Annual Giving

List of 14 frequently asked questions.

• What is the GSB Annual Fund?

  The GSB Annual Fund is Gill St. Bernard’s largest annual charitable giving campaign that runs in conjunction with the school's fiscal year of July 1 - June 30. Tax-deductible donations go directly into the operating budget and provide immediate benefit for students and teachers. Check out the Powtoon on this page for more information!

• How can I make my tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund?

   
  A. Credit or Debit Card

  Click here to make a donation online using your credit or debit card. You can also call Gwen Paxon in the development office and make a gift over the phone at 908-234-1611 ext. 205
  
  B. Recurring Credit or Debit Card - "Set it and forget it!"

  You can make your gift in scheduled installments. Click here to be directed to our giving page. Under recurring gifts, select recurring. The amount will be divided according to the payment frequency you select (monthly or annually), and the resulting amount will automatically be charged to your card at the selected intervals. If you need assistance, please contact Gwen Paxon at 908-234-1611 ext. 205.
  
  C. Check - the most common way to give

  Please make your check payable to GSB or Gill St. Bernard’s School. You can place your check in one of our pre-addressed envelopes or address your own envelope to: Development Office, Gill St. Bernard’s School, St. Bernard’s Rd, Gladstone, NJ 07934. 
  
  D. Stock/Security Transfer

  Making a gift of appreciated stock or bonds may be more advantageous than giving cash. You can make this gift in a number of ways:
  
  Electronic Transfer
  You can  transfer the securities electronically. Account information is listed below. To assist in our tracking, please email your name, the stock being transferred, and the gift intention to Jim Diverio at jdiverio@gsbschool.org or Lori Salerno at lsalerno@redhookmgmt.com. For any questions, please contact Lori Salerno or Bill Conger at Red Hook Management at 973-998-6345.
  DTC# 1064
  Charles Schwab & Co.
  Account 1235-7463
  Account# Gill St. Bernard's School
  
  Hand-Deliver
  You can bring your certificate to Gwen Paxon or Jim Diverio at GSB, or mail it without any endorsement or assignment to: Development Office, Gill St. Bernard’s School, St. Bernard’s Rd, Gladstone, NJ 07934. Please enclose a letter stating the purpose of your gift. In a separate envelope, mail (or hand deliver) to the same address a stock or bond power for each security, left blank except for your signature. Please enclose a copy of your letter stating the purpose of your gift.
  
  E. Planned Giving: The Founders Society

  There are so many other ways that you can give to Gill St. Bernard's which may actually be more financially advantageous to you and your family. Please visit our Planned Giving website here to learn more about how you can join the Founders Society and please contact Gwen Paxon at 908-234-1611 ext. 205 or gpaxon@gsbschool.org or Jim Diverio at 908-234-1611 ext. 210 or jdiverio@gsbschool.org for questions about gift planning.
  
  F. Wire Transfer

  You or your broker should call Gwen Paxon at 908-234-1611 ext. 205 for instructions, and to alert us to notify our transfer agent. Please send a letter to the Development Office confirming the details and purpose of your gift. 
  
  G. Cash
  Please hand-deliver to the Development Office. Please do not mail. We are grateful for every gift and take as much care and precaution as possible with all donations.

• Who is asked to donate?

  Everyone in the Gill St. Bernard’s school community is asked to give — trustees, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, senior students, as well as faculty and staff. Last year, 100% of the members of the board of trustees gave, 65% of families, and 51% of faculty.

• Why do we have an Annual Fund?

  Like most independent schools and colleges, Gill St. Bernard’s uses a financial model that relies upon tuition revenues plus charitable contributions to fund its annual operating expenses.

• How is the Annual Fund different from other fund raisers?

  The GSB Annual Fund is different because it is the school’s largest and most important fund raiser, and it is the only fund raiser that is built into the school’s annual budget. Annual Fund donations do not sit in an account to be used for students ten years from now. Every gift to the Annual Fund has an immediate impact because it is used within that fiscal year. GSB has balanced its budget for the last twelve years with the help of Annual Fund giving.

• Why doesn't tuition cover the total cost of each student?

  The GSB Annual Fund helps moderate tuition levels to ensure that GSB continues to receive as many outstanding students as possible, providing a very healthy environment for peer development. It also allows donors to help fund school operations on a tax-advantaged basis.

• Where does the money go?

  Contributions to the GSB Annual Fund support all areas of our school: academic programs, athletics, arts, and others for students from pre-school through twelfth grade. This funding also allows teachers and administrators to seize important learning opportunities that arise throughout the year.

• Can I designate my GSB Annual Fund gift to a specific area?

  Yes, you can designate your gift to a specific area of the school, provided that the need exists. Please call Jim Diverio in the Development Office at 908-234-1611 ext. 210 to discuss your interest and the school will be as flexible as possible. An additional, undesignated gift to the GSB Annual Fund will help GSB to immediately provide the resources needed for teachers and students.

• Is my contribution tax-deductible?

  Yes. Gill St. Bernard’s School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution. Every gift is fully tax-deductible.

• When should I contribute?

  Gifts are accepted at all times. The school’s fiscal year runs from July 1 – June 30. For tax purposes, gifts made on or before December 31 are eligible to be claimed as a current-year tax deduction.

• Is my participation important?

  Absolutely! Every gift is valued and vital. Your donation makes a strong statement of support and may lead to contributions from other individuals, foundations, and corporations.

• Who should I contact if I have questions?

  Jim Diverio – Director of Development – 908-234-1611 ext. 210, jdiverio@gsbschool.org

  Gwen Paxon – Director of the Annual Fund & Planned Giving – 908-234-1611 ext. 205, gpaxon@gsbschool.org

• Do you participate in company matching gift programs?

  Many employers match charitable contributions by their employees. Please visit http://www1.matchinggifts.com/gsbschool/ to see if your employer or your spouse’s employer will match your donation. You can also visit your Human Resources office for this information or contact the development office.

• What's that giving website again?

  You can donate at www.gsbschool.org/gift or at our mobile giving site at www.gsbschool.cloverdonations.com/gift/.