Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is a volunteer-based fundraising effort that allows us to meet our mission of advancing education. Historically, Annual Fund donations have provided much-needed funding to ASL to ensure the real margin of excellence in opportunity and programming for students.

ASL’s tuition alone does not cover the true cost of educating its students. Rather, the School relies on 4% of its operating income from charitable donations. Annual Fund gifts have allowed us to make meaningful contributions to ASL, allowing the school to invest in the individual growth and development of each child.

We are proud to have helped prepare ASL’s bright, talented students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, our future leaders and innovators.

We hope you’ll show your belief in the transformative power of an ASL education by choosing to support us. In the past, Annual Fund gifts have supported the following initiatives:

• classroom equipment and tech
• diversity and financial assistance
• sports and athletics
• cultural opportunities
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Band, choir, orchestra
• world-class faculty and staff; salaries and professional development
• area of greatest need

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.

We can accept gifts in pounds sterling (GBP) or US dollars (USD) in the form of cash, check, credit card, which may provide tax incentives for donors. We can also accept appreciated securities. 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 and each year they bring much-needed revenue. This kind of support makes a significant contribution, as it can double or triple the size of your gift.

We are so grateful to the many corporations for their 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. Whether gifts come from an appreciative parent or a grateful alum, each gift is a “thank you” for the experiences and opportunities provided by an ASL education. That’s why when donors ask “how much should I give?” we encourage them to “give enough” to represent their appreciation of an ASL education and to promote a culture of philanthropy.