Why Give?

Four Reasons to Support Annual Giving at PCD

List of 4 items.

1. Improving the School

Your donation improves the quality of education that each student receives and helps prepare the next generation of PCD alumni. The Annual Fund is applied across the budget to buy computers and microscopes, athletic equipment, art supplies, and musical instruments. It helps maintain our 30+ acre facility, and it supports professional development for our teachers.
2. Essential Funding

Tuition and fees do not cover the true cost of a PCD education. Annual giving provides essential funds to cover the expenses associated with preparing our next generation of leaders.
3. Tax-Deductible

Contributions are tax-deductible. Your donation helps PCD and can also reduce your personal tax liability.
4. Culture of Giving

Your gift will grow as it inspires others to give—whether individuals like you who want to make a difference, alumni who appreciate the gift that was given to them, or corporations and foundations, who consider an institution's giving history when awarding grants.

Make a Gift Online

Areas of Support

List of 3 items.

Annual Fund

The PCD Annual Fund supports the dedicated faculty, financial aid, and facilities that enable PCD students to thrive here now and continue to do so long after they leave. Because we hope to make a PCD education available to as many qualified and deserving students as possible, tuition revenue funds only 85% of our annual operating budget; the balance is funded through the generosity of donors.

There are two types of gifts to the PCD Annual Fund:

1) Unrestricted
This is the fund that gives PCD the flexibility to budget for the best interest and greatest needs of the school each year, whether that’s to buy computers and microscopes, athletic equipment, art supplies, musical instruments, or hand sanitizer. These gifts are essential for keeping the lights on every day!

2) Restricted
These gifts are made in support of causes most important to the donor or for specific purposes. This can include Henry Barnard alumni who would like their gifts to only benefit the Henry Barnard lower school. If you would like to direct the use of your Annual Fund contribution, please include that information when you make your gift.
Capital Giving

Unlike the Annual Fund, which funds about 8% of our operating budget and is spent each year, capital gifts generally support specific initiatives—either facility improvements or endowment.

Think of our Annual Fund as our checking account, paying for day-to-day expenses, and capital gifts as a savings account for special projects and long-term investment. Capital gifts allow PCD to think strategically beyond immediate needs and plan for a secure and vibrant future. They can fund new buildings and campus renovations, and they can add to the endowment to fund faculty compensation, programs, and financial aid.

A healthy endowment can also give a school greater flexibility during challenging economic times, so that its long-term health is not compromised. PCD's endowment is managed by the Rhode Island Foundation and is invested for long-term growth.
Endowment

An endowed gift is one that is intended to be used in perpetuity. The PCD endowment allows the school the flexibility to respond to unexpected events (like a pandemic) and to have a consistent source of funds. These gifts are often made through charitable bequests but can also be made at any point in someone’s lifetime. These gifts can have tax benefits for the donor and their families.

John Mullen '02

PCD taught me countless life lessons but one of the most important was how to fail. That might sound crazy but learning how to bounce back from failure gave me confidence in all I did going forward. PCD gave me countless opportunities to try something new in the classroom, on the field and in the community.
Earl "Rusty" Powell ’62 (Director Emeritus, National Gallery of Art)

I had a wonderful time at PCD. My career in the arts developed in an unpredictable fashion, moving from academia to the museum world. But PCD gave me a very good grounding in the basics. I think PCD did instill certain values - appreciation of education, arts, and sports.
Paula McNamara, alumni parent & trustee

The small community of caring and professional scholars stands out. Each child is treated like the individual he/she is. No one is lost or left behind. As you walk through the halls you get the sense of respect the students have for each other and the pride they have for their school. My son formed great relationships with many teachers and coaches and friendships with classmates. He will remember PCD as the school that helped him learn to take risks, push beyond his comfort zone and prepare him to excel in college.
Amy Beretta, parent

PCD affords our children the opportunity to challenge themselves with rigorous academics in a supportive and nurturing environment. PCD strives to help all children fulfill their potential in every aspect of their lives and helps to prepare them to become contributing members of their communities. Thanks to PCD our children have the confidence to try new things in and out of the classroom, and have the tools to succeed in their future endeavors.
Nathan W. Chace '58

I attended PCD for only 2 years – my junior and senior years. Having been only an average student in a local public school system, PCD turned my act around. I learned how to study and was able to go on to Brown University and the University of Virginia Law School. I have always felt that my transfer to PCD was the single biggest factor in establishing my career, and I have thoroughly enjoyed giving back to PCD over the last 59 years.
Marcia Hoffer, alumni parent & trustee

When my daughter, Katie Goetz ‘04 visited PCD, she knew immediately that it was the high school for her. She told me afterwards, that she really liked the way the kids treated each other and felt that the academics were more challenging that she had seen at other schools. She was right. She had a wonderful experience. I only wish that I could have attended PCD but, at the time I went to high school, it was boys only.

Meet the Department

List of 3 members.

Mark McLaughlin

Associate Head of School for Advancement and Strategic Partnerships
Michaela Walker

Associate Director of Development
Jahdae Thomas

Special Events and Volunteer Management Coordinator