Everything we enjoy at GFA today exists because someone before us believed in a dream they might never fully see realized. Now, it’s our turn to build on that legacy.
Guided by our mission and values, the Lives of Purpose: The Centennial Campaign for GFA is the school's bold step into its second century. This comprehensive fundraising initiative supports key priorities across campus, ensuring that future generations experience the same sense of belonging and purpose that define GFA today. Before launching publicly, GFA made major strides:
- Opened a new science lab to support Advanced Inquiry
- Created the Lower School Dining & Student Commons and the Lower School Assembly Room
- Established 15 new endowed funds supporting academics, libraries, financial aid, and community service
- Increased the GFA Fund from $1.8M to $3.4M
- Broke ground on a 30,000-square-foot Athletic and Wellness Center
Learn more below...
Our Priorities
Campus Renewal
Creating Spaces to Connect and Collaborate
GFA seeks to reimagine features of our campus, to support joyful community life more actively and to engage in collaborative learning, design, and innovation. We are committed to strengthening connections through dynamic learning venues as well as flexible spaces that enhance mentoring relationships and community life. To that end, we must improve current spaces and add new facilities.
This project gave the Lower School a new, light-filled space to connect and collaborate. Integrating seamlessly with existing Lower School structures and the courtyard, the 3,000-square-foot space allows for two lunch periods, age-appropriate seating, and an adjacent satellite kitchen and servery. The project also reduced food waste through the addition of a composter and created intentional opportunities for younger students to learn table manners and practice thoughtful meal-time conversation.
Already a well-used space, the Assembly Room was thoughtfully updated, reinforcing its role as a hub for the Lower School. A raised ceiling, increased natural light, and a modest stage enhance music instruction and performances, a new entrance improves flow from the Dining and Student Commons, and updated equipment supports sound quality. Throughout the day, the room serves as a shared space for collaboration, imaginative play, and connection.
The baseball field enhancements—including third base line fencing, upgraded dugout benches, a new bullpen, and branded on-deck circles, bat racks, glove cubbies, and windscreens—contribute to an upgraded experience for athletes and coaches alike, fostering a high-quality athletic environment for practices and games. The fencing improves safety for players and fans, while the bullpen offers designated space for pitchers to train and warm up.
The 30,000-square-foot Athletics & Wellness Center (AWC), which broke ground in 2024, will serve as a multi-purpose hub for GFA’s sports and physical education programs. The space includes two full-size basketball courts, wrestling mats, two additional squash courts with a viewing gallery, a life-fitness center, locker rooms, athletic offices, storage, and a training room.
GFA’s Heartland—the central hub of the main building—includes the atrium, Bedford Gym, fitness center, locker rooms, classrooms, and offices. Planned expansions will add a new dining hall, servery, and additional classrooms and common areas for the Middle and Upper Schools.
Endowment Growth
Secure the Future
Financial Aid
GFA students are young people of exceptional ability with the promise of leadership in many endeavors. The school seeks such talent among students from a wide variety of economic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds who will be active in their own education.
While GFA has increased our financial aid budget to $5 million in the past three years, our ability to admit and support promising students with financial need remains limited. GFA intends to grow the portion of the endowment restricted for financial aid to more than $10 million. This growth will help make a GFA education accessible to promising students with financial need.
Faculty Support
GFA is defined by the quality, character, and dedication of its faculty. They breathe life into their courses and instill confidence and intellectual curiosity in their students. They teach by example through the discipline of their scholarship, the depth of their convictions, and the strength of their compassion.
To ensure that GFA can continue to attract and retain teachers of such caliber, we seek to raise additional endowment to support the professional growth of our faculty members, funding advanced study, sabbaticals, professional development, and the support of travel to academic conferences.
Newly Established Funds
Thanks to our community's generous support, 15 new endowed funds have been established as part of Lives of Purpose: The Centennial Campaign for GFA. Read more about their impact below:
- Bettegowda Family Scholarship Fund
- Blair Family Fund
- Bucknall Keane Family Scholarship Fund
- Centennial Fund for Faculty Excellence
- The KS Community Service Fund
- The Nancy E. Lauber ’51 Head of School Fund
- Margaret Miles ’63 Fund
- Nirmel Family Fund
- Andy and Kristy Papadakos GFA Opportunity Fund
- The Ponomarev-Dusheyko Fund
- The Potack Family Fund
- The William Reeves Fund
- Dr. Vera Rhimes Scholarship Fund
- Savone Family Science Fund
- The Von Kohorn Family Endowed Fund
Bettegowda Family Scholarship Fund
Blair Family Fund
Bucknall Keane Family Scholarship Fund
Centennial Fund for Faculty Excellence
The KS Community Service Fund
The Nancy E. Lauber ’51 Head of School Fund
Margaret Miles ’63 Fund
Nirmel Family Fund
Andy and Kristy Papadakos GFA Opportunity Fund
The Ponomarev-Dusheyko Fund
The Potack Family Fund
The William Reeves Fund
Dr. Vera Rhimes Scholarship Fund
Savone Family Science Fund
The Von Kohorn Family Endowed Fund
Campaign Committee
Sandy Ewing P ’20, ’23, ’26, Chair
Howard Blaustein P ’31, ’35
Bill Bucknall GP ’24, ’26
Abby Hausberg P ’34, ’36, ’39
Ward Horton P ’24, ’28
Ryan LaForce P ’26, ’28
Dean Martire P ’29
Dmitri Ponomarev P ’30, ’31
Bob Whelan P ’24
In both scope and ambition, Lives of Purpose: The Centennial Campaign for GFA is the most significant in the history of the school. This campaign seeks to strengthen GFA’s position among independent schools and to maintain GFA as a leader for the coming century.
Ward Horton P ’24, ’28
chair of the board of trustees
Campaign Launch
The Centennial Gala
In October of 2025, the Centennial Gala served as the official public launch of the campaign. That evening's paddle raise established the Centennial Fund for Faculty Excellence, raising over $2 million. This permanent endowment keeps GFA faculty at the forefront of emerging research and pedagogy, strengthens the school’s culture of teaching excellence, and ensures GFA remains a destination for outstanding educators.
Together, we create lives of purpose.