Your Gift Matters!

The 2020 - 2021 Annual Fund honors our teachers. Help us say thank you to those who year after year dedicate their lives and hearts to their students’ betterment. For a minimum gift of $25 per honoree, your recipient will receive a personalized card, which may include your special message to let them know how they have made a difference.

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

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Vivid. It's the brightest something can be. It's also the name of Detroit Country Day School's most aspirational project in history.

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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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The Chris LeFlore fund and Brett Salamin, Jr. Memorial Fund are designated to provide small grants outside of tuition to help Detroit Country Day Upper School students participate more fully in their DCDS experiences. Students may apply for financial awards contingent upon the fiscal health of the funds. 

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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, Director of Philanthropy, at (248)430-1064 or at TMangalick@dcds.edu

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There are many organizations that donate to Detroit Country Day School by your purchases made through them. The Marketplace is also the place to find links to purchase uniforms, books, and spirit wear. Visit the Marketplace page today to see which organizations donate back to DCDS.

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The Path of Excellence is a lasting tribute to the students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Detroit Country Day School. This program provides an opportunity to commemorate individuals, programs, or experiences which shaped their years at Detroit Country Day School. The paver path begins at the Upper School's main entry drive, traverses the hill top overlooking the Shaw Stadium, and culminates in the Circle of Excellence and the Circle of Champions adjacent to the grand stand and press box. The Circle of Excellence honors All-State and All-American recognition while the Circle of Champions honors All-State team recognition. 

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Walk the Path of Excellence to find messages;

• Expressing class spirit
• Recognizing individual or team accomplishments
• Thanking an inspirational teacher, coach, or advisor
• Honoring years of service or retirement
• Celebrating graduations
• Remembering cherished friendships and experiences

Gifts made through the Path of Excellence program support the enhancement of athletic facilities and programs for students of all ages at Detroit Country Day School. Selection of the Path of Excellence on the giving form will reveal sizes, costs, and character limits. 

The Path of Excellence program is co-sponsored by the Blue & Gold Club and the Alumni Council

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

There are many ways alumni can help support and stay connected with the school. Visit our alumni page to learn more!

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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:

• 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)

Our generous donors give for many reasons. Read the articles below from two of our donors on why they give to the school.

Detroit Country Day Designs a Vivid Future by Jonathan Boos (September 1, 2018)

Upper School Student's New Gen Z Company Continues the Philanthropic Priorities of Millennials by Liz Katz (May 6, 2019)

 

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.