Endowment Gifts - Over the past ten years, the School's Endowment has doubled to $1,600,000. While we have made progress, at its current level the Endowment earns under $75,000 per year - less than 1% of our annual revenue - and simply does not support our vision. It is imperative that we significantly increase invested funds and establish a more secure financial base.

Our five-year financial plan calls for the School to become less dependent on tuition. Currently tuition and related fees provide more than 86% of income for our annual operating budget compared to the (NAIS) benchmark of 80%. To meet these high standards, we must add a minimum of $2 million to our Endowment while at the same time, increasing the Annual Fund to over $500,000.

There are some options to consider when you make an endowment gift.

Unrestricted Endowment - A gift to the Unrestricted Endowment Fund is added to the School's professionally managed invested funds. Income generated from the fund is used at the School's discretion, where there is the greatest need.

Permanently Restricted Endowment - Several permanently restricted funds have been established in the School's Endowment.

Examples include the following:

The Mariners' Scholar Fund - this fund was created with a $250,000 grant from a private foundation in 2004.   Beginning in 2005, this fund made available full-need financial aid for an upper school student applying from an area public school. The goal is to increase the fund to over $1 million in order to enroll a new Mariner Scholar each year.

Endowed Teaching Chair Program - To emphasize a commitment to our faculty, Rocky Hill School has established the Endowed Teaching Chair Program. We have set a goal to establish a minimum of 15 or more; one chair in each grade and/or department throughout the School through fundraising. This is a priority of the Mariners' Campaign and offers donors the opportunity to make a permanent investment to support outstanding teaching at Rocky Hill School in perpetuity.

The Edward E. Ford Faculty Fund - this fund was created after raising $250,000 in 2004, when donors met a 1:4 challenge offered by the Edward E. Ford Foundation. This new endowment fund supports faculty professional development and compensation. This is an important step in providing the best for our distinguished faculty.

The Endowment also includes several named scholarship and award funds. For more information on how to make a gift to the Endowment, please contact Beth DeGerlia, Director of Development, at bdegerlia@rockyhill.org or by phone at 401-884-9070 ext. 129.

The Rocky Hill School Foundation - Leaving a legacy to the people and charitable institutions you believe in is the single most important thing that anyone can do to insure continued care and support for their well being into the future. In other words, your will is the necessary document that lets you decide about the distribution of your assets. Otherwise, the government will make these decisions for you.

With this in mind, members of the Rocky Hill School community may wish to join others who have included Rocky Hill School in their financial planning by making a bequest. While there are many ways to create a legacy to benefit Rocky Hill, adding the School as a beneficiary of your estate is the simplest, and can be easily accomplished by talking to your attorney. Click here for an example of a simple bequest form is available for you to review and discuss with your attorney and/pr financial advisors.

Bequest Form - Example 

In recognition and appreciation, you will be invited to become a member of the Rocky Hill School Foundation. Members of the Foundation will enjoy a special camaraderie, and will meet from time to time to celebrate the School's accomplishments and to hear what is planned for the future.