| Support MUS |
| Annual Fund |
|   By giving to the Annual Fund, you touchevery aspect of school life — academics, athletics, fine arts, extra-curricular programs, technology, and facilities. Tuition covers only 73 percent of the operating cost at MUS. The Annual Fund exists to compensate for this difference and further the quality of the MUS experience. Without this fund, tuition would increase more than $1,500 per student. A strong and growing Annual Fund ensures that MUS will continue to offer the best in all areas to students. MUS's success relies on the support of alumni, parents and grandparents of current and former students, faculty and staff, trustees, businesses, and friends of the school. In 2007-08, these supporters contributed $1,142,976 to the Annual Fund, an 8.3 percent increase over the previous year. MUS has several contribution levels, from Donor (less than $50) to the Ross M. Lynn Society ($5,000 or more). Every contribution is vital in maintaining MUS's tradition of excellence and furthering our mission of developing well-rounded young men of strong moral character.
The generous support of MUS donors allows the school to continue to fulfill its mission of providing academic excellence and developing well-rounded young men of strong moral character. Donors to the MUS Annual Fund improve the education of students every day.
Gifts to the MUS Annual Fund go to work immediately to improve the experiences of our students and the faculty.
Contributions go towards bettering the MUS experience for students, teachers, and parents. Improvements in the academic, athletic, and extracurricular pursuits of the school allow MUS to maintain its competitive edge among peer schools. The Annual Fund begins a new campaign each fall with a solicitation to our alumni, parents of current students, parents of alumni, grandparents of current students, trustees, faculty and former staff, and friends of the school. The school operates on a fiscal year from August 1 to July 31. Once you have made a gift, we try to ensure that you will not be solicited again (by mail or phone) during the rest of the fiscal year. Once you have pledged your support to the school, you should not receive the general Annual Fund solicitations. However, pledge reminders are sent regularly to those who have an unpaid pledge.
MUS needs your support every year. The dollars provided through the Annual Fund are used for the immediate operations of the school. We hope that all prior donors will renew their support of the Annual Fund before the close of the fiscal year on July 31. New donors are welcome to make a gift at any time during MUS's fiscal year, which runs August 1 through July 31. Donations can also be made on the school's secure website.
Tuition reflects the rising cost of education, which includes salaries, facilities maintenance, insurance, and all the other aspects of running an independent school. MUS's tuition covers only 73% of its operating budget. The Annual Fund compensates for this difference. Without the Annual Fund, we would need to raise tuition by more than $1,500 per student. We would rather rely on parents and other donors to make additional tax-deductible gifts to the school than set a higher tuition price. This ensures that a greater pool of qualified students is able to attend the school.
We encourage all of our alumni to stay involved in the school—by attending athletic events and theatrical productions, by participating in our alumni events, and by making financial gifts. Your continued involvement, both personal and financial, strengthens the MUS community. Your own MUS education was supported by alumni who came before you. We hope that you will show the same generosity in preserving traditions and promoting excellence for future generations of students.
The school would like to avoid charging higher tuition for two reasons. First, we are dedicated to the academic and moral development of able boys, not just those whose parents can afford high tuition. Relieving some of the financial burden of those parents ensures a greater pool of students, and ultimately, a better school. Second, were we to raise tuition to cover operating expenses, it would be more difficult for us to ask for charitable donations. We would therefore not be able to implement many of the projects and improvements that the generosity of our donors allows.
No, it is not. Virtually every independent school and university in the nation relies on its constituents to provide charitable donations to its operating fund. Each of MUS's competitor schools vigorously solicits its alumni, parents, and friends for donations. See how MUS compares to its peers*:
*figures are for the 2007-08 fiscal year
We do. Several businesses and foundations contribute to the Annual Fund. Often these donors want evidence of strong internal support before they are willing to make a gift. For this reason, it is especially important that we can rely on alumni, parents, faculty, and staff in proving that those most closely tied to the school are enthusiastic supporters. YES! Your gifts to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible under the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code. A receipt for your gift will be sent shortly after your contribution is received and processed by the Development Office. The easiest way to make a gift or pledge from this website is to use our secure online form. You can also make a gift by check (payable to the MUS Annual Fund) by sending it to: Annual Fund Memphis University School 6191 Park Avenue Memphis, TN 38119 To request a pledge form, please call the Development Office at (901) 260-1350. You can also email your pledge to us. You should give as much as you feel comfortable with. We welcome the continued involvement of our alumni, parents, and friends in the school, and giving is a great way to maintain that tie. Any size gift is greatly appreciated, and each gift has a direct impact on the quality of the school experience for our boys and our teachers. Click here to view Annual Fund giving levels.
MUS received $38,500 in matching gifts last year. More than 1,000 parent companies and corporate foundations currently match employees' gifts to nonprofit organizations. If you or your spouse work for a matching gift company, you could double your contribution to the MUS Annual Fund! Many companies will match donations made by employees, retired employees, and spouses. Contact your Human Resources Office to determine if your company has a matching gift program.
You may. Gifts-in-kind are welcome and appreciated by MUS. These include real estate, personal property, equipment, and other in-kind items. We also gladly accept gifts of appreciated securities. Please contact Perry Dement.
Certainly you may designate that your gift go toward a specific area of school life. We encourage our donors to make unrestricted gifts because we are able to apply the contributions to the projects which require them most. However, we have several restricted giving programs and are happy to talk to you about establishing new funds.
You may designate your contribution in honor or in memory of another person or persons. The Development Office will send an acknowledgement notifying the honoree of your gift or family (though not the specific amount). Your gift will also be noted in the school's Annual Report and magazine, MUS Today.
Of course. MUS is happy to honor the discretion that some donors may wish to use in making their contributions.
Please contact: Director of Annual Fund (901) 260-1412
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