Frequently Asked Questions
Show AllI have received information about the Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign. What is the difference between them?
An Annual Fund is a fundraising initiative that occurs every year, whose proceeds are spent in the same fiscal year and are used to augment the general operating budget. At Lake Worth Christian School these funds underpin the activities of our students and faculty and are critical to the daily operation of the School.
A Capital Fund supports the capital expenditures of the School, and funds are raised through a capital campaign. Capital campaigns in general last for specific periods of time and raise funds for very specific physical projects or long-term financial objectives such as an endowment.
Lake Worth Christian School is a 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit corporation. Gifts to the Annual Fund and for Capital gifts are tax-deductible. Please consult with your financial advisor on the tax advantages of a donation to Lake Worth Christian School.
What is the LWCS “Create the Future” Annual Fund and how is it used?
The Annual Fund is comprised of money raised through voluntary giving during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). All funds are used to augment the general operating budget of the School and thereby allow for the many extras that make the Lake Worth Christian School experience unique. The funds also help keep our faculty salaries competitive, providing resources for professional development, for maintaining the quality of the athletic and fine arts equipment and facilities, and for supporting academic departments. One of the most beneficial characteristics of the Annual Fund is that it allows our teachers the flexibility to take advantage of exciting opportunities that arise for the students throughout the year.
We cannot afford to make a large gift to the Annual Fund. Should we even give?
Participation in the Annual Fund on any level is extremely important for several reasons. First, we are a community predicated on mutual support of one another, at all levels and in many ways, and ensuring that the Annual Fund meets its goal is therefore a responsibility shared by all members of the community.
Second, participation rates are important indicators of the confidence our constituents have in the School. They demonstrate to grant-making foundations that our community responds when called upon to help, and that there is broad support for our mission and goals.
Finally, all the seemingly small gifts added together make a significant impact on our total dollars raised for the Annual Fund.
How much should we give to the Annual Fund?
Only you can decide. A good rule of thumb in determining the amount of an annual fund gift is that it should be an amount that is replicable every year. It is the Annual Fund after all! The average gift to the Annual Fund tends to be between $1,000 and $1,500; however, gifts can range from $5 to $10,000 or more.
If you are in a position to give at a significant level, we hope that you will consider becoming a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet ($10,000 or more) or the Gold Society (from $5,000 to $9,999). Your contribution at one of these levels will have a demonstrable impact on the daily lives of our students and teachers.
If giving at a high level is not your choice, please do not refrain from participating. Lake Worth Christian School strives to build a history of wide participation in the Annual Fund, and every gift truly makes a difference in our small community.
What is a matching gift and how do I submit for one?
Some companies will match gifts made by employees to non-profit organizations such as Lake Worth Christian School. Many companies do not readily advertise their matching gift program so please ask your company’s Human Resources Administrator. If your company has a matching gift program, you will receive a form to send along with your check to Lake Worth Christian School. We will fill in and mail the form. Lake Worth Christian School will credit you for the gift and the match as well. A corporate matching gift to Lake Worth Christian School will have an even greater effect.
I cannot afford to pay my gift in full right now. Do I have the ability to pay in installments?
Yes, we will be happy to develop a payment schedule with you that will permit you to comfortably complete payment of your gift by June 30. Some people will choose to make a pledge early in the year to signal their commitment to annual giving and make periodic pledge payments throughout the year. We will send you a reminder in the spring, but you will have until June 30 to pay your gift in full. Making an early pledge significantly helps create momentum for the Annual Fund in the fall. Once your pledge is received you will not be sent any further solicitations.
Who should I contact with questions about the Annual Fund?
For more information on making a gift to the Annual Fund, please contact Bill Harwood, Director of Development at bharwood@lwcs.org or call him at 561-586-8216 Ext. 24.
What is the “Back to the Future” Capital Campaign?
Lake Worth Christian School has completed some Phases of the Back to the Future Capital Campaign, which was divided into several phases aimed at completing the Child Development Center and the Athletic Complex according to the Master Plan. Over 1 million dollars has been raised to date allowing for the completion of our Athletic Fields and the infrastructure for the Child Development Center/Elementary Expansion. This was the largest amount that Lake Worth Christian School has ever raised in a capital campaign and a testament to the generosity, vision, and enthusiasm of many donors.
Should I make a Capital Gift instead of an Annual Fund gift?
We ask that everyone always give to the Annual Fund. Gifts for the Annual Fund are solicited every year for current, expendable funds. The Annual Fund must stay strong so that the quality of the daily lives and experiences of our students and faculty remain extraordinary.
When we are in a Capital Campaign, we ask that everyone give to both the Capital Campaign and the Annual Fund. Capital gifts (1) allow the School to complete the construction of our campus and (2) can provide permanent financial assets for the School through Endowment gifts. We often request Capital gifts for special construction projects when we are not conducting a Capital Campaign. We appreciate support for these purposes in addition to the Annual Fund if this is possible for you.
How does Lake Worth Christian School decide on which construction projects to undertake?
The construction of new facilities is driven by the needs of the curriculum. The strength of the academic programs and the needs of the students lead the way for determining which new facilities are a priority at any given time.
How much does one give for Capital purposes?
Capital gifts are generally larger than Annual Fund gifts due in part to the scope of the projects funded using capital dollars. Capital gifts are generally special gifts that vary from person to person depending upon individual decisions within a specific timeframe. These gifts are often pledged over two or three years, depending upon the amount of the gift.
If we were to make a pledge to the “Back to the Future” campaign but could not afford to pay it all at once, could I pay over time?
Yes, it is very common, in fact usual, for donors to take several years to pay their pledge in full during a capital campaign. We would happily work with you to set up a comfortable payment schedule.
Can we make a gift to Lake Worth Christian School through a Bequest?
If you make a provision for Lake Worth Christian School in your will, it will help ensure that the school will be financially strong for generations to come. A Bequest can deliver a specific dollar amount or asset to the School or it can give us a percentage of the balance remaining in your estate after taxes and specific Bequests have been paid. Those people who have made Lake Worth Christian School a beneficiary in their wills can become members of the Legacy Circle.
For more information about including Lake Worth Christian School in your estate plans, please contact Bill Harwood, Director of Development at 561-586-8216 Ext. 24 or at bharwood@lwcs.org
Who should I contact for Capital Gifts?
For more information about the Back to the Future Campaign or making a Capital gift at any time, please contact Bill Harwood, Director of Development at 561-586-8216 Ext. 24 or at bharwood@lwcs.org.
How can we make our gift to Lake Worth Christian School’s Annual Fund or Capital Campaign?
1. Go to Online Giving or use the Donate Now button on the Home Page and use a credit card (American Express, Visa, MC, Discover) to make your donation
2. Downline the Giving Form from this website and send a check payable to Lake Worth Christian School to this address:
Lake Worth Christian School
Director of Development
7592 High Ridge Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
3. Transfer securities by contacting Bill Harwood, Director of Development at 561-586-8216 Ext. 24 or at bharwood@lwcs.org.
For details on making a planned or estate gift, please consult Ways to Give or call the Development Office at 561-586-8216 Ext. 24.
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