FAQs

Q: What is the Annual Fund?

A: The Annual Fund is the School’s most important fundraising initiative. Contributions go to the general operating budget and support the cost of attracting the best teachers, offering excellent academic and co-curricular programs, and equipping and maintaining a state-of-the-art infrastructure beyond what tuition alone could provide. Parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends all support the Annual Fund each year.

Q: Why does ASL ask for donations?

A: ASL is a non-profit school and is governed by an independent board of trustees. Independent schools like ASL receive funding from several sources, including tuition, charitable annual contributions, and modest interest income. Although ASL tuition is substantial, it does not cover the full cost of educating a student; charitable gifts bridge that gap, allowing the School to offer an outstanding education, and operate with a balanced budget. Employee salary and benefit costs are the bulk of ASL’s operating expenses, at approximately 80 percent of tuition income. Your gift supports the people and programs that make ASL so special.

Q: Why not raise tuition to cover the cost of the education?

A: More than 40 percent of ASL parents pay their own tuition and raising tuition to the full cost per child would be prohibitive. Contributions—unlike tuition payments—are, for US taxpayers, tax deductible, and contributions from UK taxpayers qualify for Gift Aid. Without charitable support, ASL would be forced to make difficult program decisions. 

Q: Who gives to the Annual Fund?

A: Each year, parents, teachers and staff, grandparents, alumni, trustees, directors, corporations and friends make charitable gifts to the Annual Fund. We hope that ASL families will make the School one of their highest philanthropic priorities.

Q: How and when can I donate?

A: ASL welcomes gifts in pounds sterling or US dollars. Donations can be made in cash, by check, credit card or stock. Gifts can be made with a credit card online via our secure server. Donors may pledge to the Annual Fund at any time and pay the pledge by the end of the fiscal year, which runs from 1 July to 30 June. Details about how to make a contribution can be found in the “Supporting ASL” section of www.asl.org.

Q: How much should we donate?

A: Our goal is 100 percent participation and your gift—of whatever amount—helps us meet this goal. Donations to the Annual Fund range from £1 to more than £20,000. Gifts of all amounts are gratefully appreciated. High levels of participation in ASL’s fundraising appeals demonstrate community support, a key factor when securing grants from corporations and foundations. 

Q: Will I receive more than one request?

A: Those who pledge or make their gift early in the fall should receive only one appeal. The follow-up appeal letters and Phonathon calls are directed at those who have yet to make a pledge or gift. 

Q: Can I get tax benefits for my donation?

A: Yes. The ASL Foundation (UK) Ltd. is recognized both by the United States IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization (US tax ID 13-6258480) and by the United Kingdom Charities Commission as a registered charity (No. 1086037). Gifts made to the ASL Foundation (UK) Ltd. are tax-deductible for US taxpayers to the full extent of US tax code. This Foundation is also recognized as a UK charity, allowing higher rate UK taxpayers to claim relief on UK income tax on the difference between the basic rate and higher rate of tax on their gross gift to ASL.

Q: What is Gift Aid?

A: Gift Aid is the UK government’s program to encourage gifts to charities. Inland Revenue rebates to the School the basic rate of tax the donor has already paid on his/her gift, provided the donor signs a Gift Aid Declaration and pays enough UK income tax and/or capital gains tax to cover the amount of tax ASL will reclaim. Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, the School receives an extra 28 pence from the Inland Revenue, helping your donation go further. US taxpayers, who also pay tax in the UK, may also be eligible for the Gift Aid program.

Q: Does ASL accept matching gifts?

A: Absolutely. ASL is grateful to the many corporations that support the School through generous matching gift programs. This kind of corporate support makes a significant contribution to ASL as it can double or triple the size of your gift. Please contact your employer’s human resources department or the advancement office for information on matching gifts to schools.

Q. We already give to the Annual Fund and would like to make an additional gift in support of the School’s mission. How should we proceed?

A. Over and above operational support through gifts to the Annual Fund, capital gifts are used to support and enhance all aspects of the School, including teaching funds, endowments for the arts and athletics, as well as campus facilities and improvements. We are eager to work with donors who are interested in particular projects or restricted gifts that help fulfill the School’s mission. Please contact the advancement office for more information.