Giving BFIS

Supporting our school

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At BFIS, your gift plays a crucial role in lifting learning.

 

We are currently seeking support for our capital campaign, an opportunity to leave your mark on our new campus and build a legacy for future generations.

 

Alternatively, the annual fund continues to enrich and accelerate our learning experiences year-on-year. 

 

You can donate to either: once, monthly or annually.

Logo Color The Future is Now

BFIS Truly Values Your Support

The Center for Creativity and Innovation - The BFIS Capital Campaign

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 Capital Campaign 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.

new building
new building
gymnasium
new building
The BFIS Annual Fund

Annual Fund Accelerator Projects

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For the next three years alongside the building project, the Annual Fund will be crucial to implementing 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. For that, your support is truly appreciated.

robotics program middle school
Creativity and Innovation: Robotics and Engineering

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
High School Musical Theater
Creativity and Innovation: Performing Arts

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
outdoor learning elementary school
Experiential Learning: Outdoor Spaces

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

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.

Middle-School-Robotics

FAQs

If you have a question that is not answered here below, please contact our Business Office or our Advancement Director.

Doesn’t the school already have enough money through tuition and other fees to buy these things?

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 highly desirable “extras,” such as our Capital Campaign or 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.

Why should I give when I’m paying tuition already?

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. For the first time in the school's history we are within reach of a truly future-ready campus which will lift learning for decades to come.

Will my children benefit if I’m not here next year?

Your children will benefit by preserving BFIS's excellent reputation as they will always be lifetime alumni of BFIS. The new campus spaces will be open to them to attend events, reunions and shows for life!

Will my money really make a difference; I can’t give that much?

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. Participation rates are key in encouraging us all to give back and in some cases pave the way for us to access additional external funds. Your contribution matters deeply and always will.

Does the money from the BFIS Fund ALWAYS get spent on buildings and infrastructure?

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, 2009-2022

  • Maker Space
  • Flexible Seating
  • Robotics Program
  • Chromebooks for MSHS
  • Interactive Boards
  • Professional Development 21st Century Learning
  • New Rooftop Patio
  • Rooftop Garden & Green Spaces
  • 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
  • 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
How can we have a successful Annual Fund when giving is just not part of the Spanish culture?

We have a very multicultural makeup and many BFIS families understand that philanthropy is not limited to the US culture. Almost 50% of the donors to our 2012-2013 Annual Fund campaign were Spanish families; we are working towards that again, currently standing at around 30% from Spanish donors, the rest being a true mix of cultures and passports. This is the innate beauty of BFIS.

Will everyone know how much I gave?

If you wish for your donation to be anonymous we will ensure it is kept that way. 

Is my gift tax deductible?

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.

What is a matching gift?

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.