The Near North Fund

The first question that most outside constituencies ask before making a gift is, "What do your Board, staff, and parents contribute?" It is so important that we show support from within before we go to outside sources for contributions. Participation in the Near North Fund demonstrates to others that we, as the closest ones to the school, philanthropically support our mission. What better way to motivate other groups to give?

Yes! All gifts to Near North Montessori School are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Upon receipt of your gift, the NNM Development Office will generate an acknowledgement letter which you may use as documentation when filing your taxes.

Every student at Near North benefits from the Near North Fund. The Near North Fund provides the very things that most likely determined your choice to send your child to NNM: a focus on the whole child, outstanding Montessori teachers, conscientiously prepared environments, self-guided work, authentic materials, mixed-aged classrooms, and so much more. Paying tuition gives your child access to all of this. Charitable gifts are necessary to help sustain and expand it. Giving to the Near North Fund also helps keep tuition as low as possible for all families.

You can direct your gift to the following categories:

• Area of Greatest Need
• Accessibility and Affordability
• Educational Programming
• Faculty and Staff Development

(The school reserves the right to redirect gifts as needed if a fund has become oversubscribed.)

A gift of any amount is appreciated and counts towards the important participation measurements. Each Board member, faculty and staff member, and family is asked to consider giving a meaningful gift at whatever level that may be for you that reflects your commitment to the school and your ability to give.

You can direct your gift to the following categories that best fits your family’s interest:

Area of Greatest Need
With an unrestricted gift, you are allowing the school to use your contribution where it is most vitally needed. Gifts allow the School to be nimble and responsive and explore new initiatives.

Accessibility and Affordability:
Increase the accessibility and affordability of a Near North education fulfilling the school’s commitment to creating an economically diverse community. For 2021-22, NNM granted aid to 93 children from 66 families— Just over 16% of the total student population.

Educational Programming:
Provide students with world-class Montessori programming; orderly, beautifully prepared environments and support of experiential learning activities.

Faculty and Staff Development:
Recruit and retain top Montessori trained faculty and provide ongoing professional development and training, enriching their knowledge base and improving their skills in the classroom.

Your donation can go twice, or possibly three times, as far with a matching gift. Use the form here to see if your employer has a matching gift program and find out how to receive a match for your gift.

There are many ways to make a meaningful gift in support of the Near North Fund, all of which will count towards participation measurements. Some of the ways include:

• Cash or check
• Online Donations (via credit card or direct debit)
• Recurring Donations (via credit card or direct debit)
• Donor Advised Funds
• Stocks and Securities
• Gifts-in-Kind

See the full list of options here.