Giving

Ways to Give

List of 5 items.

  • Make a Pledge

    You can make a pledge to support the School to be paid at a future date or in a series of installments.
  • By Check

    Checks should be made payable to Fairfield Country Day School and mailed to the attention of the Development Office.
  • Credit Card and Online

    Credit card donations can be made here. If you would like to make your payment over time, you can arrange a monthly or quarterly recurring gift.
  • Appreciated Securities

    Gifts of stocks or other appreciated securities allow donors to avoid paying capital gains taxes and qualify for a charitable deduction. For more information, contact the Development Office at 203-259-2723 or development@fairfieldcountryday.org. Click Here for instructions on how to make a Gift of Securities.
  • Matching Gifts

    You may have the opportunity to increase the value of your gift. Many companies offer matching gift programs to their employees. Please contact your Human Resources Office to learn more about your company’s matching gift policy and to determine if you are eligible. You can also search for your organization by visiting our Matching Gifts page HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charitable giving is a vital component in the fiscal health and vitality of Fairfield Country Day School. Together, members of the FCDS community help sustain the standards of excellence that define an FCDS education. Please see below for answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have additional questions, or would like more information, please contact Director of Development Paul Mountcastle at Paul.Mountcastle@fairfieldcountryday.org.

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • Q. Why doesn't our tuition cover all school expenses?

    Like all independent schools, FCDS relies on the charitable support of parents and alumni to help fund current programs and invest in our facilities. Tuition alone simply does not cover the full cost of educating a boy at FCDS; and it never has. Every year, our community is asked to contribute to annual giving to help us cover the gap between tuition and the true cost of educating each boy. These important gifts comprise 7% of our operating budget.
  • Q. What is the FCDS Fund?

    The FCDS Fund is our annual fundraiser which is launched in the fall and ends on June 30th every year. It accounts for approximately 7% of our operating budget, which tuition alone does not cover. The Fund supports learning opportunities, quality teaching, and financial aid. This resource allows us to maintain our commitment to the high standards we set for ourselves and to support the priorities and initiatives that help us prepare our boys for future success. We hope that parents will make FCDS one of their philanthropic priorities each year. Your gift demonstrates your deep commitment to our school and to our entire community, and your donation benefits every student this year.
  • Q. How are gifts reported? Will everyone in the school community know how much my family contributes?

    Each family is listed in our giving categories, which indicate the range in which you gave. The amount of your gift is not made public. If you prefer not to be listed in a giving category, please let us know and we will list your gift as anonymous.
  • Q. We can’t give as much as we’d like to, so will our gift really make a difference?

    Yes! Participation counts and we enthusiastically welcome gifts of any amount! Not only does your gift send the message that you support the school and believe in what we are providing for your son(s), but it also helps us provide funding for immediate needs and reduces our reliance on the endowment. Every gift helps and is appreciated.
  • Q. Are there other fundraising efforts during the year?

    Depending on the needs and priorities of FCDS, you may be asked to participate in another chartable effort, including the following:
    • Special events are another important way for the school to raise funds. Every other year, the Parents’ Association organizes a gala that brings together the entire community for a festive evening of fun and fundraising. The proceeds from this event support our operating budget.
    • A Capital Campaign is a fundraising effort for specific larger scale initiatives like building projects or growing the endowment. The campaign has a specific timeline that will often last from two to five years depending on the scale of the project. Also, unlike Annual Fund gifts which must be paid during the current fiscal year, Capital Campaign gifts may be paid over multiple years.
    • Our endowment is a permanent fund of which approximately 5% is spent each year to offset the demands on the operating budget. The remaining principal is preserved to provide support for future generations of FCDS boys. This fund is invested under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, and the value of our endowment as of June 30, 2016 was approximately $8.3 million.
  • Q. Can I make a gift through my will?

    Yes, planned giving offers a wonderful opportunity to invest in the future of Fairfield Country Day School. Past and current students have been the beneficiaries of planned gifts from previous benefactors, and future FCDS students will benefit from bequests made by current members of the FCDS family.
  • Q. Can I make a wire transfer?

    Wire instructions to the FCDS Operating Account at Chase Bank
     
    This transfer is to be credited to Fairfield Country Day School as detailed below:
     
    ABA # 021000021
      Chase Bank
      Southport, CT
      Chase Account # 644-0046515
      Chase Account Name: 
    Fairfield Country Day School Operating
     
  • Q. Federal Tax ID

    FCDS Tax ID #: 06-0662125
Fairfield Country Day School (FCDS) is a private, all-boys day school in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Founded in 1936 by Laurence W. Gregory, the school has admitted only boys since its inception. As per our mission: Fairfield Country Day School provides an educational community dedicated to the development of impactful young leaders of character and purpose; ready to face the everyday challenges and pivotal turning points of their lifetime with confidence, courage and compassion. Its balanced and challenging program is designed to help each student expand his desire and ability to acquire knowledge, capture his imagination, stimulate his curiosity and creativity, and enhance his self-esteem and respect for others. Each boy’s individual growth is encouraged in an environment that anticipates the future while appreciating the past.

FCDS admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

FCDS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.