The Hammond Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is the heartbeat of Hammond.
It powers our ability to think ahead, ensuring every student and teacher thrives in a setting of excellence. From attracting first-class educators to enhancing facilities, funding innovative programs, and covering everything in between, the Annual Fund fuels it all.
Let's Make a Difference–Together.
Whether students are in the classroom mastering new concepts, on the field scoring the winning goal, or on stage stealing the spotlight, the Annual Fund helps make it all possible.
Together with income from auxiliary programs, the Annual Fund bridges the gap between tuition and the true cost of a Hammond education. Your support helps keep tuition accessible while preserving the exceptional experiences that set Hammond apart.
Every gift matters. Every donor makes a difference. Let’s keep the Hammond tradition strong—together.
| Annual Fund Gifts | Annual Fund Pledges |
Annual Fund Giving Levels
| Head of School Council | Trustees’ Council | Founders’ Club | Hammond Patron | Hammond Friend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum: $10,000+ | $2,500-$4,999 | $1,000-$2,499 | $500-$999 | $1-$499 |
| Gold: $5,000-$9,999 |
Lower School families who make a philanthropic gift of $1,000 or more during an academic year are recognized as members of the 854 Society. The goal of the 854 Society is to encourage leadership and philanthropic support early in the Hammond experience.
Ways to Give to the Annual Fund
| Cash/Check/Online |
|---|
| The majority of Annual Fund gifts come in the form of cash or check. Click HERE to pay by credit card or mail directly to Hammond at 854 Galway Lane, Columbia, SC 29209. |
| Gifts of Stock |
| Hammond accepts gifts of publicly traded securities. Gifts of appreciated securities held for more than one year is the most tax-wise way to donate. Receive immediate fair market value as a charitable deduction and avoid capital gains tax. |
| Matching Gifts |
| Employer matching gift programs can double or even triple your gift. Check with your Human Resources Department to see if this opportunity is available. |
| Pledge |
| Make a pledge to the Annual Fund and pay by June 30, end of the school’s fiscal year. |
FAQs
| My family already pays tuition, why is a gift to the Hammond Annual Fund needed as well? |
|---|
| It is a reality not just at Hammond but at all independent schools; tuition alone cannot fund the entire cost of a private education. Because tuition only covers 86% of the school's operating costs, Hammond is dependent upon unrestricted Annual Fund contributions to help close the gap between tuition and the true cost of a Hammond education each year. Your voluntary, tax-deductible support helps Hammond address its highest priorities and immediate needs within the current school year's operating budget. |
| How does the Hammond Annual Fund benefit my child and my family? |
Every dollar contributed to the Hammond Annual Fund is used to provide for the outstanding faculty, programs, and facilities that directly benefit your student every day. Specifically, gifts to the Annual Fund help Hammond:
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| You stress the need for a high level of participation in the Hammond Annual Fund, especially among parents. Why is this so critical? |
| High participation rates among members of the Hammond community are a vote of confidence - a sign that our parents and others invest in our students' future and support the School's mission. This percentage has a direct impact on gifts from outside sources such as grant-making foundations and capital donors. High rates of participation are required by foundations before they will consider our grant requests. |
| How much of a difference can my gift really make? |
| Hammond School has fewer supporters than a large university or charity. But our needs are just as great, so every gift counts more. That's why we ask every member of the Hammond community - including our Board of Trustees, parents, faculty and staff, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, and friends - to make a yearly gift to the Annual Fund. The culture of philanthropy at Hammond - both past and present - allows your child to benefit from an engaging educational experience within an intimately scaled, caring, and diverse community where opportunities abound, and meaningful relationships inspire transformative learning. |
| How much should my family contribute? |
| We ask that everyone in our Hammond community give at the level that is right for their family. Gifts at all levels - from the Head of School Council to the Friends Level - are valued and deeply appreciated. |
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WHEN WE COME TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE WONDEROUS THINGS.
THIS IS HAMMOND THINKING AHEAD — The combination of our extensive programs, talented faculty, first class facilities, and sense of community. This is what helps us grow compassionate, articulate, and disciplined young people. — THIS IS HAMMOND.