Annual Giving: Learn More

2009-2010 goal: $2,800,000

Collected: $2,129,951

Drive ends: 06.30.2010

Annual giving benefits every single student at Chapin, not just those on financial aid. This is because the school's tuition does not cover the true cost of educating one girl for one year; we rely on the generosity of the Chapin community to make up the difference. This fund-raising program affects all aspects of school life, from providing sophisticated force sensors for the physics classes to keeping the lights on.

Annual giving facts

The gap between tuition and the cost of educating a single student is $12,165.
In 2008-2009, 98 percent of Chapin parents donated, compared with an 85 percent average among New York City peer schools.
That same year, 36 percent of alumnae gave, compared with 27 percent elsewhere in the city.
Chapin's 2009-2010 tuition is lower than that of Nightingale-Bamford, Spence, Brearley, Trinity, Horace Mann, Dalton and the Riverdale Country Day School.
Chapin raised its tuition by only 2 percent this year to provide a measure of financial relief to our girls' families.
Due to adverse economic conditions, Chapin did not meet its annual giving goal in 2008-2009 but hopes to meet this year's objective of $2.8 million.

The tuition gap

There has been a gap between tuition and per-student cost at Chapin since 1959. It is only more recently, however, that the school has begun educating the entire school community about its existence and what that means for Chapin.

The gap recently rose because it now includes Chapin's payments on the $40-million bond that funded the renovation of 100 East End Avenue. Chapin also responded to an increase in requests for financial aid for current families, allowing girls to remain at Chapin.

This pie chart shows how educational cost breaks down into the amount covered by tuition and the shortfall that donors help us make up through annual giving.

Ready to donate?

Click here to see all the ways in which you can contribute — cash and beyond.
Chapin has special funds devoted to specific purposes. See them here.
Alumnae can follow this link for information about alumnae annual giving.

For more information, contact Mary Murphy, director of annual giving and special funds, at or 212.570.4959.

Last updated 03.11.10

This page overseen by the Director of Advancement

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