The ESD Fund
The ESD Fund is the highest fundraising priority and the school’s first ask to the ESD community. It provides unrestricted support to the operating budget and donors can direct their gift among ESD’s eight institutional priorities.
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The ESD Fund FAQs
ESD's highest giving priority is The ESD Fund as it serves as an integral part of the School's annual operating budget.
Please review the frequently asked questions below for more information. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to Ka Bakewell, Director of The ESD Fund and Special Projects.
Where do The ESD Fund dollars go? |
The ESD Fund is fundamental to the School’s operating budget each year. Therefore, dollars raised ensure that the school can attract and support excellent faculty and staff, offer dynamic programming, and allow students access to technology. In these ways, the funds help to maintain small classroom sizes and makes possible professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff. The ESD Fund also enables the institution to offer financial aid opportunities that foster community. |
Why should I support The ESD Fund? |
Your gift is both a symbol and a tangible vote of confidence. It enables the leadership of the school to move forward with plans for the year. When our entire community embraces participation and generosity, we create the ESD experience that we all value and treasure. |
How does it fit into the ESD business model? |
The ESD Fund offers a tax-deductible opportunity to augment tuition revenue that supports the school’s operating budget. It allows the ESD community—parents, alumni, faculty, staff, board members, grandparents and friends of all financial circumstances—the ability to support the life of the school. This is a common practice for most independent schools throughout the country and is becoming more valuable as we continue to face challenging economic times and rising expenses. |
What is the difference between The ESD Fund and other fundraising efforts hosted by the Parents’ Association? |
All giving to ESD is greatly appreciated and offers important support to various areas of school life. The ESD Fund is a budgeted fundraising priority of the school because it offers significant, unrestricted operating support to ESD on a yearly basis. Other fundraising efforts hosted by the Parents’ Association, Booster Club, and other parent volunteer groups raise restricted dollars for special projects to build community and offer other ways for families to give of their time and resources to the school. These donations are counted toward your total contribution to the school but do not count for participation in The ESD Fund. |
Why give more this year than last year? |
The Board of Directors and Head of School are committed to minimizing tuition increases while continuing to offer every student an excellent education. The majority of any school budget is applied to people and facility maintenance, leaving little flexibility due to those fixed costs. The cost of providing an excellent education continues to increase significantly, putting pressure on the budget. We ask those who can stretch to please do so, given that not everyone can due to their current circumstances. |
What is the “Family of Funds” and how is it different from The ESD Fund? |
The Family of Funds is a subset of The ESD Fund. We believe you want to know exactly what your gifts accomplish and how they will be directed to the School’s expenses. The Family of Funds provides the opportunity to match your personal philanthropic preferences to ESD’s operating budget. When you make a gift to The ESD Fund, you will have the opportunity to direct that gift to one of the eight funds in the Family of Funds:
- Where ESD needs it most
- Academic Programs
- Athletics
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Faculty Professional Development
- Fine and Performing Arts
- Outdoor Education
- Technology
- Tuition Assistance
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Giving Societies
Our goal is to have every ESD community member demonstrate their support for our students and faculty through participation in the ESD Fund. Together, we can ensure that our students receive the distinctive ESD programming that sets our school apart.
Only you know whta a meaningful gift is to your family. Your participation at any level helps ensure the success of our campaign and communicates your commitment to sustaining and strengthening ESD for future generations.
Societas Fidelium |
- Founders Circle* $50,000+
- Head of School Circle* $25,000 - $49, 999
- Directors Circle* $15,000 - $24, 999
- Deans Circle* $10, 000 - $14, 999
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1974 Young Alumni Leadership |
- 1-4 years after graduation: $250 and above (2019-2023)
- 5-9 years after graduation: $500 and above (2014-2018)
- 10-15 years after graduation: $1,000 and above (2008-2013)
- 16+ years after graduation, $1,974 (1980 - 2007)
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Society '74 |
- Quarry Circle* $5,000 - $9,999
- Scholars Circle* $2,500 - $4,999
- 1974 Club* $1,974 - $2,499
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Additional Gift Levels |
- Pass It On Club: $1,000 - $1,973
- Community Club: $500 - $999
- Associates Club: $250 - $499
- Friends Club: Up to $249
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Special Recognition
Societas Fidelium
Launched in 2019, The ESD Fund established Societas Fidelium (Society of Loyalty) to honor donors whose annual gifts help sustain ESD's mission. For inclusion, gifts must be made by November 1 of the giving school year.
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Society ’74
Society '74, named in honor of the year ESD was founded, was launched in 2014 to recognize leadership annual giving to The ESD Fund.
Each spring, the Hobson Family Head of School Dave Baad and the Chair of the Board of Directors honors Society ’74 donors at a special reception in honor of leadership giving.
