The Hawken Fund

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

• Q:

  What is the Hawken Fund?

  The Hawken Fund is our annual school fundraiser and the School’s top fundraising priority. Alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends come together to demonstrate their commitment to Hawken’s mission by making a gift to the Hawken Fund.

• Q:

  Where does Hawken Fund money go?

  Every year, 13% of the school's operating budget comes from annual giving and endowment income.

  The Hawken Fund supports the people and programs that make a Hawken education so powerful, including:

  • Providing professional development opportunities to keep our faculty at the forefront of their fields
  • Maintaining small class sizes
  • Creating an innovative curriculum
  • Improving and sustaining our facilities and grounds
  • Co-curricular activities like the arts and athletics
  • Providing tuition assistance

• Q:

  Why does participation matter?

  Annual giving is a strong tradition at Hawken, and with your participation, you’re part of something big. Every gift is both a symbol and a tangible vote of confidence in Hawken School. It enables the leadership of the School to move forward with plans for the year or to expand upon innovative programs.
  
  

  Many alumni share that they give back to Hawken out of gratitude for their own experiences at the School. Families often choose to give because they want to enhance the educational opportunities for their children. Additionally, as a testament to their commitment to our students, our faculty and staff routinely achieve 75% to 90% participation.
  
  

  Participation rates are also a factor used by foundations, corporations, and other friends of Hawken when determining grant awards. Thus, higher participation rates can potentially generate additional support for Hawken.

• Q:

  How much am I expected to give?

  We hope that members of the Hawken community make the School a philanthropic priority. There’s no expected gift amount – we ask simply that you consider a gift that is personally meaningful and that makes sense for your family. Every year, every gift to the Hawken Fund matters and makes a difference for Hawken.

• Q:

  How do I make a gift?

  Visit our Ways to Give page for information on the many ways you may contribute.

• Q:

  I made a gift in June, but you asked me to give again in September. I thought this was an annual gift. Could you please explain?

  The fundraising schedule for the Hawken Fund coincides with Hawken’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. The gift you made in June counted toward the previous fiscal year. Gifts made after June 30 count toward the next fiscal year, which is why you were contacted again in the fall. Once an individual makes a gift or pledge, requests for financial support to the Hawken Fund stop for the remainder of that fiscal year.

• Q:

  It seems like Hawken already has a lot of money. Will my gift really make a difference?

  Yes! The Hawken Fund is part of the School’s operating budget. It’s not extra funding; the Hawken Fund is needed every year. Hawken would need an additional $40 million in our endowment to equal the amount of money that comes from gifts to the Hawken Fund. The School relies upon gifts of all sizes to meet the needs of our students.

   

  Additionally, accessibility is a core priority and treasured value of our school. The Hawken Fund helps to keep tuition at a level of accessibility that promotes a diverse student body and maintains a tuition rate in line with our peer schools.

  
  Remember that participation is also a factor considered by foundations, corporations, and other friends of Hawken when determining grant awards. The percentage of our community that supports the School helps them gauge the strength of the School. Your gift of any size helps Hawken successfully pursue other funding opportunities.