Give to Emerson

Join Us in a Culture of Giving

Virtually, in the classroom, outdoors, and beyond, your generosity helps Emerson provide robust, creative, and transformational experiences for all of our students. Like other independent schools, each student’s education is financed by both tuition and annual giving support. Your tax-deductible, charitable gifts enable Emerson to thrive now and in the years to come.

Your Gift Matters!

Leading the Annual Fund Campaign each year, our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees giving, along with the community’s giving, help us reach our goal of raising nearly $500K. Annual Fund gifts are essential to sustain Emerson’s mission of the whole child, multiple method approach. Your charitable contributions help fund Emerson’s educational and greatest needs.

Annual gifts at all levels ensure that Emerson will continue to thrive and maintain its 49-year reputation of educational excellence. We ask our families to identify Emerson School as one of their top philanthropic priorities and recognize that all contributions make a significant impact.

We invite you to join us in making a gift today and to explore the many ways giving directly impacts the Emerson experience in and out of the classroom. Please contact the Director of Development to learn more about Annual Fund giving options: directed and designated giving, leadership giving, memorial and honorary gifts, giving through donor-advised funds, stock transfers, endowment, and planned giving.

Thank you! We appreciate your participation and loyalty to Emerson School, our students, and faculty. We are grateful for your generosity!

Make Your Annual Fund Gift or Pledge Now

Family of Funds - Directed Giving

You can direct your Annual Fund gift where it matters most to you. Make your gift unrestricted and it will be spread throughout the school where it’s needed most, or give it to one of the specific funds available below. With more than 300 students, supporting Emerson’s Annual Fund ensures that our school operates seamlessly for faculty, staff, students and their families. Thank you!

Annual Fund – Unrestricted Giving
Provides support for Emerson’s greatest needs within the operating budget.

Arts & Music Fund
Inspires creativity by nurturing students and teachers in music, theater and the visual arts.

Curriculum Fund
Enhances and enriches all elements of our integrated curriculum through classroom materials, global education, experiences and activities.

Financial Aid Fund
Enables us to enroll a talented and diverse student population who contribute to Emerson’s unique community.

Gardens & Grounds
Cares for our campus grounds and beautifies our gardens.

Playground Fund
Maintains and enhances playground equipment and grounds meant to be enjoyed by all students.

Professional Development Fund
Empowers Emerson to attract and retain outstanding faculty and staff; offers them the opportunity for continued learning and professional development.

Tech & Innovation Fund
Expands and boosts our capacity to integrate innovative technology in the classroom, with flexibility and agility for both in-person and parallel learning scenarios.

Note: If contributions to a particular fund exceed the area’s need in that year’s operating budget, Emerson School retains the discretion to use directed funds to support the school’s general operations.

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Why Independent Schools Budget For Gifts

Though it creates a gap between Emerson’s expenses and tuition revenues:

  • What would otherwise be part of tuition becomes a tax-deductible gift
  • It minimizes tuition fluctuations and keeps tuition affordable for the greatest number of families
  • It allows Emerson’s tuition to be accurately compared with all other independent schools, which also budget for annual giving
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How to Give and Giving Options

Your gift to the Annual Fund can be a one-time or recurring contribution and can be made in your name, anonymously, or in honor/memory of other people and businesses.

Give Online
Complete the Web form here to make your gift online.

Give by Mail or In Person
Pick up a reply card in Emerson’s office to accompany your credit card or check gift, then mail or drop it off.

Give Stock
A gift of appreciated securities may be an ideal way for you to support Emerson School, depending on your personal circumstances. As stock price increase, so do the taxes you owe on the long-term capital gain at the point of sale.  However, if you choose to make a gift of appreciated securities to a qualified charitable organization like Emerson, it can be advantageous to you in two ways:

  • You will avoid paying capital gains taxes on any increase in value—taxes owed when you sell any appreciated securities
  • You earn a federal income tax deduction based on the current fair market value of the securities, regardless of their original cost

You should consult with your financial advisor regarding the specific tax benefits of gifting securities. Please contact our Director of Development, Terry Langston at 734.665.5662, x 305, or email tlangston@emerson-school.org for more information and/or questions about donating stock.

Give In-Kind Gifts
Emerson School is grateful to receive items and services as gifts-in-kind. To do so, please download and complete the form here. Gifts are tax-deductible and the IRS requires donors to indicate the value of all items donated.

NOTE: All gifts received before June 30 will be credited in the current fiscal year.

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Endowment Gifts

If you prefer to make an endowed gift that will provide support for Emerson in perpetuity, please direct your gift to Emerson’s general Endowment Fund. Emerson’s endowment is managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) and gifts can be made to Emerson School directly through AAACF’s website linked below.
+ Make a gift to Emerson’s endowment at the AAACF

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