Do gifts support specific teams or grades?

All gifts support the Hackley Fund, which benefits the entire student experience. However, donors can choose to make their gift in honor of a specific team or grade so it counts toward the participation challenges.

How does the Upper School Athletics Competition work?

Donors can make a gift in honor of their favorite Upper School team. The teams with the highest participation will earn prize funding for their programs, thanks to support from the Hackley Alumni Association.

Do I need to make a new gift for it to count toward a sports team?

Yes. To count toward a team’s total in the Upper School Athletics Competition, the gift must be made during the challenge (March 11–13).

How are team goals determined?

Each team’s gift goal is set based on its roster size. This way, every team has a fair target that reflects the number of players, making the competition proportional and fun for everyone.

If I already made a gift to the Hackley Fund this year, does it count for my child’s grade?

Yes. If you have already made a gift to the Hackley Fund this year, it will automatically count toward your child’s Lower or Middle School grade participation total.

What if I have children in multiple divisions?

Your gift will count for each of your children’s grades in the Lower and Middle School challenges.

What if my child plays on an Upper School team and I also have children in Lower or Middle School?

You can support both!
A gift made during the challenge can count toward the Upper School team you select, and it will also count toward the Lower or Middle School grade participation for your other children.

Why are contributions to the Hackley Fund important? Doesn’t tuition cover the cost of my child’s education? 

There is a gap between the tuition dollars the school receives and the actual costs of operating the institution. At Hackley, tuition and fees cover approximately 84% of our annual operating costs. Hackley is not unique in this regard. Most independent schools seek to limit tuition costs and bridge the resulting budget gap with philanthropy.

How much should I give?  Gifts of any size are appreciated and make an impact. Hackley Fund gifts range from $5 to $50,000+. We only ask that you consider giving as generously as you are able. Participation is more important than the amount you give, and every gift counts equally when it comes to participation.

Why does my participation matter?

• Participation reflects parent confidence and commitment to Hackley.
• Hackley alumni view parent participation as a marker of how the school is doing today.
• Annual gifts help cover critical operating costs and fund over 7% of our annual budget.
• Participation is a key measure of our School's financial health. 

Should I make a gift to the Hackley Fund every year? 

We ask every member of our community to participate in the Hackley Fund every year because the Fund provides more than 7% of our yearly operating budget. 

Are gifts to Hackley tax deductible? 

Hackley School is an exempt organization as described in section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Gifts of appreciated stock may offer additional tax benefits. Donors will receive an acknowledgment and receipt for their taxes.