2011-2012 Annual Giving Campaign
	Tuition alone does not cover the cost of educating our students: like other independent schools, GFA depends every year on unrestricted tax-deductible gifts to Annual Giving to bridge the difference.  Net tuition in fact makes up only 77 percent of yearly expenses, leaving us with a gap of $3,017 per student.   Annual Giving enriches every arena of school life, ensuring that we are able to maintain a strong program and innovative curriculum.  Contributions to this year's campaign will fund:  classroom technology, including a pilot iPad program and an expansion of our SmartBoard platform use of the Westport Playhouse for our Upper and Middle School musicals as well as for all our Winter Concerts scientific and laboratory equipment, including a new wet lab and environmental research tank room classroom equipment, furnishings and state-of-the-art educational tools, from Harkness tables to foreign language conversation software and new musical instruments  teacher training providing our faculty with opportunities to expand his or her knowledge base and teaching practices   visiting and resident writers,  musicians and artists who work closely with, inspire and mentor our students Additionally, every year Annual Giving helps cover our $1 million yearly debt service payment.

	2011-2012 Annual Giving Tri Chairs    US: David and Molly McGrath    MS: Jeff and Wendy Nixon    LS: Bill and Kara Bohnsack    Goal                         $1,650,000    Start Date:         July 1, 2011  End Date:           June 30, 2012 ___________________________ Class Captains Tally Ackerman Sarah Balsley Liz Bothwell Gary and Carolyn Cohen Deirdre Daly Tyler Duer Silvia Durno Fanny Flecha-Hirsch Mari Flicker Mario Fontana Beth Forfang Kim Foster Shelly Garner Hildi Glicklich Shelley Goldsmith Bonnie Hirschfeld Sally Holzinger Arlene Howard Brenda Janotta Barb Johnson Pat Lennon Michele Litt Liz Mao Morgan Mermagen Liz Moley Samantha Mooney Frank Mori Cathleen Morgan David Murphy Hunter and Deborah Murtaugh Amer Nimr Bonnie Paige Trish Paliotta Lisa and Michael Rintoul Kim Rummelsburg Lisa Shanahan Ashley Skatoff Berkeley Soper Tracey Stidolph Candace Wagner Carol Cheswick Wilson Jim Wolfe Carl and Courtnie Zuckerberg GFA counts on the generosity of our extended community to support Annual Giving, which enables our school to further develop the unique blend of a traditional education and innovative teaching that characterizes the GFA education. Donors will be recognized according to giving circles in the 2012 Charitable Giving Report.    Giving Circles Head's Circle $25,000+ * Founder's Circle $20,000-$24,999* Beachside Circle $15,000-$19,999* Courtyard Circle $10,000-$14,999* Orchard Circle $5,000-$9,999 Garden Circle $2,500-$4,999 Blue and Red Circle $1,000-$2,499 Friends of GFA up to $999   *Donors at these levels are Leadership Donors.  If you wish for your gift to remain anonymous, please notify the Office of Advancement when making your gift.   To make a gift to Annual Giving, please click here. While unrestricted gifts give the School the most flexibility to use funds where they are most needed, annual restricted gifts are also welcome.  For more information about Annual Giving at GFA, please contact Christy Ball at (203) 256-7552.   2011-2012 Annual Giving Chairs   Parent Tri-Chairs:  Upper School - David and Molly McGrath (Parents of Brooke '11, Suzy '13 and Clara '17) Middle School - Jeff and Wendy Nixon (Parents of Allie '14, Eliza '16 and Bella '19) Lower School - Bill and Kara Bohnsack (Parents of Charlie '20 and Bella '21)   Past Parent Chairs: Marc and Theo Bergschneider (Parents of Peter '04 and Nikki '11)   Grandparent Chair: David McKane (Grandparent of Eva Hafner '18, Wilson Hafner '18 and Sloane Hafner '23)