Support MSD
We rely on the generosity of our community to deliver one of the best educational models in the country.
Supporting the Annual Fund
makes good things happen at MSD!
At Montessori School of Denver, we rely on the generosity of our community to deliver one of the best educational models in the country. A gift to the Annual Fund supports our students, faculty, and staff and helps to sustain our future. As with all independent schools, tuition does not cover the full cost of educating a student and operating our school.
The gap between what you pay for tuition and what it actually costs to run MSD is about $1,500 per student. To make up the difference, we count on all members of the MSD community – parents, Trustees, faculty, staff, grandparents, students, alums, parents of alums, and friends of MSD–to help our school be the best it can be.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- We need 100% faculty, staff, Board, and family participation. MSD applies for multiple grants every year, and parent participation in our annual fundraising event is criteria used by ALL funding organizations, as these funders look to that number to determine if parents support and believe in their child’s school.
- We need to bridge the gap of $1,500 per student. Some families can give at the gap level, some give what they can, while others are able to give more than the gap to help our school. Together, we gather up all the gifts to keep the goodness going. In short, every gift matters. And in this way, we offer all our parents an opportunity to make a tax-deductible gift while keeping tuition as low as possible. By bridging the gap, you’re helping to ensure MSD is as inclusive a student body as possible while maintaining our competitiveness, both locally and nationally.
Our goal is to raise $210,000 from the Annual Fund. Will you join us to help make our goal a reality?
DOWNLOAD THE FORM TO PLEDGE OR PAY BY CHECK
Learn more about the Annual Fund here.
If you have any questions, please contact Tara Keene, Director of Development, at tkeene@msd-co.org.
Thank you for your support!
benefits our campus in so many ways.
The Tracy Collins Schwartz Endowment (TCSE) Fund was established in memory of Tracy Collins Schwartz. Tracy was the President of the Montessori School of Denver Parent Association for the 2007-08 school year. The mother of three MSD students, Tracy worked tirelessly on behalf of the school. She loved life, embracing each day to the fullest. No task was ever too small, and her enthusiasm and love for the school were evident in everything that she did. Although Tracy’s unexpected passing left a void in our hearts, Tracy’s work and spirit live on. The purpose and use of the Endowment Fund are to remember Tracy each year by creating an extraordinary experience for the students at MSD.
Each year we commemorate the memory of Tracy Collins Schwartz, with a special event designed to deliver an extraordinary experience for our students. Extraordinary TCSE Fund experiences have included:
- 2022-23 donnie betts, Storytelling, Poetry, and Podcasting
- 2021-22 Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dance
- 2020-21 Simply Venture, Bee Brave Outdoor Experiences
- 2019-20 Frankie Toan, Textile Sculpture Artist
- 2018-19 Dr. Derrick Gay, Equity & Inclusion all-day Workshop,
Parent Coffee, and Student work - 2017-18 Avid4 Adventure, Outdoor Extensive
- 2016-17 History Hunter, The Art of Storytelling with Richie Castro
- 2015-16 Spark It Studios, Mosaic and Pottery
- 2014-15 Avid4 Adventure, Billy Corbett, and Chris Anthony, Fitness Fun Week
- 2012-13 Project V.O.I.C.E., Spoken Word Poetry
- 2011-12 Avid4 Adventure, Outdoor Extensive
- 2010-11 Katherine Dines, Children’s Songwriter & Musician
- 2009-10 Marcy Shepker, Tapestry Artist
- 2008-09 Avid4Adventure, Outdoor Extensive
Stephanie Pax Flanigan Legacy Gate &
Summer Sabbatical Program
It’s hard to find the perfect way to thank Stephanie Flanigan for her 18 years of BIG thinking and doing at MSD. It’s also tough to say farewell to a Head of School who we have come to know as a friend. While brainstorming a variety of options, we were drawn to the idea of having something permanent on campus that would remind the MSD community that she is forever woven into our history—and our hearts.
Introducing the Stephanie Pax Flanigan Legacy Gate. This Gate was thoughtfully-designed with dashes of beautiful bronze accents to include 66 icons that illustrate how Stephanie’s and MSD’s story are linked together. If you look closely, you will see that there are 18 icons in the archway, carefully selected to represent each year of her tenure at MSD.
As a way to honor Stephanie’s many years of exemplary leadership, MSD is planning to offer two $5,000 summer sabbatical grants each year. Faculty and staff will apply for funds for an activity outside of education that will recharge their batteries and promote personal growth. The positive impact the sabbaticals will have on our community will be truly inspirational.
Each icon is available for a minimum donation of $2,500. Icon sponsorships are limited to three school years per donation. A donor recognition plaque will be located at the Gate’s site and recipients of Summer Sabbatical funds will share their experiences with the MSD community in a variety of ways.
Please consider joining hands with other MSD families like yours to celebrate Stephanie’s love for MSD and have a BIG impact at MSD!
Gratitude Report
2021-2022
Why I Give
“My children benefit from the strength of the community at MSD. Every day for the last nine years, the teachers and staff at MSD have given my children the foundation and nurturing environment to support their successes as well as their stumbles. I give to MSD because I believe this community is special, and I want others to share in this experience.”–Lower and Upper El parent
“It’s a fulfilling way to give back to the community that has helped raised me to become the individual I am today.” –MSD Class of ’16 alum
“When you enter through the gates at MSD, you know immediately you have entered a very warm, special, positive place with happy children. I have watched my grandsons for the past ten years learn and grow with the guidance at MSD. The knowledge they have about everything from dinosaurs to climate change is absolutely amazing to me (things at my age, I don’t even know). Not only book learning but learning kindness, integrity, and how to be a better person in life. It’s an exciting, exhilarating place, and I give because I hope all children will have the opportunity to experience and learn from the loving teachers and staff that make learning fun at MSD!! –MSD grandparent
“Because it’s my school, and I love it so so much!” –Upper El student
“I give to MSD because I love my school, and I want it to stay awesome!” –Upper El student