Guide to Giving
The Power of
Community
Welcome There has never been a more exciting time to be part of New Canaan Country School. From exceptional teachers and dynamic programs to the joyful energy that fills our campus each day, there is so much to celebrate and even more to look forward to.
Philanthropy at NCCS is rooted in our commitment to our mission: We create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose.
Like most independent schools, tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a Country School education. Our Annual Fund helps bridge that gap, providing essential support for the everyday moments that define the NCCS experience. A strong Annual Fund fuels our mission and makes our program exceptional. What also sets us apart is our $73 million endowment, which puts us in the top 5% of independent schools nationwide. Generations of Country School families have made this possible and ensured our long-term financial and institutional strength. And through our newly launched campaign, Deep Roots, Bright Futures: Our Campaign for People, Place & Program, we are building on that legacy and investing in an even brighter future for our community. This guide highlights the many ways philanthropy strengthens NCCS. We invite you to join us in this important work, and encourage you to contact our Advancement Team to learn more. Thank you for your partnership and for all you do to advance the mission and momentum of our very special school. Here’s to another century at the corner of Frogtown and Ponus.
Aaron Cooper, Head of School
Daniel J. DiBiasio ’92, President, Board of Trustees
Giving Circles
Annual Fund
Leadership Giving Circles Country School Circle.................$50,000 + President’s Circle........$35,000–$49,999 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
The Annual Fund is our top philanthropic priority and the primary way community members — parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends — support and enhance the NCCS experience each year. Annual Fund gifts help keep tuition increases modest while enriching every aspect of a Country School education, including innovative teaching, engaging curriculum, financial aid, faculty development, arts, athletics, financial sustainability, technology, and campus stewardship.
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
Each contribution, whether $50 or $50,000, is put to work where it is needed most during the fiscal year, from July 1 through June 30. Last year, 89 leadership gifts of $7,500+ helped sustain the exceptional opportunities and experiences that benefit every NCCS student. Early participation in the fall or on Giving Day provides critical momentum, helping us plan effectively and confidently throughout the year.
Our Annual Fund helps close the $7,500
per-student gap between tuition income
and the actual cost of an NCCS education.
Alumni Leadership Giving Circles Alumni Leadership Circle: $1,000 and up Alumni Friends Circle: $500–$999 Young Alumni Circle (15th Reunion & younger): $100 and up
Save the Date!
83%
NCCS Tuition & Fees
17%
Giving Day October 22
Annual Giving, income from gifts invested in the endowment, and additional revenue sources.
Rendering of Farm & Outdoor Learning Center
Deep Roots, Bright Futures
Our Campaign for People, Place & Program New Canaan Country School is in the early phase of Deep Roots, Bright Futures: Our Campaign for People, Place & Program, a bold investment in all that makes Country School exceptional. Grounded in our mission and longstanding educational philosophy, this comprehensive campaign strengthens the experiences, spaces, and opportunities that define a Country School education while preparing for the future. NCCS is doubling down on what we know matters most: active, joyful learning; meaningful time outdoors; exceptional teaching; strong relationships; and a steadfast commitment to generosity, leadership, and purpose. With a goal of $30 million, Deep Roots, Bright Futures includes support for the Annual Fund alongside investments in endowment growth to sustain outstanding faculty, innovative programming, financial aid, and the long-term strength of the school, as well as enhanced outdoor learning spaces that expand opportunities for exploration, discovery, and connection with the natural world across our campus. Together, these investments will help ensure that Country School remains a place where children learn deeply, play joyfully, and grow with confidence for generations to come.
Deep Roots, Bright Futures Scan the QR code to learn more about our campaign for People, Place & Program.
Endowment Country School’s endowment helps ensure long-term financial strength and supports our mission for generations to come. Annual income from the endowment provides lasting support for priorities across school life, including faculty excellence, innovative programming, financial aid, and strategic initiatives, while preserving the principal in perpetuity.
Rendering of Upgraded Playing Fields
As of June 30, 2026, the school’s endowment totaled more than $73 million across 61 funds.
Outdoor Learning Spaces
Newly endowed funds may be established with a gift of $100,000 or more, and donors may also contribute to existing funds that reflect their interests and the school’s evolving needs. Endowment growth is also a key priority of the Deep Roots, Bright Futures Campaign, which has already inspired the creation of 13 new endowed funds that will support Country School students and teachers for generations to come.
