Annual Fund

Annual tuition revenue covers only 90 percent of the actual cost of educating an ASL student. To help make up this difference, the Annual Fund is a volunteer-driven fundraising effort that provides approximately 5 percent of ASL’s operating budget each school year.

Gifts are unrestricted and participation is key to the success of our Annual Fund.

Through unrestricted funding, the Annual Fund provides the margin of excellence for our entire program, including the following:

• classroom equipment and technology
• cultural opportunities for our students
• faculty salaries and professional development
• field trips and outdoor program
• financial assistance
• sports and athletics
• visual and performing arts

Every fall, all parents are solicited for the Annual Fund, as are alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and faculty and staff.

Gifts of any amount truly make a difference and are vital to the fiscal health and success of the School.

Each family is asked to give at a level that is commensurate with its ability to do so.

Many foundations and corporations view parent participation in the Annual Fund as an indicator of a school’s strength.

ASL aims for 100 percent participation from all constituencies.

The Annual Fund appeal is managed by the ASL advancement office and is supported by a team of more than 100 parent volunteers.

Appeals for support are personalized and sent in the fall, winter and spring. Volunteers contact parents by email and telephone during the school year.

ASL accepts gifts of cash in pounds sterling (GBP) or U.S. dollars (USD) in the form of cash, check, credit card and/or appreciated securities which provide tax incentives for donors. You are welcome to make your gift directly online. The Annual Fund runs from September through June every School year.

Gifts received between July 1 and 30 June are publicized in ASL’s Annual Report.

Yes. The American School in London Foundation (UK) Ltd. is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the US (Tax ID 13-6258480) and is recognized by the United Kingdom Charities Commission as a registered charity (No. 1086037).

For charitable giving purposes, many ASL donors contribute primarily to The American School in London (UK) Ltd., allowing them to potentially receive both US and UK tax benefits. Learn more.

Gift Aid is a UK government program to encourage gifts to charities. If you are a UK taxpayer, using Gift Aid means that for every £1 you donate, ASL receives an extra 25 pence from HM Revenue & Customs, helping your gift go further. For example, if you complete an online Gift Aid declaration form, your £1,000 donation results in a £1,250 donation:

Your gift (£1,000) + Gift Aid (£250) = £1,250 for ASL

Example tax benefit to donor(s)*
A gift of £1,000 is recognized for a total gift amount of £1,250

At a 45% tax rate, UK tax payers may claim £312.50 on UK taxes
[(£1,250 x 45% tax rate) minus Gift Aid amount already claimed by ASL (£250)]

Donors can itemize a £1,250 deduction on US taxes

(Donation + Gift Aid amount claimed by ASL)

In 2016-17, ASL received more than £225,000 from Gift Aid toward our Annual Fund goal.

To learn more and complete the simple online Gift Aid declaration form, please visit www.asl.org/giftaid.

*Individual circumstances may vary. Please consult your tax accountant or financial planner.

Yes! Many corporations match employee’s charitable gifts to schools and each year they bring much-needed revenue. This kind of support makes a significant contribution to our school as it can double or triple the size of your gift.

ASL is grateful to the many corporations that support the School through generous corporate matching gift programs. See a list of participating corporations here.

Raising tuition to the full cost per child would be prohibitive. Donations to the Annual Fund—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.