Philanthropy FAQs

Your participation is a demonstration of your trust and investment in French International. Increased participation enables French International to boldly pursue the strategic initiatives that will continue to move the School forward. It also demonstrates to philanthropic foundations that our community is strong, united, and worthy of outside support.

The Annual Fund campaign begins in September and extends until December 31. However, any gifts made before June 30, 2023 will count towards this year’s Annual Fund. Make your pledge now, regardless of when you plan to give! Your contribution provides immediate support to the current year’s operating budget.

Every gift is important. Gifts to the Annual Fund range in size from $10 to $10,000. The average annual gift per family is $900. Many of our families choose to make a leadership gift of $1,979 or greater to become a member of the 1979 Society.

We understand that everyone’s financial circumstances are different, but we ask that you prioritize French International as one of your top philanthropic investments and make a gift that is meaningful to your family. Gifts of every size count toward our family participation goal.

The 1979 Society honors the year that French International was founded. Donors who make a leadership gift to the Annual Fund of $1,979 or greater — or grandparents who make a gift of $197 or greater — (including matching gifts) within the fiscal year (July 1–June 30) become members of the Society.

Membership benefits include: special communications from school leadership, recognition in the Annual Report on Philanthropy, and an invitation to an annual celebration honoring your leadership commitment to French International.

Tuition + is an option to simplify your giving to the Annual Fund by combining it with your tuition payment. Tuition + is equal to 7% of your student’s tuition. This option can be selected during enrollment (or re-enrollment). 

Gifts to the Special Appeal are 100% tax-deductible. Purchases made during the Gala’s silent and live auction are tax-deductible to the extent that the gift exceeds the value of the item purchased. Raffle tickets are not tax-deductible.

The Annual Fund and the Gala are separate fundraising initiatives. The Annual Fund supports the greatest need of the School, and the Gala supports financial aid. Parents are encouraged to participate in both initiatives to ensure that the School can provide an exceptional educational experience and access to our program through critical financial aid.

A gift is a single payment, made by either cash, check, credit card, or securities. A pledge is much like an IOU—it is a promise to make a gift at a later date or over time in installments. By making a pledge, we are able to count on your gift toward our goal now, and you can make your payment(s) before the fiscal year ends on June 30th.

Yes! For some donors it is advantageous to make a gift of appreciated securities. Generally, the fair market value of the gift is tax-deductible, and capital gains taxes are avoided.

If you are interested in learning more about making a gift of securities, please email giving@faispdx.org or contact Shawna Foster, Director of Development, at 541-304-5417.

Yes! This is a powerful way to double (or even triple) your contribution to the school. Please contact your employer’s Human Resources office to facilitate a match. The School will acknowledge you in the Annual Report for the combined total of your personal contribution and the matching gift.

See if your company matches charitable gifts or volunteer hours:

Check for matchable gifts

Note to Intel and Nike Employees: Gifts to French International, in order to be eligible for matching gifts, must be made through the Intel portal on the Benevity website. Search for FAIS to donate with a credit card or PayPal.

Intel on Benevity

Nike on Benevity

Each year, we encourage you to participate in the Annual Fund, which supports the greatest current need of the school, and in the Annual Gala, which supports Financial Aid. You are also welcome to designate your gift to the Endowment to help build an enduring source of financial support for years to come. These are the top priorities for philanthropy at French International.

Under certain circumstances, the School will consider a designated gift outside these primary giving focuses. If you are interested in designating your gift, please email giving@faispdx.org or contact Shawna Foster, Director of Development, at 541-304-5417.

We are currently in the process of building the next Strategic Plan for French International, as well as drafting a new Site Plan for the School. Our hope is that we can launch the next campaign by September 2023.

If you are interested in being involved in fundraising for the next phase of capital developments at French International, please contact Shawna Foster, Director of Development, at sfoster@faispdx.org or 541-304-5417.

Yes! Please contact Shawna Foster at sfoster@faispdx.org for more information.