RIO GRANDE, An independent school serving students pre-K through sixth grade in Santa Fe, NM

Fundraising at RGS

Rio Grande School cannot offer its excellent programs without the generosity of supportive parents, employees, and friends. The Board's Development Committee oversees all fundraising events and activities, including The Annual Fund, capital campaigns, the Gala Grande, golf tournament, and other fundraising programs.

The Annual Fund accounts for nearly 10% of the school's annual budget. RGS relies on the Annual Fund to bridge the gap between tuition income and operating expenses, which is approximately $2,000 per student. The operating budget's main expenses include salary and benefits, instructional materials, and maintenance of the campus physical plant. Board members, parents, employees, alumni, grandparents, and other friends are solicited in this campaign. Rio Grande School seeks 100% participation of Board members, parents, and employees at whatever level possible. High participation percentages help RGS leverage gifts from foundations, which look closely at the level of support school "internal" constituents provide as an indication of institutional strength. Every gift is important and is a vote of confidence in and support of the school by the donor.

Click here to give to the Annual Fund online

The "Gala Grande" and the Annual Golf Tournament are the school's major fundraising events to support the Scholarship Fund, which enables children of diverse talents and backgrounds have the opportunity to experience Rio Grande School's outstanding curriculum and learning environment.

The Board of Trustees is committed to socioeconomic diversity at RGS, and allocates 10% of each year's tuition revenue to the Scholarship Fund. This allocation provides significant assistance to many wonderful students and families. In the 2008-2009 school year, over $275,000 in tuition assistance was awarded to 20% of our students.