Giving

Each year, campaign dollars are applied where they’re most needed, allowing CMS to remain financially strong and responsive to changing priorities. This means that while funds may support specific initiatives in one year, in another they may help meet different operating needs that keep our school thriving.

Your generosity makes both immediate impact and long-term growth possible. Recent areas of support include:

• Continuing our vital peace education work in the face of rising costs
• Making world-class Montessori education accessible to more families
• Maintaining exceptional professional development for our staff that keeps us at the top of their field
• Helping the Parent Social Committee provide fun family outings for the CMS community

Every contribution strengthens CMS, ensuring that your children and our community have what they need to flourish - today and for years to come.

The Annual Pink Tower Campaign helps bridge the gap between tuition and the full cost of delivering an exceptional Montessori education in well-rounded community setting. Like most independent schools, CMS does not receive state or federal funding. We rely on philanthropy to make up the difference between tuition income and the actual cost of operating a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Tuition is carefully set each year to cover the essentials: staffing, day-to-day operations and the predictable costs we must budget for to responsibly plan each school year. The Annual Pink Tower Campaign goes beyond that foundation. It provides the flexible resources that allow CMS to go further: sustaining our mission, empowering our faculty and enriching the daily experience of every child. In other words, tuition keeps the doors open; the campaign keeps our community thriving.

Fundraising is also a reflection of our values as a community. It’s how we come together to ensure that CMS remains strong, vibrant and ready to serve both our children and the world they will shape.

Our most important goal is 100% participation from the entire CMS community, because every gift, no matter the size, demonstrates our shared commitment to our children and to one another.

Whether your contribution is $5, $10,000, or more, giving at a level that feels meaningful to your family is what truly makes a difference. A generous gift from your heart will be deeply appreciated and have an immediate and lasting impact on your children’s education and experiences at CMS.

Yes, donations to CMS are tax-deductible gifts. After making a donation, you’ll receive a letter confirming your contribution to a certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. You should keep this document for your tax records.

Participation in the campaign is a visible sign of our community’s investment in our children’s future, and it models generosity and collaboration for them. When organizations like ours garner 100% participation, it demonstrates that our community is committed to our mission and invested in itself. It also encourages larger, outside donors to give, and many grantors and foundations will not support an organization unless it can reach this high level of participation. Any amount counts towards our participation goal.

Yes! The Annual Pink Tower Campaign is a community-wide effort, and we welcome gifts from anyone who wants to support Chesterfield Montessori School. Grandparents, alumni, extended family and friends all play an important role in strengthening our school. We are passionate about involving your entire family network in promoting Dr. Montessori’s vision for global peace, human development and human rights.

Absolutely! While financial gifts are vital, there are many meaningful ways to support the Annual Pink Tower Campaign and the CMS community.

• Volunteer your time and skills. Parents have helped with the compost and garden maintenance, assisted teachers with classroom organization during staff-training days, as well as shared professional expertise in creative and valuable ways.
• Make a gift of stock or stock options. Reach out to Jennifer Blasingame for details.
• Purchase an item from our “School Wishlist.” These range from small supplies to larger items that teachers want to have in stock for the children.
• Ask about employer matching gifts. Many companies will match charitable donations made by employees. A quick check with your HR department could double the impact of your contribution.
• Set up a recurring or monthly donation as an easy way to spread your support throughout the year.

We are deeply grateful for the many ways families give to CMS, not just through the Pink Tower Campaign, but also through your time, talents, and dedication to the children’s education. It is your partnership that makes our community so strong and special.