifts are fully tax-deductible.  

  • Does my gift make a difference

    Yes! Every contribution, no matter the size, directly impacts your child, their classmates, and every teacher. Collectively, your gifts fund the experiences that define a Country School education.

  • Do gifts to Horizons support NCCS?

    Since its founding in 1964, Horizons has been an integral and special part of NCCS. Because of its unique mission, Horizons fundraises for its operating budget separately, and gifts to Horizons do not count towards the NCCS Annual Fund. 

  • What is the Endowment?

    Country School’s endowment is a significant investment portfolio that helps ensure our long-term financial strength and supports our mission for generations to come. Much like a savings account for the future, it generates annual income while the principal remains intact, providing a stable source of funding year after year. Newly endowed funds may be established with a gift of $100,000 or more and are often structured as a multi-year pledge. Donors may also direct gifts of any amount to existing funds that reflect their interests and the school’s evolving needs.
    Learn More

  • What about Capital Campaigns?

    Capital campaigns enable independent schools to fund larger projects, such as the construction of new buildings or major renovations of existing facilities, or to add to the endowment. Our next capital campaign is in its early stages with a goal of $25 million to enhance our outdoor learning spaces and grow our endowment. Capital Campaign gifts are often multi-year commitments, and pledges may be paid over three to five years. Every member of the Country School community will be encouraged to participate. 
    Learn More

Giving Circles

Leadership Giving Circles
  • Country School Circle
    $50,000+
  • President’s Circle
    $35,000–$49,000
  • Head’s Circle
    $25,000–$34,999
  • Grace House Circle
    $15,000–$24,999
  • Ponus Ridge Circle
    $10,000–$14,999
  • Frogtown Circle
    $7,500–$9,999
  • Maple Circle
    $5,000–$7,499
  • Blue and White Circle
    $2,500–$4,999
  • Community Circle
    $1,000–$2,499
  • Friends’ Circle
    Up to $999

Alumni Leadership Giving Circles
  • Alumni Leadership Circle
    $1,000 and up
  • Alumni Friends Circle
    $500–$999
  • Young Alumni Circle (15th Reunion and younger)
    $100 and up

Everyone Has Something to Give

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

Links & Resources

Accreditations

New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.