Guide to Giving

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

The Board of Trustees’ objective is to safeguard and  advance the mission of Marin Montessori School.  The board consists of current and alumni parents, alumni,  grandparents, and key community representatives, all of  whom share a deep commitment to MMS. 

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION 

The Parents’ Association (PA) is run by a dedicated  group of current parents who coordinate volunteer work,  fundraising, and special events that promote a vibrant  MMS community. 

For more information on whom to contact and how to get  involved with the PA, please click here.

ADMISSIONS AMBASSADORS 

Admissions Ambassadors support MMS by volunteering  at admissions events and tours. Ambassadors provide  support to prospective families by making themselves  available for questions as families navigate the admissions  process. Ambassadors also participate in our “Stewards”  program that works to welcome new MMS families into  our community. 

ANNUAL FUND LEVEL CAPTAINS 

Level Captains support MMS through our annual fundraiser,  the Annual Fund. Level Captains are available for questions  and conversations regarding the impact of giving and  encourage 100% participation from their level. 

ROOM PARENTS/JUNIOR HIGH PARENT AMBASSADORS 

Room parents and JH parent ambassadors play a key role  in supporting their child’s teacher and the Junior High  Director in event planning, communications, and a range of other activities for the class.

THE MMS RELIEF & ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN 

The Annual Fund is a yearly donation-based drive to  support the school’s annual operating budget. These 100%  tax-deductible contributions support all aspects of the  school’s operations, including the highest level of AMI  Montessori education for students in every classroom,  our beautiful indoor and outdoor learning environments,  and our tuition assistance program. 

As is the case at independent schools everywhere, tuition covers most of our operating expenses, but not all of them.  While MMS could raise tuition to cover operational costs,  budgeting for a fundraising gap enables the school to keep  tuition more affordable in order to include a diverse range  of students and families. 

This year the Annual Fund is being combined with our  MMS Relief Fund once again. All donations to the MMS  Relief & Annual Fund will support MMS’ ability to meet the  additional pressures COVID-19 has put on our school’s  financial resources as well as help meet our tuition gap  per student.  

The MMS Relief & Annual Fund supports:  

• Short Term Tuition Relief Program 
• Increased financial aid 
• New outdoor learning spaces 
• Upgrading our technology for distance learning 
• Essential equipment, cleaning services and supplies,  hygiene stations, personal protective equipment for  our campus and crew’s safety and health 

We ask each member of our community to consider giving  as generously as you can to support the continued financial  health and safety of our school.  

ANNUAL FUND GIVING LEVELS 

• $50,000 and above Century Circle 
• $25,000 - $49,999 Visionaries 
• $15,000 - $24,999 Innovators 
• $10,000 - $14,999 Explorers 
• $5,000 - $9,999 Scholars 
• $2,500 - $4,999 Builders 
• $1,000 - $2,499 Mentors 
• up to $999 Friends 

CAPITAL GIVING 

Gifts that support costly improvements to the school’s  programs and campus can be discussed at any time  throughout the year. Projects must be mission-aligned and  match the strategic direction as outlined by the campus  planning committee. 

ENDOWMENT GIVING 

Gifts to the endowment strengthen the financial health and  flexibility of MMS. The principal of an endowment gift is  invested, and the income generated becomes a source of  revenue for general or targeted support. These funds  enable MMS to weather changes in our economy and take  advantage of timely opportunities to expand, strengthen,  and innovate. 

PLANNED GIVING 

Planned gifts are a way to meet your philanthropic and  financial goals while leaving a legacy that supports a Marin  Montessori education for future children. Planned giving  can be as simple as including a bequest to MMS in your will,  or a gift that can secure income for life through a remainder  trust.  

MATCHING GIFTS 

Don’t miss the opportunity to double your gift! Many  employers offer to match employee gifts to charitable  organizations up to 200%. Please check with your company  to see if it offers matching gifts, or let us know if we can  assist you with this process. Remember that gifts from  spouses and retirees may also be eligible. 

Since MMS' inception more than 40 years ago, parents, faculty,  and staff have been contributing their creative energies into  designing an evening of fun and community building to  raise money for tuition assistance. Money is raised through  soliciting sponsorships from families and businesses, class  projects, and a paddle raise for “Fund-the-Children.” 

In 2019-2020, we reimagined our annual event and launched  a new speaker series, The Gather for Good. The Gather remains our primary method for raising funds for tuition assistance but also serves as an annual opportunity for our  community to come together in celebration of our values, strengths, and passions – educating ourselves on the topics that matter most. 

In February 2020, we were honored to welcome former Vice President Al Gore to our stage. His leadership in combating  the climate crisis is not only inspiring but also reflects our mission to challenge our children to engage in meaningful, world-changing work. 

In Spring 2021, the community came together to explore  the intersection of food, education, and sustainable agriculture. Partnering with our local expert, Alice Waters, who is the world’s leading advocate for what she has coined, “Edible Education.”