The BFIS Annual Fund
The BFIS Fund is our yearly fundraising vehicle used to support various projects and programs that tuition alone cannot cover.
Advancing Together
As an independent, non-profit organization, BFIS relies on the philanthropic spirit of our incredible community. It is thanks to the contribution of BFIS donors – no matter the size of the gift – that enables us to develop initiatives not included in the school’s everyday operating budget that enrich the academic life of our students and faculty.
Our BFIS Mission and Vision challenges us to engage our diverse school community in the pursuit of educational excellence and success for all students.
We aspire to continually raise our educational standards, as curricula evolve, new learning tools are developed and the social and emotional needs of students are better understood.
Fundraising Campaign: The Future is Now
A Three-Year Campaign (2022-2025)
Throughout history, renowned change-makers, thinkers and entrepreneurs, from Da Vinci to Malala Yousafzai to Steve Jobs, have been imaginative, interdisciplinary thinkers.
Our current campaign, The Future is Now, will create a signature building where the Arts, Sciences, Design and Athletics can come together to realize our dream of nurturing students’ creativity, risk-taking, confidence, collaboration and entrepreneurial skills.
For the next three years, we are implementing ‘Accelerator Projects’ that support programs and instructional resources that will take student learning further than ever before at BFIS.
A new state-of-the-art building
The Center for Creativity and Innovation (CCI) will provide world-class student experiences that come from learning in a new visual arts classroom, a dedicated teaching and performance theater, secondary school music room and new sports practice spaces. This will enhance not only the Visual and Performing Arts, but we will also be able to link arts learning to new design and technology programs.
Join us in our Future is Now dream to empower BFIS to add these crucial opportunities for students so they can design innovative and sustainable solutions for real world problems. We thank you for your support.
Accelerator Projects for the next three years
Over the next three years, we have ambitious fundraising goals to implement Accelerator Projects. These programs and their associated instructional resources will take student learning to the next level and are organized around our strategic pillars: Experiential Learning, Creativity and Innovation and Individual Potential.
New and renovated learning spaces, interdisciplinary, academically stretching and enrichment programs and new equipment will extend and enrich the BFIS educational offer in three exciting directions.
Help to build a BFIS Robotics program that reinforces our teaching in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) fields.
Some key projects include:
- First Lego Robotics competition ready kits
- Purchasing robotic parts and equipment
- Storage equipment
- Google Tilt Brush
Help to develop the performing arts at BFIS by enhancing the quality of our performing arts spaces and reliable high quality sound reproduction resources in our auditorium.
Some key projects include:
- Sound equipment updates
- Space sound-proofing
- Purchasing instruments
- Sound and mixing equipment
Help us to develop inspiring naturally planted play, adventure, garden, growing and loose parts landscape as a cornerstone of a dedicated Outdoor Learning program.
Some key projects include:
- Renovating green spaces around the Orwell Building
- Sourcing improved surface materials
- Purchasing equipment and planting
- Introducing a school-wide composting program
BFIS Truly Values Your Support
- Your contribution has the power to nurture a state-of-the-art brand new teaching and learning facility that will impact future generations.
- Your gift will benefit children immediately, from the youngest to the eldest, as well as leaving a legacy for future students.
- Donations lift our community as a whole and will enrich the learning experience for each and every child.
- Your donation empowers us to implement creative and innovative, interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
- For the first time in our history, the vision for a future-ready campus worthy of our children is within sight.
- BFIS does not receive any financial support from government sources. You truly make a difference.
FAQs
If you have a question that is not answered here below, please contact our Business Office or our Advancement Department
No. The BFIS Operating budget, whose income source is tuition and other school fees, funds the school’s daily operations. 75% of our Operating Budget is destined for academic expenses – including teacher and academic staff compensation and instructional supplies. Another 25% pays all the non-academic, operational expenses of the school including operations and IT compensation, safety, and security, rent, maintenance, and cleaning. This doesn’t leave much room for “extras,” such as the initiatives supported by the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is the bridge between our aspirations for our students and the limits of our Operating budget.
Yes. All new students make a one-time payment into the BFIS Capital Fund budget, which funds all the non-operational expenditures.
Your gift allows us to enrich our students’ lives and classroom experience beyond what is possible within the limits of our school’s Operating budget.
Yes. Your children will benefit by preserving BFIS ‘s excellent reputation as they will always be lifetime alumni of BFIS.
Yes! Every gift counts, no matter the amount. Your gift will combine with others in the community to make a real difference in the lives of our students.
No. Although the focus for the next three year’s fund will be campus improvement projects, money raised through the BFIS Fund will also spent on PEOPLE (Teachers’ Professional Development) and PROGRAMS. It’s pretty cool to see everything we have accomplished together over the last few years–check out the list below!
Annual Fund Initiatives, 2009-2021
- Maker Space
- Flexible Seating
- Robotics Program
- Chromebooks for MSHS
- Interactive Boards
- Professional Development 21st Century Learning
- New Rooftop Patio
- New ES Building
- ES Classroom library books
- PE equipment
- Professional Development/Mathematics with Emma Anderson and Monica Neagoy
- Document cameras
- Digital portfolios
- Science Labs
- New auditorium
- ES Classroom library books
- Performing and Visual Arts
- Class instruments, including keyboard, guitar and more
- Band instruments
- New MS/HS Science labs and Auditorium
- Professional Development/Enrichment: ES Writing Workshop training
- Professional Development/Differentiation, The Shelton School
- Professional Development (please refer to Annual Review 2014-2015)
- Performing and Visual Arts: Class instruments, including keyboard, guitar and more band instruments
- Sound system and recording equipment
- Visiting Artists and Scholars Program
- Wireless Internet for campus
- ES Mac laptops
- Software upgrades
- Library Resources
- Health emergency Fund
Almost 50% of the donors to our 2012-2013 Annual Fund campaign were Spanish families.
No, if you don't want to.
Yes. Benjamin Franklin International School is a qualified non-profit organization, and donations made to the school are generally tax-deductible as allowed by law. We recommend consulting with your tax professional for any specific questions you may have.
For Spanish Taxpayers: The Benjamin Franklin Foundation is registered (n° 242) with the Generalitat of Catalunya and as such enjoys the tax benefits stipulated by Ley 49/2002. We will be happy to provide you with an acknowledgement suitable for tax deductions in Spain upon request.
For other Taxpayers: We will gladly provide suitable recognition of your donation upon request.
A matching gift is a charitable donation by a corporation that matches an employee’s donation to an eligible nonprofit organization, most often euro for euro. Thousands of companies across both hemispheres offer matching gift programs to their employees as part of a corporate giving philanthropy.
The main concept of matching gift programs is quite simple. A 100 € donation to BFIS is eligible to be matched by a corporate employer, literally doubling the donation for a total of 200 €. All you have to do is fill out the matching gift forms (which can usually be obtained from the Human Resources department at your company), and then submit them to our Business Office. We will validate your donation and send it to your company. The company will give to BFIS the same gift value.
