A Guide For Family Engagement And Giving

Read on to discover more about the many options you have to tailor your experience during your time at the school.

We have a remarkable community here at Mulgrave - one that thrives on the generosity, commitment and shared values of our families. This Engagement & Giving Guide is here to help you explore the many meaningful ways to contribute to your children’s school and their educational experience. 

Every family is asked to make an annual financial contribution - at a level that is right for you - as this support is vital to the progress and innovation that defines our school. In addition to giving, there are numerous opportunities to share your time and talents through volunteering, to enrich school life and strengthen community connections.

Understanding Giving at Mulgrave

The Role of Philanthropy

Building a strong culture of giving at Mulgrave sets a positive example for our community and is reflective of our values of inclusion, social responsibility, and global citizenship. Investing in your children and those around them is an important decision and one that has lasting impact. 

Mulgrave has held several successful capital campaigns throughout its history to significantly expand and improve our school. Board members, parents, grandparents, alumni, and faculty and staff have all contributed gifts to support these efforts.

Without their generosity Mulgrave would not be the school we all get to enjoy today.

Today, we continue this tradition of generosity through Momentum, our annual fund. Read on to learn how your contribution can create lasting opportunities for the leaders and changemakers of the future.

We are more than a school; we are an inclusive community that cares deeply about our children’s lives, learning, and happiness. I am so thankful to be part of the Mulgrave family.”

Nicola More

Former MVP President & Current Mulgrave Board Director​

Fundraising Efforts

Momentum Mulgrave’s Annual Fund

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Momentum is Mulgrave’s annual fund, supporting new initiatives that drive progress, innovation, and an ever-evolving educational experience. While tuition fees cover core operations, donations to Momentum unlock new opportunities - enhancing resources, enriching the curriculum, supporting financial assistance, advancing teacher development, and much more.

The funds that we receive throughout the year give our educational leaders the flexibility to adapt in a rapidly changing world, letting them tackle exciting new projects and develop creative approaches to teaching and learning. Each new year brings fresh ideas and opportunities for growth, which is why we ask every family to make an annual donation to help ensure Mulgrave continues to be a place of excellence and inspiration in learning.

We place a large focus on participation - every gift, regardless of size, is a reflection of shared commitment to our school’s mission. Our goal is 100% participation, with each family contributing at a level that is personally meaningful. You’ll have the opportunity to take part through our Momentum Annual Giving appeals, which begin each fall, with reminders sent by mail or email throughout the school year.

In addition to our Momentum Annual Fund, you have the option of working closely with the Donor Engagement team to develop a personalised plan for a gift that reflects your philanthropic priorities. You can also establish your legacy and connection to the school through special naming opportunities.

Impact gifts are often directed toward high-impact initiatives with an urgent or strategic need within our community. These gifts have played a vital role in bringing to life transformative projects such as 

Impact Gifts and Recognition Opportunities

the Squamish Outdoor Leadership and Education Centre, the Athletics and Performing Arts Centre, and enhanced financial assistance to ensure more families from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can access a Mulgrave education.

Throughout the school year, the Donor Engagement team connects with new families individually to provide information on special upcoming projects and potential partnerships.

Financial Assistance Programme & Endowment Fund

We celebrate all dimensions of diversity at Mulgrave - diversity of thought, background, experience, religion, culture, and more. Through your donation, we have the opportunity to attract a student body that is socio-economically diverse, enabling our community to gain new perspectives and develop a creative, critical, and compassionate understanding of the world around them.

Our endowment fund is a receptacle for gifts given in perpetuity. The capital of the endowment remains untouched, and only the income from the fund is used to provide funds for our financial assistance programme. As a young school, we have not yet had decades to grow this capital, but we are committed to building it further to establish a sustainable model for tuition assistance that is not tied to the economy or the school’s annual revenue.

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Donations are vital to providing Mulgrave with the resources it needs to achieve both its short-term objectives and its long-term goals. Whether it is capital for buildings, endowment funds for financial assistance, or extra budget for focussed professional development, gifts from Mulgrave donors are the catalyst for these important initiatives. Their generosity and commitment to the school’s mission play essential roles in assisting the teachers and students in becoming the best version of themselves that they can be.”

Donating your Family Deposit

When your family joins Mulgrave, you pay a $25,000 family deposit, which is held by the school until your youngest child graduates. At that time, the full amount is returned to you. However, over the course of your time here (sometimes 15 years or more!) the real value of that deposit decreases due to inflation. But it doesn’t have to. 

What if it were possible to make a donation that significantly changes students’ lives without leaving you out of pocket, while also offering an opportunity to make all or most of your donation back?

Donate all or a portion of your family deposit and you will receive a charitable tax receipt. By reinvesting the resulting tax refund you can generate substantial financial returns over the period of time that your family deposit would otherwise have been locked up.

By the time you leave Mulgrave, the growth of your tax refund can likely match or even exceed the original deposit amount while simultaneously having a huge impact on the education of your children and their peers. Contact our Donor Engagement Team to learn more about how to leverage the power of your family deposit.

Thanks to government top up incentives, you could further leverage your tax refund by investing the money in a RESP to support your child’s future post secondary education. Take a look at this example of a PK3 family: even with a conservative 6% annual growth on their investment, they more than make back the original donation, in addition to their positive impact on Mulgrave students.

More Ways of Giving

One-Time Gift

A single gift that is made to Mulgrave. These donations can be made online, by mail, phone, or hand delivered to the school.

Recurring Gift

An ongoing donation that can be set up as a regular contribution, usually monthly, to support the Mulgrave fund of your choice. 