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Ways to Give
Thank you for your support!
The Episcopal School of Dallas accepts donations through various methods during the school's fiscal year of July 1 through June 30. Below are some of the most common ways to make a gift. If you do not see the information you need, please contact the Office of Advancement at 214-353-5795 or email.
Cash |
Checks may be sent by mail to:
The Episcopal School of Dallas
Attn: Office of Advancement
4100 Merrell Road
Dallas, Texas 75229
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Phone |
To make a gift or pledge over the phone please call the Office of Advancement at 214-353-5795. |
Online Giving |
To make a gift or pledge online, please use one of our two forms in the tabs above: Make an ESD Fund Gift or Pledge or Recurring Gift Online. VISA and MasterCard are accepted forms of payment. |
Transfer of Stock |
Please click here and complete the Transfer of Stock form to initiate a gift of stock or securities. Upon hitting submit, you will receive a confirmation email that will provide complete transfer information including the school’s electronic account information. For specific instructions, contact Gabrielle Griffin or 214-353-5860. |
Donor-Advised Fund |
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a philanthropic giving vehicle that provides an immediate tax benefit to you, and allows you to grant funds to charities of your choice over time. You can recommend a grant by contacting your sponsoring organization, or clients of Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and BNY Mellon can easily make a designation through the DAF Direct window on this page. The Episcopal School of Dallas' Tax ID is 75-1451116.
For more information, please email Kam Bakewell, Director of The ESD Fund and Special Events.
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Planned Gifts |
Planned Giving provides donors with the opportunity of making a larger gift than would otherwise be possible - and to create a legacy at ESD. Planned gifts can be made through your will, insurance or other financial instruments that meet your individual needs and circumstances. Please contact Denis Stokes, Chief Advancement Officer, for more information. |
Matching Gifts |
Does your employer (or your spouse's employer) have a matching gift program? If so, you can ask your company to match your support for ESD. You can double or even triple the value of your donation simply by notifying your employer of your gift. ESD maintains a database of many matching gift companies. You may need to provide ESD’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) on the form. That number is 75-1451116. To see if your company is listed. |
Other Gifts to The School
Thank you for your support of the people, programs, and Mission of The Episcopal School of Dallas.
If you would like to make a gift online, please use the form below.
For all other inquires, please contact Denis Stokes, Chief Advancement Officer.
Sustaining Our Mission Via Endowment
Great schools rely on endowment funding to maintain exceptional outcomes for students.
Imagine ESD’s continued trajectory with a substantially stronger endowment. Your investment in endowment will secure ESD’s Mission for generations to come.
Opportunities to sustain ESD's mission via endowment
- Support Our Faculty: attract, recruit, develop and retain exceptional teachers
- Invest in Our Students: enhance signature programs and allow flexibility to implement new, innovative program initiatives enriching the educational experience for students
- Maintain Affordability: control tuition growth by relieving dependence on tuition revenue and funding increased tuition assistance
- Generate a Healthy Balance Sheet: maintain our campus and programming despite fluctuations in the economy and unexpected changes in enrollment or demographics
- Safeguard the Future: ensure ESD will survive and thrive for future generations of students
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Through the continued generosity of community members in support of ESD’s mission, leadership, and vision for the future, our endowment has grown to 128 endowed funds.
List of Current Endowed Funds
Goals and Progress
Increasing Endowment Per Student
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Growing Corpus, Comparative Size
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Volunteer at ESD
Volunteers are essential to school life and are valued members of the ESD community.
Volunteering is a great way to get to know the faculty and staff and your child’s classmates and see ESD in action. There are many opportunities to get involved from staffing the concession stand at a football game to chairing the school carnival. Whatever your talent or passion and no matter your available time commitment, we are thankful for your support!
The ESD Fund |
Purpose: To support the School’s annual operating budget, The ESD Fund provides financial resources that help make our academic and co-curricular programs extraordinary. The ESD Fund depends upon participation by families, alumni, faculty, and staff. |
Parents' Association |
Purpose: To foster a welcoming and inclusive community for all ESD families, the ESDPA is the umbrella for all parent-led activities |
Dads' Partnership |
Purpose: To promote activities involving dads and children, this inclusive organization is dedicated to honoring God by fostering positive relationships with their children, the ESD community, and the community at large. |
ESD Booster Club |
Purpose: To strengthen community camaraderie and nurture students’ physical well-being through athletics and wellness. |
ESD Alumni Association |
Purpose: To develop lifelong and mutually beneficial relationships, The Episcopal School of Dallas Alumni Association engages former students and graduates with programs and opportunities to remain engaged in the life of their School. |
Fine Arts Network (FAN) |
Purpose: To nurture an appreciation for the visual and performing arts within The Episcopal School of Dallas community. |