Use of Donated Funds
Unlike many private schools, Oakwood does not ask donors to pay for the base operation of the school. Donated funds are used exclusively to enhance and grow the school and its programs through the five funds of the Oakwood Capital Campaign. As a non-profit corporation, there are no profits or dividends for shareholders or owners. Years when school revenue exceeds expenses, these funds are reinvested in the school.
Most donations come to the school designated as "Oakwood's greatest needs" which means they are unrestricted donations. However, the school still directs these donations to one or more of the Oakwood Capital Campaign's five funds. On rare occasions, the school accepts donations for other purposes and always expends funds consistent with the donor's designation.
Donations made to the Annual Gifts Program may be designated by the donor to go to any one of the Oakwood Capital Campaign's five funds. Most donations are given "unrestricted" for the school's greatest needs, meaning the donation will go toward one or more of the five funds, depending on need. Proceeds from school fundraising events go to one or more of the five funds.
Oakwood provides all Oakwood families an annual report of fundraising results and how fundraising dollars were spent. The Oakwood Outlook also provides interim reports on fundraising efforts. ECE, Elementary, Middle School and High School all receive the benefits of Oakwood fundraising. Donations to the Scholarship Fund go to support merit-based scholarships which are only offered in Middle School and High School.
Each year the school sets priorities for the funds and publishes them in the Oakwood Outlook. These annual priorities are based on the school's particular needs each year. Parents, teachers and students all provide input to help set these priorities.