I think it can safely be said that fiscal year 2010-2011 marked the beginning of a much-welcomed turnaround. As we all know, the few years previous had been quite challenging for so many people in so many ways. The limitations imposed upon our friends and constituents during this difficult time were reflected in the numbers generated by the Foundation.

I am happy to report to you here that 2010-2011 was much, much brighter. Overall donations to the School began a modest climb, corporate and foundation giving began to show signs of life, and our endowments began to recover some of the losses incurred during the severest portion of the economic slump. Despite the fact that the economy had yet – and still struggles – to return to pre-recession numbers, the Foundation was even able to add new (dollars to its) endowments (.) to its portfolio.

Perhaps most exciting in 2010-2011 was the offer by an anonymous alumna to donate up to one million dollars to the Foundation if the Foundation achieved a very ambitious alumni fundraising goal. Offers like this, especially at the secondary public school level, are rare. The entire NCSSM community realized the significance of this opportunity and responded with incredible enthusiasm. The result, though short of the ultimate goal, was a nearly three-fold increase from recent years in the percentage of alumni giving and, once paired with the appropriate match, marked the highest amount ever donated to the Foundation by alumni in a single year.

Finally, I’d like to take a moment to explain what is ultimately a matter of semantics. Throughout this report, and even here in my welcome letter, you have heard or will hear me refer to the success of  “the Foundation.” What I really mean to say is that you, the donor, achieved all these things. Though staffed by dedicated employees and managed by a committed Board of Directors, the Foundation is, in the end, simply the organizing mechanism by which you make this School great. So, when you see me touting the success of the Foundation, please know that it is your flag that I am waving.

On behalf of the NCSSM Foundation, the faculty and staff of the School, and most especially the students who give this wonderful institution life, I thank you sincerely for your generosity.

Katie T. Wagstaff
Executive Director of the NCSSM Foundation