Report on the State of Institutional Advancement How the Archmere Community Stepped up to Support our Students During the Pandemic As a member of the Archmere community, I am incredibly proud of what our school was able to do for all of our students last school year. Despite the very significant challenges and uncertainties imposed by the pandemic, our students were able to attend classes in person five days a week safely. During the brief periods when it was prudent for our students to learn from home, they could still interact live with their teachers and classmates using a sophisticated virtual platform. And despite limitations imposed by the pandemic, our students were able to participate in robust extracurricular activities, including full sports seasons, choral and instrumental concerts, plays, community service activities, the Kairos retreat, and even proms—which are critical to their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
generosity enabled us to raise $550,298 for the annual Archmere Fund—exceeding our goal of $500,000 and, more importantly, ensuring that we could meet the school’s increased operational expenses and our students’ additional financial aid needs. During Challenge Week alone, 256 of you stepped up and donated over $142,000 to the Archmere Fund! We extend special thanks to the very generous anonymous donors who provided matching gifts to drive the success of Challenge Week. We also want to recognize our Board of Trustees. In addition to the time and professional expertise and guidance they provide throughout the year to ensure the success of Archmere, every Trustee made a personal donation to the hArchmere Fund. Through the generosity of our donors, we were also able to grow the endowment last year by $606,887, helping secure the long-term financial health of Archmere Academy and ensuring we can continue to provide scholarships and financial aid to future students. As you review the details in the following pages about the many donors who supported Archmere last year, I hope you share my pride in being part of a community that stepped up and shared their resources to help our students during a very challenging year.
While all of this was happening at Archmere, many of our families were also directly impacted by the pandemic. Along with the personal hardships and incredible emotional toll we all suffered, many of our families experienced changed economic situations. All of our students were able to stay at Archmere, however, because of the support of so many. The Archmere community can feel proud that we were able to support our fellow Auks in so many ways.
We are also incredibly grateful to the many volunteers who shared their time and their creativity last year by raising funds and helping our school community feel connected, despite the limitations of the pandemic. The Mothers’ Guild, the Fathers’ Club, and the Alumni Association held several in-person events when it was possible, such as the annual Golf and Tennis Outing, the Senior Fashion Show, an after-prom event for seniors and faculty appreciation lunches. They also helped keep our community members engaged and connected in innovative new ways, such as installing the “Spirit Rock” on campus for our student artists to decorate, providing family portrait opportunities in the Patio, hosting a virtual wine tasting, and “Auking” senior class members at their homes with yard signs. Despite all the things that could not happen in person, our parent clubs raised over $45,000, and our Alumni Association raised over $20,000 for Archmere. Their creativity, hard work, and enthusiasm on behalf of our students have been truly inspirational.
Archmere’s success last year was made possible by the tireless efforts of the Archmere faculty and staff. While their efforts were herculean, they would not have been able to do what they did for our students without help from the entire Archmere Community.
Thank you again to all of our donors and volunteers for your ongoing support. If you have not yet made your gift to the Archmere Fund this year, please use the enclosed envelope or visit archmereacademy.com/giving. With your support, Archmere will emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever!
We are so very grateful to every one of our donors who made a gift to Archmere last year. Your 28
The Archmerean • fall 2021
Gratefully, Elaine Fry Reilly JD ’83, PP ’13, ‘17, ’20 Chief Advancement Officer
