Your Gift Matters!

Our Annual Fund helps to close the critical gaps in our yearly operational budget and ensures our students continue to thrive in a well-rounded, inclusive, forward-looking, and compassionate environment. Our motto Mens Sana In Corpore Sano ~ A Sound Mind in a Sound Body, feeds into every aspect of DCDS student life programming, supporting the many facets of a student's experience , as well as faculty professional development, campus-wide improvements in the arts, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. 

For more information on the DCDS Annual Fund contact Nikki London, Chief Advancement Officer, at NLondon@dcds.edu or Tina (Mangalick) Blank '06, Director of Philanthropy, at Tblank@dcds.edu

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A gift in honor or memory of someone is a thoughtful way to pay tribute to individuals who touch our lives. Tribute gifts provide unrestricted resources for the school's most pressing needs or you may direct your gift to support a single program area or project. Tribute gifts can be made to celebrate a special occasion, say thank you, recognize someone close to you, or to remember someone who is deceased. For donations made in tribute, we send a personal Tribute Gift card to persons designated for notification on your donation form.  

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Gifts to DCDS Endowment Funds help to provide for the long term sustainability of the school. Endowment Fund gifts impact the people, programs, and property of DCDS through the income earned on the these funds, invested in accordance with the school's endowment policies. Gifts can be directed to our areas of greatest need within our General Endowment Fund, to our three main pillars of Academics, Arts, Athletics or our Guided Tuition program. 

For more information or questions on additional Endowment Funds contact Tina (Mangalick) Blank '06, Director of Philanthropy, at (248)430-1064 or at TBlank@dcds.edu

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Planned giving, such as gifts through wills, trusts, estate plans or beneficiaries identified in life insurance policies can be an advantageous way to provide for a future legacy gift to Detroit Country Day School.

Types of Planned Gifts

Bequest - A bequest is a transfer of property, such as cash, securities or tangible property, to an individual or charitable organization by will or living trust. For many donors, a bequest offers the opportunity to make a more substantial gift than would be possible during the donor's lifetime. Other donors view a bequest as an opportunity to put the finishing touches on a lifetime of giving with a lasting legacy to Detroit Country Day School. Bequests are very popular, simple and impactful way to provide long-term support for DCDS programs.

Sample of Bequest of Remainder of Estate
"I give, devise, and bequeath to Detroit Country Day School, TAX ID#CHANGE, all [or state the fraction or percentage] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real estate and personal. Detroit Country Day School may be contacted in care at 22305 W. 13 Mile Rd., Beverly Hills, MI 48025."

Sample Bequest of Specific Amount
"I give, devise, and bequeath $_____to Detroit Country Day School, TAX ID#CHANGE. Detroit Country Day School may be contacted at 22305 W. 13 Mile Rd., Beverly Hills, MI 48025."

Beneficiary Designation - A beneficiary designation is a transfer of property, such as a retirement account, investment account, donor-advised fund or life insurance proceeds, at death to beneficiaries. Naming DCDS as a beneficiary of an asset is also a popular, simple way to leave a lasting impact. 

You can do so in three steps:

1. Contact the administrator of you retirement plan, insurance policy, bank or brokerage account or donor advised fund for a change-of-beneficiary form or simply download a form from your provider's website.
2. Decide the percentage (1 to 100) you would like DCDS to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose on the beneficiary form.
3. Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.

All donors who notify Detroit Country Day School of their intentions to include the school in their estate plans will become a member of the 1914 Legacy Society. We only ask that you notify us that you are including DCDS in your estate plan and that you would like to be a member. There is no minimum gift amount to join and disclosure fo the gift amount is not required. You may also choose to remain anonymous. 

For more information contact Tina (Mangalick) Blank '06, Director of Philanthropy, at (248) 430 -1064 or TBlank@dcds.edu

Gifts to DCDS capital objectives help provide facilities and equipment commensurate with the exceptional educational experiences in academics, arts, and athletics expected by students and their families.  Capital objectives are identified by the school through a strategic planning process lead by the DCDS Board of Trustees.

Major Capital Projects

Detroit Country Day School's major capital projects include:

• Tennis Courts reconstruction (Summer 2020) 
• New Lower School (Fall 2019)
• Addition of Middle School wing (2018)
• Nicole and Stephen Eisenberg Studio Theatre (2015)
• Art wing in the Upper School (2015)
• Multipurpose sports field at the Thirteen Mile Road Campus (2015)
• Renovations to Middle School classrooms and common areas (2015)
• Field house at the Thirteen Mile Road Campus (2011)
• Fitness center and dance studio adjacent to the Cooper Gymnasium (2010)
• Cooper Gymnasium at the Hillview Campus (2009)
• Renovations and additions to the Junior School (2003 - 2007)
• Construction of the Barbara Plamondon Earle Early Learning Village at the Lower School (2001)
• Renovations and additions to the Upper School including the construction of the Seligman Performing Arts Center, state of the art science lab resources and classrooms, renovations of the student center and parent center (1997 - 1998)
• Construction of the Middle School (1991)
• Acquisition of the Lower School - Maple Road Campus (1986)
• Shaw Gymnasium Complex at the Thirteen Mile Road Campus (1981 - 1984) 
• Purchase of the Junior School - Village Campus (1980 - rented first in 1975)
• Two-story wing for art, science, music, and library (1974)
• Learning Center (now Student Center) opened (1967)
• Move to the Thirteen Mile Road Campus (1957)

Headmaster's Recognition Dinner

Donors who donate gifts of $2,500 or more each year are invited to a donor's dinner hosted by the Headmaster.

F. Alden Shaw Founder's Society

Permanent membership in the Founder's Society is bestowed upon those individuals, families, and organizations whose cumulative financial contributions (not pledges) to Detroit Country Day School equal or exceed $100,000. Financial contributions may be in the form of outright or in-kind gifts.

Levels

• Diamond: $3 million
• Platinum: $1 million
• Gold: $500,00
• Silver: $250,000
• Bronze: $100,000

Mens Sana In Corpore Sano Society

This society honors donors who give $1,000 or more to any funds within in the school's fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)

Levels

• Extraordinary: $25,000+
• Inspired: $10,000 - $24,999
• Strong: $5,000 - $9,999
• Loyal: $2,500 - $4,999
• Proud: $1,000 - $2,499

1914 Legacy Society

For gifts made to the school through estate plans, donors will be recognized in perpetuity as a member of the 1914 Legacy Society.

Yellowjacket Society

The Yellowjacket Society recognizes alumni of all ages who support DCDS each year. Members of the Yellowjacket Society who contribute $1,000 or more are also members of the Mens Sana In Corpore Sano Society.