Annual Fund

All Gifts Make a Difference!

The Annual Fund plays a vital role in the health and growth of independent schools around the world, including FASPS. As part of the school’s budget, the Annual Fund helps make up the difference between what tuition covers, and the actual cost of providing an exceptional bilingual education for all our students. Your participation in the 2024-2025 Annual Fund helps make our school more accessible by providing the quality and diversity of educational experiences that our children thrive on. This year, our goal is to raise $385,000 to support institutional costs like enhanced programming, staffing, an additional campus space, special guest speakers, professional development opportunities, and so much more! Along with that financial goal, we seek to reach 100% community participation in support of the Annual Fund, and we need your help to get there! We hope you will consider making a pledge or donation in support of our thriving FASPS community.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Donor Recognition

FASPS publishes an Annual Report, which includes a listing of its generous supporters. The donor list is based on the giving levels described below and will total your combined gifts to the Annual Fund, the Gala and Auction, PBC Fund, FAN fund-a-need(s), and corporate matches within the fiscal year.
 
Your generous support enables us to give our students “Excellence Today, the World Tomorrow.” Our giving levels have evolved over the past few years, and we hope these giving groups will inspire you to donate this school this year.
 
Annual Fund Giving Levels:
  • Head’s Circle: $20,000 and Up
  • Visionaries: $10,000 – $19,999
  • Partners: $5,000 – $9,999
  • Investors: $2,500 – $4,999
  • Team 1995: $1,000 – $2,499
  • Supporters: $500 – $999
  • Friends: $1 – $499
Donors who contribute $3,000 or more throughout the school year will be invited to a donor thank-you event in the spring.

Donors who contribute $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund will be invited the following fall to an Annual Fund kickoff event.

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • What are the details of the 2024–2025 Annual Fund?

    In 29 years, thanks to the amazing efforts of a dedicated community, we have developed the most comprehensive, harmonized, and successful bilingual program in the area.
     
    The Annual Fund plays an essential role in ensuring we have the resources to provide our students with what they need to reach their full potential. At a time when our expenses have increased sharply with investments, revenue from the Annual Fund is critical to the financial health of our school.
     
    The Annual Fund goal is $390,000, and we strive to reach 100% participation from our FASPS community.
     
    The Annual Fund Giving Week is September 30 – October 5. Please visit https://www.fasps.org/giving-form-page to make a gift or pledge today.
     
    Thank you for supporting FASPS! We are a thriving community thanks to the work, passion, resilience, and commitment of so many. Your gift, no matter the size, makes such a difference to FASPS. Let us count you among those who support our Annual Fund this school year.

  • What does the Annual Fund actually support?

    Donations to the Annual Fund go towards the current fiscal year budget and supports everything from technology, programs and resources, special guest speakers, upgrades to classrooms, supplies, professional development, music and arts, and so much more. All funds are used during the school year in which the donation is made, meaning your gift has an immediate impact on the education of your child!

  • What are the Ways To Give?

    • You can make a donation or pledge by filling out our Giving Form. Pledges will be counted now towards our Annual Fund total but can be paid any time prior to June 30, 2025. 

    • To make a gift to the Annual Fund by check or cash, please make the check out to The French American School of Puget Sound and mail it to:
     
    The French American School of Puget Sound
    ATTN: Development Office
    3795 East Mercer Way
    Mercer Island, WA 98040
     
    • If you would like to make a stock gift, please reach out to Debbie Baxter at (206) 275-3533 ext. 281 or email debbieb@fasps.org. 

  • Why not just charge more for tuition?

    Unlike tuition, gifts to the Annual Fund are 100% tax-deductible. In addition, many companies provide matching funds, which can double the amount of their employee’s donations. We strive to keep our program accessible to a wide variety of families and community members, and your contributions to the Annual Fund help increase access to more families across the region.

  • Why are all families asked to give?

    Supporting the Annual Fund is the best way to ensure we can maintain the high-level quality of education FASPS provides and allows us to stay at the forefront of bilingual institutions in the region. Family participation in the Annual Fund helps us keep tuition increases to a minimum so that more community members can benefit from a FASPS education. Additionally, when seeking contributions from corporations and foundations, demonstrating a 100% family participation shows collective internal support and demonstrates the need for additional external community support to fund our robust and high-level programs.

  • How much should I give?

    Gifts of all sizes matter and positively impact FASPS and our programs. Donation levels vary from family to family, and we ask that you and your family contribute a gift that is meaningful to you! Every family’s donation counts, and collective contribution will get us to our financial goal. Since 8–10% of the budget is not covered by what tuition generates, your support and 100% family participation are what truly make the difference.

  • How can I check if my employer can match my gift?

    You can check if your organization will match your gift by heading to our Giving Form page, then scrolling down to the search bar where it says “See if your employer will match your donation.” Search for your employer’s name, and you will be able to review matching programs, amounts, guidelines, and even access their matching gift form.

  • What if I want to make a gift and match directly through my employers’ website rather than through the FASPS Giving Form Page?

    You can make a gift and match directly through your employer's portal if they have this option available to you. If you plan to make your gift directly via your company portal, we ask that you please let us know by emailing Debbie Baxter at debbieb@fasps.org, so that we can set up a pledge for your donation and match and count your gift towards our fundraising totals.

  • Any other reason I should give to the FASPS Annual Fund?

    Not only do your gifts set a great example of philanthropy for your children, but your gifts encourage other community members to give back, too. When members of the community share their excitement for contributing to the financial health of the school, it sets the tone and inspires collective giving.

Contact:

Heidi Paige
Director of Development
(206) 275-3533
Emma Smith
Associate Director of Development 
(206) 275-3533, Ext. 
Debbie Baxter
Development Database Manager
(206) 275-3533, Ext. 281

FASPS

MERCER ISLAND
(Preschool, Elementary, Middle School)
3795 East Mercer Way
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 275-3533
info@fasps.org
SEATTLE – CAPITOL HILL
(Preschool Campus)
1823 East Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 644-8348
info@fasps.org
With two campuses, our main campus on Mercer Island and our new preschool campus in the vibrant Capitol Hill area of Seattle, the French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) is a private, bilingual school for children age 18 months (tiny young pre-kindergarten) through grade 8. Students benefit from a rigorous academic program, arts and technology curriculum, social and emotional learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
Non-Discrimination Policy

The French American School of Puget Sound does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, financial aid programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. This policy applies to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities, including applications and admissions, generally accorded or made available to students at the school.