Through United Way

A directed contribution of all or part of your workplace United Way campaign donation to Mulgrave.

Gift of Securities

The donation of stocks and shares. Donating securities offers a significant advantage in tax savings because donors receive both a receipt for the full current value of the appreciated securities and an exemption from capital gains taxes on the amount of the appreciation.

Corporate Gifts

A contribution from a company, typically in the form of a matching gift. Many companies will match or double donations from their employees to registered charities like Mulgrave. Please contact your employer’s HR Department to see if your organisation has a matching programme.

Planned Giving

A lasting legacy at Mulgrave through your will or estate plan.

Family Deposit

You have the option to donate a portion or all of your family deposit during your time at Mulgrave. This is a popular way for families to donate to the school as it offers some unique advantages.

Whether you are considering a first time gift or have contributed in the past, we know you may have questions. Here are a few of the most commonly asked.

How will my donation help my child’s education?

The generosity of past families built the strong foundation that your child benefits from today. By contributing to Mulgrave’s future, you’re not only investing in the next generation - you’re also helping create new opportunities for your own child right now.

We have already paid tuition. Why do we need to donate?

While tuition covers the essential costs of operating the school, it is donations that fund the ‘margin of excellence’ - the exceptional elements that set Mulgrave apart. With your support we’re able to offer a richer, future-focused education in spaces designed to foster both academic and personal growth.

This includes integrating new personalised learning experiences that reflect each child’s strengths and interests, cutting-edge technology, curriculum enhancements, professional development for our talented teachers, and forward-looking strategic initiatives.

Donations also make it possible to expand our needs-based financial assistance programme, helping families facing challenging circumstances. By making a Mulgrave education accessible to a broader range of students, we enrich our community with greater social and economic diversity - an essential part of our values, culture, and ethos.

Why not simply charge higher fees and avoid having to ask for gifts?

Increasing tuition would further stratify our community and would make our education out of reach for many families. Additionally, it would work contrary to our goal of creating the socio-economic diversity that we know will serve to further enrich the composition of our community.

To offer competitive salaries to our faculty and also provide the transformative educational environment and innovative programmes you want your children to access, the school relies on fundraising. The generosity of families who partner with us provides the financial support we need to achieve our common goals.

What benefits might I get as a donor?

As a Mulgrave donor, you will:

• Take pride in helping Mulgrave achieve its strategic goals
• Have a direct impact on the education and future of young learners
• Make social connections with other donor families
• Obtain a full tax receipt for your donation (for gifts of $20 and up)
• Be recognised in both our annual Donor & Giving Report and on our Annual Donor Wall
• Receive updates on how your gift is making a difference for our students
  

I support many charities. Why should I prioritise giving to Mulgrave?

In general, independent schools have fewer supporters than universities or national and regional charities because of the relative size of our community. The number of donors will, therefore, be small, and yet the need is large - so every gift counts more and families tend to see a more immediate impact in the difference they are making. This reasoning leads many of our families to make Mulgrave their philanthropic priority during their time here. By giving to their children’s school, they are supporting a local organisation that shares and supports their family’s values.

FAQ | The Gift of your Financial Resources​

The Gift of Your Time & Talent​

Mulgrave Volunteer Parents

MVP

The Mulgrave Volunteer Parents (MVP) Executive is an elected group that works together to build a vibrant community culture. The MVP collaborates with faculty, staff, and family members to organise and coordinate events and activities throughout the year. They provide a variety of ways for you to engage with the Mulgrave community.

Let your Voice be Heard

We value your partnership and feedback, and regularly ask for participation in a variety of contexts. Whether as a member of an advisory group, an attendee at a strategic planning meeting, or by completing our annual survey, your input is valued and appreciated.

What impressed us the most when we first visited Mulgrave was its warm and welcoming community of friends, teachers, and staff. No matter which community we’re in, whether it’s our family of four, our school community, or the world we share, we ask ourselves, “What can I do to serve?” Asking this question drives us to volunteer and give back however we can.”

Why should I volunteer?

When you work in partnership with our school, great things are possible. By combining the talents, time, knowledge, and network of our generous volunteers, we are able to create amazing opportunities that benefit our children and the Mulgrave community.

There are also many advantages to volunteering. It enhances your understanding of our school, our values, and how we work to achieve our mission. Classroom volunteering provides an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with your child’s teacher and observe your child in school. Other volunteer roles enable you to develop long-lasting personal friendships and professional connections with other parents and family members who are just as committed to giving back as you. Whether it’s serving as a class rep, field trip chaperone, helping out at the library, assisting with special events, or contributing your perspective as a committee member, volunteering is an incredible expression of your dedication to your child’s journey at Mulgrave.

Elham Abousaeidi and Payam Razavi

Mulgrave Master Ambassador and Mulgrave Board Member​

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Development Team​

The Development team takes an integrated approach to curating the journey of a Mulgrave family. From the beginning, the Admissions team recruits and guides prospective families through a process that showcases our Mulgrave education and highlights the essential partnership between home and school. Upon admittance, the Advancement or Donor Engagement team supports the onboarding process, ensuring that all families develop key connections across campus that serve to meet their evolving needs. 

Both teams work in tandem to build a community that is values-aligned and aware of the opportunities that everyone has to contribute to maintaining high levels of achievement. 

These efforts are also supported by an incredible team of communicators and event planners. They share information through a variety of channels and create opportunities for students, families, faculty and staff, leaders, alumni, and alumni families to enjoy shared experiences and celebrate special milestones throughout the year.