The BGA Fund

Tuition ensures a strong foundation for every student's journey. It funds our operational needs, from hiring exceptional educators to maintaining our facilities. The BGA Fund, however, is what allows us to Unleash Opportunity for every Wildcat, every day. These foundational expenses absorb all of the tuition revenue. In order to enhance the experience for each student, additional dollars are required. Put most simply:

Tuition = Operations
BGA Fund = Enhances
Capital = Transforms

The BGA Fund is our annual fund, and your opportunity to make an immediate impact each year — empowering faculty, enriching student life, and helping us deliver on our promise to ignite and nurture curiosity, intellect, and character.

It is always a good time to give to the Annual Fund! Your participation is appreciated all year long. Once a donation is recorded from your family, we will apply ‘participation credit’ toward each BGA student in that household. Our fiscal year begins on July 1 each year, and the earlier you give allows us to thank you all year-long rather than asking multiple times!

The BGA Fund is one way that we ensure excellence. BGA relies on annual donations to provide 3.5% of our operating budget, which amounts to $982 per student. The BGA Fund helps to secure innovative curriculum, best-in-class teacher resources, exemplary field trips, enriching and exciting community-building activities for students, cultural activities and
celebrations, and much more.

Like all independent schools, we do not receive federal funding from the government and tuition alone does not cover the true cost of an exceptional BGA education. The BGA Fund is a critical source of non-tuition, tax-deductible revenue and helps the school deliver and enhance programming on all three campuses. The BGA Fund is a chance for every family to invest directly in the daily experience of every student on our three campuses. Every gift matters. Every student benefits. Your gift also gives our school the financial means to attract and retain the best faculty, serve a talented and diverse student body, and enhance state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, without a robust BGA Fund, costs would have to be passed on in the form of higher tuition.

At BGA, we keep tuition as accessible as possible while delivering the exceptional educational experience that has defined us since 1889. If tuition were set to cover the full cost of every program, many families would be unable to join our school community.

This approach allows us to build a learning community where students bring different viewpoints and strengths that enhance discussions, spark creativity, and give every student valuable experience working with people who approach challenges in different ways. These interactions help develop adaptability, empathy, and problem-solving skills that prepare
graduates to thrive in college, in their careers, and in life.

The BGA Fund is one of the ways our community works together to provide the best possible experience for every student. Support from families strengthens the programs, resources, and opportunities that define a BGA education, ensuring it remains as strong for today’s students as it will be for those who follow.

Participation in The BGA Fund is a voluntary but powerful way to show your commitment to the BGA community and help unleash what’s possible for every student. Some have shared they think of giving back to our school in this way and some have shared they think of it as an expression of gratitude.

Gifts of all sizes are appreciated, as they all help sustain our extraordinary culture and create new possibilities for our school and children. While we don’t request a specific amount, we hope you’ll give a gift that is personally meaningful and significant to you. We’ve listed donation-giving levels on our website. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but we hope
you’ll find our mission at or near the top of your philanthropic giving priorities, especially while your child is a student here.

As a reference point, the gap between tuition and the actual cost of our operating budget is $982 per student. We hope you’ll consider a gift in this amount or more if you're able.

Every gift, no matter the size, has a real impact.

Yes, we do. While almost 1⁄2 of our annual support comes from our current families, the remaining donations are received from other key stakeholders in our community that believe in the mission of BGA. These prospective donors want to see initial support from the inside before they will commit to the effort!

Corporate: Local businesses give to BGA most traditionally in the form of advertising, sponsorships, or in-kind gifts to support our many annual events. Do you have a business? Reach out and let’s explore together what your support might look like!

Alumni: As our students go on to graduate and thrive in their professional adult lives, giving back to BGA is one way they show their appreciation for the investment we made as a school community to prepare them to be successful, thriving adults.

Trustees and Staff/Faculty: We’re proud to share that each year our trustees participate at the 100% level and staff and faculty giving averages over 95% of participation! In addition to all our employees do to serve and give back to our student community each day, working here means more than a job to our employees. We take our commitment to community to
heart and invite you to do so, too.

Yes, at 100%. Battle Ground Academy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and gifts are tax-deductible as allowable by law. Please consult your tax advisor with specific questions.

The BGA Fund supports the current school year’s day-to-day operations — everything from academic programs and arts opportunities to faculty development and campus maintenance. Gifts to the BGA Fund are designed to be fulfilled by the end of our fiscal year, June 30, and have an immediate impact on students.

A capital campaign, on the other hand, funds a specific major project — such as a new building or significant renovation — that supports the school’s long-term growth. These projects are above and beyond the operating budget, often have a set timeframe, and may span several years. Capital campaign commitments can typically be pledged over three to
five years.

While they serve different purposes, both the BGA Fund and capital campaigns are essential to BGA’s strength and future. Together, they ensure we can deliver an exceptional education today and continue to grow for the generations to come.

Yes. While gifts to our General/Unrestricted Fund are considered the MOST helpful to BGA and show your trust in our leadership to use the funds in the way that is needed the most to help BGA thrive, restricted gifts are also an option. Each gift has the opportunity to be designated to a fund that aligns with your personal passion area. Contact us to learn about additional opportunities that may be available, but our primary designations include the following:

● Faculty/Staff Professional Development
● Athletics
● Curriculum
● Student Activities
● Scholarships
● Special Projects

BGA has a robust endowment that helps support the financial stability of BGA for the long-term. Additionally, we’ve been blessed with many endowed scholarships and support for capital improvement projects. While support for the BGA Fund allows our school to meet what we would consider required expenses to provide an exceptional BGA experience,
additional donations will be solicited from the Parent Association events and fundraisers for additional dollars that will help fund school identified priorities that our operational budget can’t afford but would enhance our school. These generous funds year-over-year have funded exciting projects that help improve not just the student experience but also improve
staff/faculty retention and improved learning environments!