Sandy Spring Friends School

 

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Annual Fund

Creating a sense of belonging and the Annual Fund—here at SSFS, they go hand in hand.

Stewardship and Community—two of our Quaker SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship)—are essential ingredients in our efforts to nurture a sense of belonging, which you’ve probably noticed is a big deal for us here at Sandy Spring Friends School. Only when students truly feel they belong can they experience change and transformation at SSFS. 

How can you embrace Stewardship and Community?

Meet the Annual Fund.

Each year, the Annual Fund goal reflects the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student. As a community, we give to close this gap. Here’s what happens when we do:

  • We fund programs and initiatives that empower our students to reach their greatest potential, to let their lives speak.
     

  • We invest in the future of the School while helping to maintain affordable tuition.
     

  • We give as generously as possible in order to support the families who are not able to contribute to the extent that they would like. 
     

  • We demonstrate how much we value an SSFS education, and we demonstrate our commitment to the future of the school. 

While we encourage each current family to give as generously as possible, some families are not able to give at our goal level for the year. That’s where our alumni, alumni families, and other generous donors come in. 

Every year, we aim for 100% parent participation. Each and every gift—regardless of its size—helps create momentum, provides a tangible demonstration of support for the School’s mission and the Quaker SPICE of Stewardship, and helps us reach our collective goal.

Contact us to learn how you can be a part of creating spaces of belonging, opportunity, and transformation at SSFS.

Adrienne Chisolm

Adrienne Chisolm
Interim Director of Advancement
send email 
301-774-7455 x157

Annual Fund Giving Circles

Founder's Circle: $10,000
Head's Circle: $5,000
Circle of Friends: $2,500
Meeting Circle: $1,000
Green & Gold Circle: $500
Community Circle: $499

Our Community Speaks

Michel Ruiz-Fuentes '20

“SSFS changed the trajectory of my life. When I arrived at college, I was completely ready, even though I wasn’t necessarily ready to leave high school. That’s because of the tight-knit community and the lifelong friends I made. I feel really blessed to have been a Sandy Spring Friends School student.”

Michel Ruiz-Fuentes, Class of 2020

Cody Xu '25

“Here, you can find what your passion is and do it! On this one campus, you can do weaving, ceramics, astronomy, use the 3D printer, and more. You will find your passion at SSFS.”

Cody Xu, Class of 2025

Linda Garrettson '85, P'16

“When I was a student, I was smart and got top grades, but I wasn’t valued for that. I was seen as a whole person. It happened on Intersession trips, on the sports field, in student leadership, in the classroom, and during lunch with faculty members. SSFS made me feel like full, whole person.”

Linda Garrettson '85, P '16, Lower School Faculty

Clara Shapiro '23

“Someone at my recent choir audition [at Northwestern University] said to me, “You carry yourself so comfortably. Where did you learn to communicate with adults like that?” I answered: “SSFS.”

Clara Shapiro, Class of 2023

William Henderson '22

“Because SSFS really encourages going outside of your comfort zone—I took weaving, acting, and engineering—I was exposed to so many different things in high school and learned how to draw interdisciplinary connections. So, I feel comfortable going outside of my main disciplines at William & Mary. Also, I felt prepared academically and emotionally, understanding that not knowing something isn’t the end of the world.”

William Henderson, Class of 2022

Christine Olsen '84

“I grew up a great deal at Sandy Spring.  I met teachers that pushed me and encouraged skills that I had always felt I was no good at. I took classes that broadened my view of the world and introduced me to new interests—interests that ended up defining my career.”

Christine Olsen, Class of 1984

4 photos of arts, athletics, Quiz Bowl, and science in action

 

Ready to join us?

Be a part of the stewardship of our community by making a gift to the Annual Fund today. You will be helping to create more spaces of belonging, opportunity, and transformation for current and future SSFS students when you do!