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The Waldorf approach is to a remarkable degree in harmony with recent developments in the cognitive sciences related to how children learn and understand.
THE 2009-2010 ANNUAL FUND DRIVE:
Our 6-year quest to bring Waldorf education to lower Fairfield County has become a reality. The
Clover Hill School is now a fully-licensed Early Childhood program with a strong faculty
conducting an excellent program in a welcoming classroom and lovely play yard. We are
encouraged by an active Board and a growing community of families, friends and supporters.
THE DRIVE TO THE FINISH Most important, we believe the 2009-2010 school year...our first...has been an operational success. Watching the children develop while working with fully-engaged and committed parents is truly gratifying. Thereby are we fortified and motivated to undertake the critical task of fundraising. 
Our Doubled Task
And what a task it is! We entered the year with a deficit exceeding $70,000. This resulted from the unavoidable but costly and time consuming process required for approvals, permits, construction, and licensing.
The recession compounded our challenge. In effect, our need surged but the capacity of our benefactors contracted significantly. For instance, our long time foundation backer, FRIC (Foundation for the Redevelopment of Individual Character), provided $110,000 in the 2008-09 school year, but is able to provide less than 10% of that amount this year. Of course, individual giving also has been negatively affected. So our task doubled: make up for the past and fund the present, all in an adverse fundraising environment. Our Response
So we came out swinging. We launched our very first Clover Hill School Annual Fund Drive with a
goal of $100,000! This amount would enable us to operate through the 2009-10 school year as well
as get a head start on 2010-2011. We knew that this goal was quite ambitious, particularly given
the troubled economy. Nonetheless, we were confident of success because we are proud of what has
been achieved, and we are excited about what we have to offer. We expected that foundation grants and corporate donations would be important parts of the Drive, so we organized to pursue them. However, one fact became clear. High participation rates among The Clover Hill School community and friends would be essential. Encouraging Results
The Board and Faculty as well as the Parents and members of the Michaelic Anthroposophical Group
of CT got us off to an impressive start with a 100% participation rate. Thanks to their
leadership gifts, five foundation grants, two successful fundraisers and individual giving, we
have reached the 80% mark of the Drive with a month left to go! This includes anticipated
success with the June fundraiser and pledges against transition expense into the new school year
which are part of the current Drive.
The Drive to the Finish
Now the focus is on the final 20%! We can't rest yet. In fact, our cash flow needs are as great
today as they were in September. That's reality for a non-profit school playing catch up while
operating in a startup mode without reserves. The situation will improve with time, but there
will always be a need for effective fundraising. That's part of life for a private school, no
matter how established and successful. Tuition alone never is sufficient.
In fact, there is a paradox in success: it requires more money. For example, we are delighted that the Church wants to help and has provided expansion space. Now we need about $4,000 to convert the office into the classroom for the Growing Together program as well as a new Parent Lounge. It must be finished by September. Yes, the Drive has come a long way, and success is within our grasp. Accordingly, we are issuing this 2-part appeal...the final appeal for this Drive.
As a guide, you can refer to the five levels of giving:
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