As a private, independent day school, Lake Highland has two primary sources of operating revenue: 1) tuition & fees and 2) philanthropic gifts. Gifts allow us to expand and enhance the distinctive programs at our school, increasing the exceptional opportunities for every Highlander student.

No. Private schools have long relied on the generous contributions of their constituents to advance their schools. Nearly every private, non-profit school depends on both tuition and gifts to operate.

The development team in the Advancement Office, members of the Board of Trustees, and volunteers lead the efforts to solicit contributions that align with the school’s strategic priorities and provide additional resources for the school.

We actively solicit and gratefully receive contributions from current parents, alumni, grandparents, trustees, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the school through the Highlander Fund, capital campaigns, endowments, and planned giving.

The Highlander Fund is Lake Highland’s annual fund, the foundational fundraising effort for the school. Annual gifts to the Highlander Fund supplement tuition revenue and enrich every facet of the school, providing vital resources for academic programs, technology, arts, athletics, campus security, and more. 

All gifts are used for one purpose: to benefit Lake Highland students and elevate their educational experience. Gifts may be unrestricted, supporting the school’s greatest needs and highest priorities, or donors may choose to designate their contributions to a specific area, such as arts, athletics, or leadership development programs. One hundred percent of your gift supports the designation you choose.

We need and appreciate gifts of all sizes. We encourage our families to give according to their resources and their desire to make a difference. Your participation in giving, at any level, is an important statement of support for the school and its mission – cultivating the intellect and character of our students.

Yes. Lake Highland is a qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) organization as determined by the IRS, and donations made to the school are generally tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please consult your tax professional with any specific questions you have.

Lake Highland has several donor recognition societies and programs to thank, celebrate, and steward our donors. 

Created in 2002, the Lake Highland Preparatory School Foundation, Inc. established a separate 501(c)(3) to hold and manage endowments for the school. The purpose of these endowments is to support the mission of LHP and the school’s long-term financial stability. The Foundation currently holds nine endowments, which function like savings accounts for the school. Endowments are established and funded by donors, allowing them to create a legacy that provides permanent financial support for a specific area of interest or need at Lake Highland. An endowment retains and conserves the principal of the donated funds and uses the growth, or interest earned, to fund needs in the desired area. Endowments can be established in honor of a loved one, or in recognition of service or achievement. To learn more about giving to Lake Highland’s endowments, click here.

Yes. Lake Highland gratefully accepts planned gifts to the school through donors’ estate plans, wills, life insurance, retirement plans, or other means. These important gifts have a powerful impact on the future of our school. To learn more about our planned giving programs, click here.

Lake Highland has a Gift Acceptance Policy in order to ensure all items we accept are useful to the school and help fulfill our educational mission. In accordance with this policy, gifts of personal property must be reviewed by the Gift Acceptance Committee, which will determine whether they meet the policy’s terms. If you have questions about donating personal property, please contact the Advancement Office.