Make A Gift

THE SYCAMORE FUND
The Sycamore Fund is the school’s highest fundraising priority. As with all independent schools, Sycamore relies on our community to give annually to help us fund projects and programs that make us the unique school we are. Your tax-deductible donation goes to work immediately, benefiting students in this school year. Your gift affects their daily experience and is a direct investment in:
  • Professional development for our talented and dedicated faculty
  • The latest advances in technology
  • A vibrant art and music program
  • An encouraging and competitive athletics program
Each year, your support of the Sycamore Fund bridges the gap between tuition and what it actually costs to educate a Sycamore student. The gap represents the difference between excellent education and a truly exemplary one in which innovative ideas and state-of-the-art resources for teaching and learning are not compromised by budget constraints. We ask every member of our community to participate with a meaningful gift as every student benefits from the programs Sycamore offers.
 
Every gift makes a difference!
Sycamore Fund gifts make an immediate impact benefitting all students throughout the year.
 
How much should we give to the Sycamore Fund
We encourage you to make a meaningful gift commensurate with your family’s personal circumstances. Every gift makes an immediate impact, is deeply valued and goes towards the exceptional educational experience that Sycamore provides. All staff, alumni, and families are asked to make a gift to the Sycamore Fund.
 
Our goal is 100% parent participation each year.
 
Giving Levels
Sycamore Circle: $10,000 or more
Visionary: $5,000 to $9,999
Head of School Circle*: $2,500 to $4,999
Leader: $1,000 to $2,499
Supporter: $500 to $999
Friend: $1 to $499
*Donors at the Head of School Circle and above are invited to attend a reception with the Head of School and Board of Trustees each spring to acknowledge their generosity.
 
Sycamore Fund gifts are recognized in the Sycamore magazine each year according to giving level.
 
What about corporate matching gifts?
Some employers will match your gift. Simply submit a matching gift form, often available on your company’s website or from the Human Resources Department along with your gift or pledge. Our Advancement Office will handle the processing. Your company’s name will be listed in our Annual Report and you will be recognized for the value of your gift, including the matching amount.
 
Gifts of Securities/Stock
Gifts of appreciated securities offer you two-fold tax savings. First, you do not pay capital gains tax on the increased value of the securities. Second, you are entitled to a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the securities on the date the gift was given. Directions on how to give a gift of appreciated securities are available from Holly Lee, Director of Advancement, at 317-202-2504 or lee.holly@sycamoreschool.org.
 
Sycamore Society
The Sycamore Society recognizes and honors individuals who provide support for Sycamore in their wills, trusts, life insurance designations, and other planned gifts. Your investment funds the Financial Aid Endowment, which attracts and retains gifted students at Sycamore, despite their family’s ability to pay. As you choose where to invest your estate funds, we hope you will consider a gift to Sycamore School.
 
Tribute Gifts
  • Gifts In Honor: A wonderful way to honor a loved one or cherished teacher is with a gift to the Sycamore Fund. We will send an acknowledgment to the honoree as well as provide you with a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution.
  • Gifts in Memory: Gifts in memory are a thoughtful way to pay tribute to someone. We will notify the family of your gift and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt.
Thanks for contributing to the Sycamore Fund with an online gift. If you would like to make a tribute gift, please list the name(s) of the honoree(s) in the comment box below.

100 in 100

Help us reach 100% in 100 days!
Our Annual Giving campaign for 2019-20 is officially underway.
Gifts from the extended Sycamore School community are crucial to the ongoing academic and financial health of the school, and ensure that Sycamore continues to provide highly gifted students with the support and education they need to become creatively productive, ethical world citizens.

The gifts raised from the community go towards everything from providing students with access to learn the latest technology in our Innovation Lab, to building new Athletics facilities and funding innovative programs and our experiential field trips, creating a life-long impact.

Every bit of support—from annual giving to SSA events, capital, and endowment—serve to advance the school’s mission and help raise each child's potential to the power of Sycamore. With your generous and loyal support, you are helping to sustain the legacy of the Sycamore community for current and future generations to come.

    • Preschoolers in the Outdoor Science Lab

GIVING FAQ

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Q: What are the levels of giving?

    Sycamore Circle: $10,000 or more 
    Visionary: $5,000 to $9,999 
    Head of School Circle*: $2,500 to $4,999 
    Leader: $1,000 to $2,499 
    Supporter: $500 to $999 
    Friend: $1 to $499 

    *Donors at the Head of School Circle and above are invited to attend a reception with the Head of School and Board of Trustees each spring to acknowledge their generosity. 

  • Q: Can my employer match my gift?

    Some employers will match your gift. Simply submit a matching gift form, often available on your company’s website or from the Human Resources Department along with your gift or pledge. Our Advancement Office will handle the processing. Your company’s name will be listed in our Annual Report and you will be recognized for the value of the gift.

  • Q: How do I give gifts of securities and stock?

    Gifts of appreciated securities offer you a two-fold tax saving. First, you do not pay capital gains tax on the increased value of the securities. Second, you are entitled to a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the securities on the date the gift was given. Directions on how to give a gift of appreciated securities are available from Holly Lee, Director of Advancement, at 317-202-2504 or lee.holly@sycamoreschool.org.

  • Q: How does planned giving help Sycamore?

    As you choose where to invest your estate funds, we hope you will consider a gift to Sycamore School. The Sycamore Society recognizes and honors individuals who provide support for Sycamore in their wills, trusts, life insurance designations, and other planned gifts. Your investment funds the Financial Aid Endowment, which attracts and retains gifted students at Sycamore, despite their family’s ability to pay. 


  • Q: Can I make a tribute gift?

    Making a gift to the Sycamore Fund in honor or in memory of a loved one or cherished teacher is a wonderful way to pay tribute to him/her. We will send an acknowledgment to the honoree or family of the honoree as well as provide you with a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. When giving online, in the comment box below, tell us about your tribute/in honor of/in memory of gift.
WHY GIVE TO THE SYCAMORE FUND?
For more than 30 years, Sycamore School students have benefitted from those who have given generously of their time, talent, and treasure. The vibrant life of our school is made possible by the ongoing philanthropic support and volunteerism of all community members including parents, board members, staff, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, foundations, corporations, and friends.

The Sycamore Fund is the school’s highest fundraising priority. As with almost all independent schools, Sycamore relies on our community to give annually to help us fund projects and programs that make us the unique school we are. Your tax-deductible donation goes to work immediately, benefiting students in this school year.

Our unique mission of providing an accelerated and enriched education to gifted students and our successful track record of helping students reach their potential differentiate us from other schools. However, a Sycamore School education is not sustained by tuition alone. Generous donations each year make a significant difference. With the continued support of our community, Sycamore will continue to be one of the top independent schools for gifted students in the country.

We encourage you to make a meaningful gift commensurate with your family’s personal circumstances. Every gift makes an immediate impact, is deeply valued and goes towards the exceptional educational experience that Sycamore provides. All staff, alumni, and families are asked to make a gift to the Sycamore Fund.

Sycamore School is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent you itemize on your tax return.
Indiana’s Only Accredited, Private, Independent Preschool - 8th Grade School for Gifted Students