Progress Update o Early Childhood Playground
o Middle School Playground o Stevens Terrace
We are deeply grateful to the many donors whose vision and generosity continue to strengthen the school through endowed giving.
o Upgraded Playing Fields o Expanded NCCS Woods & Trails o Farm & Outdoor Learning Center
Scan to see the full list of NCCS Endowed Funds.
Campaign Timeline Organizational Phase
Leadership Phase
Public Phase
May 2024–June 2025
July 2025–June 2028
July 2028–June 2030
Campaign Initiatives: $30 Million Goal Over 6 Years Endowment Growth: $15M • $10M for Financial Aid & Sustainability
• $5M for Teachers &
Programmatic Innovation
Outdoor Learning Spaces: $5M • Playground & Stevens Terrace • Upgraded Playing Fields • Farm & Outdoor Learning Center • Expanded NCCS Woods & Trails
Annual Fund: $10M • Six years of critical dollars to support the annual operating budget
Create a Lasting Legacy The George & Jill Stevens Horizons Scholars Fund:
Expanding Opportunity for Generations to Come The newly established George & Jill Stevens Horizons Scholars Fund honors two individuals whose vision and generosity continue to shape lives more than sixty years later. Established by the Stevens family in honor of their parents, the endowed fund provides financial aid for Horizons students who continue their educational journey at New Canaan Country School. George Stevens served as Headmaster of NCCS from 1957 to 1984, while Jill Stevens was a beloved teacher, mentor, and advocate for children. Together, they believed deeply in the power of education to change lives. In 1964, they helped launch a summer enrichment program at NCCS for children from neighboring communities. What began as a bold local initiative grew into Horizons, a nationally recognized program serving thousands of students across the country. The fund reflects the Stevens family’s enduring commitment to educational opportunity and will provide lasting support for generations of Horizons Scholars at Country School. It has already inspired support from alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of the school, including many members of the Class of 1976 as they celebrated their 50th Reunion.
Scan here to learn more about this special fund.
Planned Giving The Welles Society, named for the school’s first Headmaster, Henry H. Welles, recognizes individuals who have included NCCS in their estate plans. Often called legacy gifts, these may include naming the school as a beneficiary in your will or other long-term giving arrangements. These gifts can offer meaningful tax and financial benefits while helping ensure a vibrant future for Country School. If you have already included NCCS in your estate plans, we hope you will share your intentions with us so that we may thank you and welcome you as a member of the Welles Society. We are also happy to discuss planned giving opportunities, answer questions, or help you explore options that reflect your values and vision for the future of Country School.
Giving FAQs 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 donate 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.
When should I give? The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, and the best time to give is in the fall, on or before Giving Day on October 22. Your early support goes to work immediately, providing students and teachers with the resources they need from the very start.
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.
Ways to Give Whether you are considering your first gift or looking to deepen your impact, we are here to help you find ways to give that fit your needs. • Gifts Online: Use major credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Venmo.
• Gifts by Check: Checks payable to New Canaan Country School may be mailed to: New Canaan Country School 635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, CT 06840
• Gifts of Securities: Please alert a member of the
Advancement Team in advance of making a gift of DTC-eligible stock or securities, and use the following contact information for the transfer: Bank name: Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. DTC Number: 0571 Credit Account: G42-0024262 New Canaan Country School, Inc. Phone: (203) 975-2006
• Wire Transfers: To electronically transfer funds, please contact our team for wire instructions.
Our Advancement Team
We look forward to speaking with you. Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 Director of Advancement (203) 801-5687 • hcasella@countryschool.net Diane Briggs Associate Director of Advancement & Director of Annual Giving (203) 801-5619 • dbriggs@countryschool.net Lexi Cimmino Director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement Events (203) 801-5633 • lcimmino@countryschool.net Nanette Gantz Advancement Database Administrator (203) 801-5600 • ngantz@countryschool.net
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAF): Support NCCS
Alissa Golden Director of Campaign Stewardship & Planned Giving (203) 801-5695 • agolden@countryschool.net
• Matching Gifts: Company matching can double
Brooke Cavanaugh Reed ’01 Advancement & Alumni Associate (203) 801-5637 • breed@countryschool.net
and receive favorable tax benefits by donating via a DAF. To learn more about DAFs, please visit our website. your gift to NCCS. Please visit our website under Ways to Give for our matching gift database. Our Tax ID Number is 06-0646765.
Scan or visit our website to make a gift today!
635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, CT 06840 (203) 801-5600 countryschool.net/give