Understanding the
Summit Fund

The Summit Fund is the name Summit’s annual fund, our highest priority fundraising effort. Contributions to the Summit Fund go directly to support critical day-to-day operating expenses of the school. These expenses include salaries for the teachers our students know and love, Montessori materials, faculty professional development, field trips and outdoor education excurions, financial aid, enrichment activities, and campus upkeep. 

Traditionally, tuition is set to cover about 85% of a school’s operating expenses. By keeping tuition more affordable, Summit can offer an excellent education to a more economically diverse student body and allow Summit to be accessible to a larger population. The School relies on those who can, and do, give to keep tuition more  affordable for everyone. Gifts to The Summit Fund are entirely tax-deductible. 

The entire Summit community of parents, alumni, faculty, staff, board members, family, and friends of the school participates in the Summit Fund. Every gift makes a difference—every gift has an impact on every student in every Summit classroom. Strong participation from all of our families is a wonderful indicator of support for our School and inspires larger donors. 

The level of your gift is something only your family can determine. We ask that current families consider making a meaningful gift, what we like to call their “Best  Effort.” We ask that current families consider Summit their top philanthropic priority. Although there is a wide range in the amount of gifts, a leadership level gift is considered $1,000 or more a year. The average non-board parent gift is $250 annually. We cannot emphasize enough, however, that every gift makes a difference, regardless of its size. 

Spreading a gift to the Summit Fund over the year is a great way to make a big impact to the school with a smaller impact on your budget. Consider becoming a Summit GEM, or someone who Gives Every Month. Setting aside a small amount to come out of your account automatically gives the school reliability and predictability and gives you the opportunity to make a bigger overall gift than you might have been able to otherwise. You can become a Summit GEM right from the giving portal by selecting "ongoing" when you put in your monthly donation amount.

You can make a gift online from Summit's website or from your BigSis account under the tab "Make a Donation."

Gifts can be made by check, made out to "Summit Montessori School" with the memo line indicating "Donation", and either mailed to the school (283 Pleasant St, Framingham, MA 01701) or handed in to the office.

Gifts to the Summit Fund are tax deductible. Many employers offer matching gifts, please ask your Human Resources department.