Punahou Class of '79: 25th Reunion: Class Giving FAQ

25th Reunion

Class Giving FAQ

Punahou School 2004 Class Gift Fundraising Notes

Punahou Facts

Punahou is the largest independent school in the United States with over 3,700 students and a 76-acre campus. (Kamehameha now has more students including pre-school and their multiple campuses, we are still the largest single campus.)
Punahou's endowment of over $100 million ranks it among the top 10 independent school endowments in the nation. One measure of the effectiveness of an endowment is on a per student basis. Given the size of Punahou, the large endowment is spread more thinly than at other leading schools. Hence our continual effort to increase endowment along with other fundraising efforts.

General Independent School Financing

Independent Schools are funded by a combination of tuition revenues, earnings from general endowment and annual fund gifts. Punahou's tuition covers about 85% of the per student cost. The annual fund, Living Endowment, contributes over $1million each year to the operating budget, about 2% of total expenses.
Financial Aid, specific program expenses and all building projects are funded through contributions to Punahou, not from tuition revenues.

Why the Middle School?

The educational program, the core of the Middle School project, is based on years of faculty work and research, including a faculty group in Castle Hall, the Bishop Mixed Plate faculty group and synthesized by the Middle School Steering Committee. The faculty work is firmly grounded in national and international educational research.
Early adolescence is a critical developmental period as children transition to young adults. This period is often one when parents 'hold their breath" hoping that students "make it through." Yet, developmentally, it is an incredibly exciting time as children determine who they are and who they will become. Punahou aims to support this transition in a more attentive, energized and collaborative way.
The Case Middle School at Punahou will be a model for middle school learning, providing opportunities for a wider array of learning and integration not seen elsewhere. The program, the organization and the facilities will further Punahou leadership role on a national and international level.
Punahou can transform the educational experience for over 1,000 students each year, dedicating additional acreage to learning space and committing the operational budget to support additional teaching staff.

Case Middle School Campaign

The lead gifts by the Case Family, totaling approximately $10 million, provided the confidence and inspiration to consider transforming the Middle School learning environment.
The Campaign to develop the Case Middle School, as the largest ever undertaken by Punahou, needs the support of all of Punahou's ohana. The project, at a total cost of $62 million, encompasses:
- all of the infrastructure and relocation work necessary to accommodate the new campus area,
- all of the "soft" costs of program development and design,
- the construction of the 9 new campus buildings including a parking deck for 150 cars as well as extensive landscaping,
- the renovation of Castle Hall, and
- some expected financing costs incurred during the pledge period of the campaign.
The Kelley Generations Challenge has challenged the Reunion Classes of 2004 to raise $1million collectively. If the Classes of the '4s and '9s rise to the challenge, the Kelley Family will give Punahou an additional $1million gift for the Middle School.
The Reunion Classes are approaching their Reunion Class Gifts by inspiring the giving leadership of the class to step up to the challenge and make an early, thoughtful commitment to Punahou. The success of this leadership phase within each reunion class will demonstrate the potential and possibilities for each class to reach a new level of support for Punahou.

Progress to date:

Giving to Punahou - Details

What is our goal?
$179,000 or 100% participation.
What are '79 class gifts to date?
$65,000 to Case Middle School.
Will the school send me pledge reminders if I choose to pay over several years?
Pledge reminders will be sent to you from Punahou.
What are the different donor recognition levels?
Punahou Donor Recognition is based on gifts to Punahou during a fiscal year (for example: 7/1/03-6/30/04).

Founder's Circle: $10,000+
President's Council: $2,000-$9,999
Principal's Society: $500-$1,999
Century Club: $150-$499

How do I make a pledge/donation?

Fill out a Class of '79 pledge form.
All gifts to Punahou are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Gifts can be made by check, charge card or through the transfer of appreciated assets.
If a donor wishes to transfer stock, contact Linda Torres in the Development Office at Punahou at (808) 944-5806 or at torres@punahou.edu to find out detailed information. The benefit of transferring appreciated assets are as follows:
- The donor takes advantage of a charitable tax deduction equal to the market value on the day the asset is transferred (Punahou will confirm this amount based on IRS regulations.)
- The donor, by transferring the asset itself, does not incur a capital gains tax.
- Important to remember that only assets with capital gains are advantageous in a gifting situation.
Pledges for class gifts are accepted for up to three years, with the first payment made in the year of the reunion. (Punahou's fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.)
Matching gifts by corporations and businesses double (sometimes triple!) the value of your gift. These matching gifts count towards the direction of a donor's gift and will be counted for the Kelley Generations Challenge.
If you don't have a pledge form, call or email a committee member, or contact Susan Miyabara smiyabara@punahou.edu or (808)945-1361.
Don't forget to indicate that it's a Class of '79 class gift.

Mail to:
Class Gift
Punahou School
1601 Punahou Street
Honolulu, HI 96822