WHAT IS THE ANNUAL GIVING DRIVE?

The Annual Giving Drive is the centerpiece of Larchmont Charter’s fundraising efforts. The Annual Giving Drive supports Larchmont’s expeptional program - a challenging, constructivist learning environment, with the arts, sciences and physical education integrated into the standards-based curriculum - that is not funded by the State of California education funding model. The money raised during the Annual Giving Drive is a crucial portion of our annual operating budget. This yearly fund-raising effort raises money that is essential for ensuring the quality of the educational experience for our students.

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While many families donate a monthly pledge amount, many families prefer to donate a one lump sum during the year. Other families make multiple gifts; for example, they may make one gift in the fall and then make another gift in the spring after receiving their tax refund. Gifts range from $20 to in excess of $40,000.

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We invite you to choose an amount that is meaningful and works for your family. As LCS is a charitable organization, donations are 100% tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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DO CHARTER SCHOOLS RECEIVE LESS MONEY THAN TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

Yes. A January 2012 report by the state Legislative Analyst's Office found that charter schools receive between 7-20% less funding than traditional schools across the board. We rely heavily on our parent and school communities as well as grants and corporate donations.

 

WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO GIVE MONEY? ISN'T LCS A PUBLIC SCHOOL?

California ranks among the last in the nation in per-pupil spending and the funds that the state provides must often be supplemented by the generous support of parents, grandparents and community members. Virtually every public school in California — not just charter schools — must fundraise from families in order to continue quality programs like music, art, p.e. and low class size. There is a shortfall between the funds that the state provides for a basic public education and the enriched education that our children receive at Larchmont Charter School.

 

WHERE DO MY ANNUAL GIVING DRIVE DONATIONS GO?

Your donations to the Annual Giving Drive directly support Larchmont Charter School. Money raised during the Annual Giving Drive directly, and indirectly, affects each class and each student at LCS. Whether the school can afford to retain the high-caliber of teachers we currently have and maintain the level of enrichments & electives offered each year is determined by the success of our Annual Giving Drive and other fundraising events. You can feel great about giving generously to LCS!

 

ARE MY DONATIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

Yes! Larchmont Charter School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Our tax ID number is 57-1206928.

 

WHAT IS THE MOST BENEFICIAL WAY FOR ME TO DONATE? AND WHAT IS THE MOST IDEAL GIFT AMOUNT FOR THE SCHOOL?

The most beneficial way for you to give is online at: www.larchmontcharter.org/give or with a check or cash and a Pledge Sheet turned into your campus office. When considering the amount of your gift, please keep in mind:

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• Our school is socio & economically diverse by design. More than 40% of our families qualify for federal assistance. Please give generously with others in mind.

• We hope your donation to the Annual Giving Drive will be your biggest charitable contribution of the year.

• Have a serious conversation as a family and discuss how this will fit into your financial budget.

• You can pledge now and donate in the spring.

• If you are coming from a private school, think about donating 1/2 of the tuition you would pay - still a savings!

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If you have questions about the amount of your gift, you can reach out to development@larchmontcharter.org for guidance.

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Don't forget to check out the many companies that match employee, spouse, and retiree donations by going to www.larchmontcharter.org/employer-matching. It's a great way to SUPER-SIZE your donation!

 

IF I MAKE A GIFT, DO I HAVE TO PAY IMMEDIATELY?

No, although giving your donation in full early in the school year is definitely preferable if you want to make a donation to LCS and must make your gift contribution in the future that is fine. Please let us know when you plan on making your gift by filling out a Pledge Sheet and plan on making your gift by June 30th.

 

ARE DONATIONS TO LCS VOLUNTARY?

All donations to Larchmont Charter School are voluntary. Your decision to invest in your child's education and the amount you give has no impact on whether a child is accepted for enrollment or continues to be enrolled in LCS. However, we want every family to understand that while government funding provides basic free education to all children, the enriching curriculum offered at LCS relies on parent participation, including financial and volunteer time contributions. We ask that all families participate in making a meaningful donation to LCS. If this curriculum is a priority for your family, we ask that you consider a gift contribution that is meaningful to your appreciation of our school.

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Our goal for the Annual Giving Drive is 100% participation among LCS families to support our children’s education. We encourage every family to give as generously as possible. Every gift - whatever the size - is gratefully received and strengthens our community.

 

CAN I FUND A SPECIFIC GRADE, PROGRAM OR SPECIALTY CLASS?

Money raised during the Annual Giving Drive cannot be accepted as a restricted or directed gift. The LCS Board of Directors and LCS Finance Committee manage the LCS school's annual operating budget and set the priorities of program and curriculum goals each year.

 

I VOLUNTEER SO MANY HOURS TO THE SCHOOL, WHY SHOULD I GIVE MONEY ON TOP OF THAT?

Volunteerism is the cornerstone of Larchmont Charter School. Volunteering directly supports class teachers and classrooms, student life and other school events. While your volunteering is crucial (though not required) to the success of our school and your child’s education and directly aids our teachers and curriculum, LCS must also stay financially viable. Therefore, fundraising and financial support do go hand-in-hand with volunteerism and both are equally important.

 

WHAT IF I NEED TO STOP MY RECURRING DONATIONS?

As a sustaining donor, your credit card will be conveniently billed every month. If you need to suspend your membership, please contact development@larchmontcharter.org. 

 

WHAT IF MY MONTHLY INCOME IS UNPREDICTABLE OR DROPS AND I CANNOT PAY THE AMOUNT THAT I SIGNED UP FOR?

We ask each LCS family to make an annual gift that is meaningful and fiscally comfortable. If at any time you would like to increase or decrease your pledge contribution, please contact development@larchmontcharter.org to adjust your pledge.

 

WHAT IS ADA?

ADA stands for “Average Daily Attendance.” The state of California funds school districts based on each student’s daily-recorded attendance. ADA is calculated by dividing the total number of days of student attendance by the number of days of school taught during the same period. Larchmont Charter School budgets for program and curriculum based upon projected enrollment and ADA. Additionally, LCS only receives money for the days when a student is actually in school. If your child has an unexcused absence, the school loses money - about $45 per student per day. That can really add up!

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DOES LARCHMONT SHARE DONOR INFO?

We will not sell, share or trade our donors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by Larchmont Schools, both online and offline, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.

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Larchmont Charter School will fully examine all requests for refund and endeavor to ensure that genuine errors are rectified, however, we are under no obligation to give refunds and the decision on refunds will be at Larchmont Charter School’s discretion.

To request a refund, call (323) 380-7893 ext 301 or email development@larchmontcharter.org. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.

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If an error has been made by Larchmont Charter School, we will issue a refund of the full amount will be made once we are notified of the error.