A Message on Development :
Giving at Burke Mountain Academy
The BMA school community prides itself on the commitment of each student and member of the BMA community to participate and uphold the values that make BMA a unique and strong school. The successful completion of our annual development programs each year is a testament to the strength and devotion of the extended BMA community. We are most grateful for your commitment and support of all our initiatives.
THE BMA ANNUAL FUND– 2008 Goal: $250,000:
What is the Annual Fund?
The BMA Annual Fund is the fundraising initiative to which our entire community- current parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of graduates, trustees, staff and friends- contributes annually. The purpose of the Annual Fund is to fund the “gap” between tuition and the real cost of educating a student at Burke Mountain Academy. Annual Fund dollars support staff development, scholarship aid, and facility maintenance and other programmatic initiatives. Annual Fund giving supports numerous classroom and community initiatives throughout the school, including educational programs, professional development, financial aid and facilities enhancement. Gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible and are typically made before the end of the calendar year. In the event you wish to make a phased payment, commitments are appreciated before Dec 1, 2007 and payments can be made prior to the end of the campaign year, June 30, 2008. Payments in full or monthly can be made on line, visit our website (www.burkemtnacademy.org) to make your gift on line. Should you wish to donate gifts of appreciated shares of stock, please contact the Development Office for transfer instructions.
Does your company offer a Matching Gift Program?
Corporate matching gifts are a great bonus both to us and the students at BMA. We are deeply grateful to those of you who take advantage of this important corporate opportunity and choose Burke as a recipient of your matching dollars. Please inform us if you will be utilizing this program so we can obtain the appropriate paperwork from your corporation.
How else can I get involved?
Volunteers drive our parent giving program and many of our other development initiatives. If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Development Office.
If you are interested in information related to gifts of stock or planned gifts of any kind, please call us. The benefits are many and varied both for you and BMA, and we are here to assist you.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RAFFLE – Goal: $40,000:
What is the Green Mountain Run?
The Green Mountain Run (GMR) is a longstanding BMA tradition and the Raffle component serves as the final fundraising effort of the school year. Our goal this year is to raise $40,000 through ticket sales. The legend of the GMR began on a spring day in 1975 when two staff members were talking about the unique Burke spirit and the students’ love for physical and mental challenges. One said, “You know, it would be fun to run the length of Vermont.” His imagination stirring, he said, “We could start at the Canadian border and run south to Massachusetts on Rt 100 past all the big ski areas…” And, so began the GMR- the 211 mile relay that embraces the best of the Burke spirit. The relay now runs south to north and each student runs a 4-5 mile leg, often in the company of friends, staff and family; relentless cheering and colorfully decorated BMA vans complete the picture. It is an unforgettable event.
What is the Green Mountain Raffle?
In the early days, the kids found sponsors for each of their legs of the relay to raise money for the school’s scholarship fund. Today we have a raffle of many fantastic prizes donated by friends and family of BMA. This year we have eight (8) drawings to choose from. Raffle prizes include a MacBook computer, a weekend in NYC, a mountain bike package, a weekend at the Stowe Flake resort in Stowe, VT and various sporting packages, and of course the grand Prize of $2,000 cash.. The beauty of the Raffle is that you select the drawing you want, and purchase as many chances as you wish to win it! Of course, you can decide to enter as many drawings and buy as many tickets as you like. All proceeds from the GMR raffle support our scholarship fund, enhance our academic curriculum and benefit faculty enrichment. The Green Mountain Raffle is held the weekend after the run in conjunction with graduation dinner.
If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket, please contact us at info@burkemtnacademy.org
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE:
SPONSORSHIP
Opportunities abound for sponsorship of Burke Mountain Academy events. If you know of any businesses (your own included) which might be willing to sponsor a BMA event, such as the Green Mountain, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the possibilities.
WISH LIST and GIFTS-IN-KIND
During the year we will send out a “wish list” which may include anything from four wheel drive vehicles to vacuum cleaners. This list is a compilation of input from the entire school staff of items that the school needs, but which are not included in the school budget. There are some cases where your business supplies goods and services which could greatly benefit the school. Recent gift in kind donations Items received in the past have included items such things as a roller for Nordic grooming, heart rate monitors, video cameras, and technology equipment..
OTHER ENDOWED FUNDS
Please contact the Development Office if you are interested in learning more about opportunities to give to specific Scholarship Funds and Restricted Giving initiatives.
