Gifts Totaling US $487,805 Received - What a Great Year! During the 2005/06 academic year, donors made gifts to ASSIST totaling $487,805, the second most significant fundraising year in our history.
Leading the way were gifts totaling $215,110 to support students from eastern and central Europe. In addition, Director Emerita Julia and Parker Hall made a gift of $120,000 to the endowment, the income from which will fund one student annually from the region. This completes a three-year commitment from Mr. and Mrs. Hall, as they sponsored 10 students in each of the previous academic years.
Also adding to this impressive fundraising total was $47,000 distributed from the ASSIST Förderverein in Germany. These funds help talented and deserving German students to afford program fees that would otherwise be out of reach economically.
You will read below of a record-breaking unrestricted Annual Fund, in addition to which $2,610 was received as a restricted Annual Fund gift, in this case to purchase backpacks for the Class of 2005/06, now an annual tradition supported by ASSIST Director Pamela Thye.
Rounding out the generous gifts was a $10,000 charitable gift annuity received from Ken and Betsy Lindfors, previously reported in the winter 2006 newsletter. As well, the Barnes Foundation continued its tradition of support with a $
5,000 grant to help underwrite the experience of American teachers attending the Workshop on European Unity held in Brussels, Belgium, this past June.
We extend warm thanks to the many donors who make possible so much of ASSIST's most important work.
2005/06 Annual Fund Sets New RecordWith the support of more than 100 friends of ASSIST, the Annual Fund closed on June 30, 2006, with record receipts of US $88,085.
We are indebted to these donors, who have given expression to their faith in ASSIST's mission with important and timely gifts. The Annual Fund provides critical support to ASSIST's operating budget, enabling us to keep program fees low - and so putting the ASSIST experience within financial reach of many more deserving students.
The 2006/07 Annual Fund campaign has already commenced, with early gifts from ASSIST Board members and other friends already totaling $40,500. We are gratified to have received three gifts already from ASSIST alumni, a signal of their gratitude for the life-changing experience provided by their ASSIST scholarships.
During the 2006/07 Annual Fund Campaign, we will reach out more intentionally to alumni and have confidence that you will help us to keep ASSIST strong and vibrant.
Historic Partnership Established with ASSIST Förderverein in Germany Over the past two years, ASSIST USA has worked closely with its colleagues of the ASSIST Förderverein of Germany to strengthen fundraising initiatives. This fall, an agreement was reached, and is in the final stage of implementation, to undertake joint fundraising efforts within Germany - thereby allowing alumni, parents, corporations and other friends of the program to support both ASSIST and the Förderverein with gifts that qualify for tax reductions.
Founded in 1982, the Förderverein has supported deserving and needy German students since the 1986/87 academic year by helping to underwrite their program fees. During that period of time, 263 impressive young people have received grants totaling $806,452. Now, the Förderverein will also work with ASSIST to underwrite the significant costs of supporting needy students during their exchange years in the U.S.
More news will follow soon to friends in Germany regarding how to take advantage of this new opportunity to support ASSIST while enjoying tax savings. As we perfect this partnership, we plan to roll this model out in other countries in the ASSIST family of nations.
Frederick Wandelt: Raising Revenues for ASSIST During the 2006/07 academic, ASSIST is fortunate that Frederick "Ferdie" Wandelt is able to devote himself more fully to the work of ASSIST.
Ferdie is a prominent figure in the independent school community owing to his 30-year tenure as Director of Admissions at The Taft School (CT) and to his volunteer leadership as a Board member of Secondary School Admissions Test Board, The Association of Boarding Schools, Challengers, ASSIST and other organizations. We are fortunate that, during his sabbatical year from Taft, Ferdie has taken a leave of absence from the ASSIST Board to work even more fully with ASSIST President Bob Stanley to raise program and fundraising revenue for ASSIST.
Ferdie has already spent a week in Germany with ASSIST Director J. Wood "Woody" Rutter, advancing ASSIST's mission. Ferdie and Woody are two of the longest-tenured Board members, and each has made a special commitment to our work in Germany, among other countries.
Support of Students from Eastern and Central Europe As the 2006/07 academic year begins, we are delighted to have 35 students representing 7 eastern and central European countries in our class. We are equally delighted that families and donors have stepped forward with sponsorship funding for 27 of these outstanding student ambassadors. By making a gift of $7,000 for each student sponsored, a generous donor allows that student to accept a scholarship valued up to US $37,800.
We are enthused by the generosity of these donors, yet we are still seeking gifts that will support the remaining 8 students. Currently, ASSIST must divert income from its reserve funds to make this opportunity possible.
You are encouraged to contact ASSIST President Bob Stanley if you would like to sponsor one of these remarkable scholars.
