The Hawken Fund supports every student, every day. The Hawken Fund bolsters all areas of Hawken’s annual operating budget, and unrestricted gifts allow the school to most effectively underwrite the Hawken experience.

Every year, the Hawken Fund is the School’s top fundraising priority. The annual fund is Hawken’s only yearly fundraising initiative, and support comes from every corner of our community.

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:

Donors can choose to direct their gift to the school priority that means the most to them.

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.

“I give to the Hawken Fund because Hawken provided me with more than I could have ever asked for and the least I can do is give back. From life-long friends and memories to skill sets that helped set me apart from my peers in college and grad school, Hawken prepared me to succeed. I am frequently reminded that my Hawken experience helped shape my early success.”

“I give to Hawken because I am constantly reminded of -- and always thankful for -- the skills and general life lessons Hawken taught me. In college, I felt far more prepared than my peers, especially in terms of strong writing skills which Hawken instills in all of its students. Public speaking skills and how to advocate for myself also took root at Hawken and served me well in college and now in my business life. I also give to Hawken in appreciation for the community there. Many of my best friends today are those I made all the way back to the 2nd grade at Hawken.”

“I entered Hawken in 9th grade and was struck by how the staff and faculty (even teachers I never took a class with) made me feel like they knew me well and cared personally about my education. I found myself not only really engaged in learning, but truly happy and comfortable in school for the first time ever. The skills I learned, both in and out of class, have served me well. More importantly, the freedom I was given to explore and discover on my own has served me well. Hawken immediately felt like 'home' to me, and the four years I spent there proved key to many things later in life. Now, I am a Hawken parent, with a son in first grade. I'm experiencing the Lower School through his eyes and I'm constantly reminded of what a marvelous and unique place it truly is. I'm very proud to support the school, as it has always proudly supported me.”

“I have great fondness for Hawken and am appreciative of the wonderful education and memories. As a "1.5" generation immigrant, I am sure that I would have had a bigger struggle culturally and socially at the small, east coast liberal arts college I attended if Hawken had not been a critical stopping ground between my small town Ohio public middle school and college. I received generous financial aid during my time at Hawken and want to support the school's resources so that Hawken can continue to educate students from diverse backgrounds.”