Annual Fund FAQs

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

• My family is already paying tuition. Why should we also give to the Annual Fund?

  EB’s Board of Trustees is committed to keeping tuition competitive. One way to accomplish this is to increase revenue through gift income, a standard practice at all US independent schools. Currently, the Annual Fund provides approximately 3% of EB’s operating budget, which is roughly 6% lower than other average Bay Area independent schools. Annual Fund gifts can be advantageous for families as they are:

  • Tax deductible
    Adjustable to each family’s financial comfort
    Eligible for corporate matching
    A demonstration of community support to outside foundations, donors, and grant providers

• Is EB a registered non-profit organization?

  Yes! EB is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Our tax ID number is: 94 242 7286.

• Do donations support particular school programs?

  Annual Fund donations are used to support all of EB’s operations and programs for the current academic year. The funds support our school’s diversity through financial aid, continued programmatic excellence, a fully integrated bilingual curriculum, arts and citizenship programs, technological resources, faculty development, library, student support services, and more.

• What is the best way to give to the Annual Fund?

  • Make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly gift online. 
  • Make a pledge. A pledge is a promise of payment, to be fulfilled at a later date, by May 1, 2024.
  • Make a gift of cash
    Donations made by cash, check, or credit card are tax-deductible in the year the gift is made (Tax ID 94 2427286). Checks should be made to Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley and mailed to EB Development Office, 1009 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710.
  • Make a gift of stock
    To contribute the fair market value of appreciated securities and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciated value of stock, parents can make gifts of stock. The attached form should be filled out and sent back to EB Development Office, 1009 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710.
  • Check to see if you have a matching gift
    Parents can make their gift go farther! Many companies offer matching gift programs to double or even triple employee contributions to nonprofits. Parents should check directly with their employer to find out if they participate in matching gifts. Learn more. 

• Who donates to the Annual Fund?

  We’re proud of the size and breadth of our giving community. Donors to the Annual Fund include the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni families, corporations, and friends of EB.

• Why is Annual Fund participation important?

  • High parent participation is seen as a vote of confidence—a sign that parents and the entire EB community support the school’s mission and its children. 
  • It inspires outside funding sources, such as foundations that support capital campaigns and similar efforts. These organizations gauge the worth and impact of their grants on the community’s own commitment to the school.
  •  Participation is also leveraged through corporate matching programs, where a single donation can be multiplied.
  • EB is evaluated for accreditation by the NAIS and CAIS (National - and California Associations of Independent Schools), during which time parent participation and giving are considered as an indicator of a vital and supported school community.

  Every gift, whether large or small, has an important impact on the operations, health and spirit of our school.