Springers Fund FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quaker Ed & the SSFS Mission

How does generosity align with Quaker values?

Do Quakers give? YES!

Quaker philosophy around generosity is characterized by a commitment to simplicity, equality, community, and service. It is a philosophy that calls upon individuals to use their resources in ways that honor the dignity and worth of all people, promote justice and equality, and contribute to the common good of humanity.

We invite you to learn more about Quaker Philosophy on Generosity here.

Who determines the Springers Fund goal? If we don't meet the goal, will the school be affected?

Working together, the Administration, Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, and the Advancement Committee determine the Springers Fund goal. The process is a balancing act of forecasting tuition revenue, maximizing the Springers Fund potential, and acknowledging the importance of the continued health and strength of our school. If we do not meet the goal, the deficit would have a broad impact, with potential cutbacks shared by all divisions.

Why doesn't SSFS raise tuition to pay for all the operating needs?

Although SSFS raises tuition to guarantee growth in faculty salaries and educational programs, the school could not charge the full cost without seriously limiting the number of qualified students who could afford to attend. Augmenting tuition with the Springers Fund also enables the school to keep tuition at a competitive rate with the surrounding community.

In addition, your gift to the Springers Fund is tax-deductible as allowed by law; tuition is not.

Are there additional ways I can support Advancement at SSFS?

Yes! The Advancement Office is always looking for passionate, dedicated community members who can speak to the importance of philanthropy and invite others to join them in their support of the school. We have a Springers Fund Leadership Committee and an Alumni Cohort, which both work closely with Advancement to promote the Springers Fund in our community. Additionally, the Advancement Department partners closely with the Parent Association on the PA: Auction for Financial Aid.

To learn more about ways you can get more involved in supporting the school's Advancement efforts, please contact Adrienne Chisolm, Assistant Director of Advancement, chisoad@ssfs.org.

Why Give?

I can't make a big gift. Does my support still matter?

YES! Our community deeply values every gift of every size.

Your gifts enable the Springers Fund to transform the people and programs that support each student's success and your support inspires others to join you in supporting our students.

We respectfully ask that each member of our community embrace the Springers Fund as a philanthropic priority by making a gift that is personally meaningful given your unique situation. Only together will we reach our participation goals - which are critical to support external funding through grants and foundations.

Why is percentage participation important?

Our community’s annual goal is for 100% of current parents to make personally meaningful commitments to the Springers Fund each year.

High participation in the Springers Fund is an important way for us to demonstrate to others in our community and to prospective families the commitment and dedication of our parents, alumni, and friends to the School and to our students.

Foundations and corporations awarding grants to an educational institution often look at the level of parent, alumni, and community participation in the Springers Fund.

Why does it help if I give before December 31?

You can make a gift throughout the fiscal year, July 1-June 30. Our community strives to raise at least 80% of our total annual goal for the Springers Fund by December 31.

Thank you to our generous donors who give early, allowing the school the flexibility to most thoughtfully allocate their gifts to the current school year.

Additionally, making a donation before December 31 is beneficial to most donors in deducting their donations from their taxes. Please plan to make your gift by December 31.

Is my donation tax-deductible? How can I give?

The Springers Fund and Giving Societies

What is the Springers Fund and why do we need it?

The Springers Fund is vital to Sandy Spring Friends School's commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, allowing us to grow together as a community while honoring our rich traditions. As with all independent schools, SSFS's tuition and endowed funds alone cannot provide the distinctive offerings need to support the unique and dynamic educational experience for our Springers.

Your meaningful contribution each year to the Springers Fund are applied to the current year to enhance academic innovation, enriched arts programs, inclusive athletics, faculty excellence, tuition assistance, and service opportunities that promote intellectual excellence and strength of character.

Your investment on an annual basis is a crucial partnership to advance the SSFS mission and steward our future.

How does the Springers Fund impact current students and the school?

The Springers Fund supports every Springer, in every way, every day!

Your annual contributions to the Springers Fund are applied to the current school year and are put to work ensuring a transformational experience for our students in big and small ways. The Springers Fund impacts every aspect of our students' experiences from innovative academics to inclusive athletics, from enriching arts to inquiry-based experiential learning, from faculty excellence to financial aid - the Springers Fund really supports it all.

Contributing to the Springers Fund is the best way to enhance our current Springers experience and ensure SSFS advances its mission.

Who should give to the Springers Fund?

EVERYONE who is a part of the Sandy Spring Friends School community is welcome and encouraged to support the Springers Fund each year. Gifts to the Springers Fund range $5 to $50,000+

Our community’s collective goal every year is 100% parent participation. We respectfully ask that each family embrace the Springers Fund as a philanthropic priority. Strong parent participation and generosity make a statement to our external community who review such statistics when considering their support.

The school values every gift, regardless of size. Your investment makes a lasting difference in the daily experience for all students and faculty.

What are giving societies?

Giving societies helps the school secure a number of gifts at all levels and better steward all of our donors in recognition of the diverse ways they give. If the Springers Fund is to be successful, it must reflect the balance between leadership gifts, recurring gifts, consecutive giving, and broad participation. Our giving societies provide an opportunity for all donors to be recognized and acknowledges for their generosity to SSFS.

We recognize that everyone’s ability to give is different, and we deeply value each and every contribution.

Thank you to all our giving society members for their steadfast and/or leadership-level generosity, demonstrating their commitment to the SSFS vision and mission. Members will be celebrated at our Giving Society Celebration annual reception.

What is the 1961 Society and what are the giving levels?

The 1961 Society recognizes those who contribute at a leadership giving level ($1,961 or more) to the school in a given fiscal year.

Members of the 1961 Society, those who contribute annual donations at or above $1,961, support the School’s key priorities and transform the Sandy Spring Friends experience for everyone in our community. They provide for Springers today and strengthen our foundation for the future. We invite you to [learn more] about the leadership giving levels of our 1961 Society.

JOIN THE 1961 society

What is the Young Friends Society and what are the giving levels?

The Young Friends Society recognizes young alumni who generously support the Springers Fund at a leadership level relative to their age. Alumni who are within 15 years of their graduation are eligible to become members of the Young Friends Society. Young alum, its time to get in the game!

Frazleerham Circle: $1,500+
Nurdleybawl Circle: $1,000 - $1,499
Brindledorph Circle: $500 - $999
Rondoturf Circle: $100 - $499

Join the Young Friends Society

Types of Gifts

Can I donate stock or appreciated assets?

Yes! Donating stock is a simple strategy to increase your gift for philanthropy and your tax deduction. You can make a bigger impact by donating long-term appreciated securities, including stock, bonds, and mutual funds, directly for philanthropy.

When you transfer appreciated securities that you have held for more than a year, you can take an income tax deduction for the full fair-market value, rather than the amount paid. Plus, you generally do not pay capital gains when you donate securities rather than sell them.

How can a donor-advised fund (DAF) support my philanthropy?

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to give to your favorite philanthropic efforts. Think of DAFs like investment accounts for the sole purpose of supporting philanthropic organizations.

When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets as a philanthropic gift to a DAF, you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Then, your donation can be invested for tax-free growth, making available even more money for you to recommend grants to your favorite causes, like SSFS.

Do employers offer matching gifts?

Can I make a donation from my IRA?

Yes! IRA donations are a simple, thoughtful way for people to support philanthropic institutions. For example, if you are at least age 70 1/2, you can make a Qualified Charitable Donation (QCD) up to $105,000 from your IRA for 2025 to support your charitable goals and withdraw funds from your IRA without tax consequences. The QCD can also help satisfy your required minimum distribution.

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