“Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of achievement the image of human dignity, which is derived from a sense of independence.” -Dr. Maria Montessori
A Unique Environment
When you walk into a Montessori classroom for the first time, you notice that the desks face toward the center of the classroom, toward a central activity area, and toward other students, rather than toward the teacher’s desk. This difference between traditional and Montessori educational methods is significant and symbolic. It says that the student rather than the teacher is the focus of activity in a Montessori classroom. At the Judson Montessori School (JMS) the student is the focus of and catalyst for all activity. The ultimate goal is to foster a lifetime love of learning in all students.
The Judson Montessori School was established in 1974 with just 18 students attending classes in space leased from a local church. Founders Gay and Jim Judson aspired to create an environment in which all students could realize their value as individuals and to respect and celebrate the value of their classmates. Their goal was to create an environment in which each child feels nurtured, encouraged, and successful. Today more than 300 students attend classes on a 24-acre campus on the north side of San Antonio.
The aspirations and goals for the students remain the same, however.
Supporting the Judson Montessori School
From the school’s inception, parents have been the Judson Montessori School’s greatest supporters and played a pivotal role in the success of the school. They have partnered with the administration and faculty to provide a dynamic, respectful, nurturing environment. Through the years parents made possible program enhancements, facility expansions, and ultimately the beautiful Rogers Ranch campus.
Today, JMS parents continue the long tradition of contributing to the school, and in recent years, assisting in the completion of three new classrooms.
As we continue to build on the great reputation JMS has gained over the past 34 years, we continue to rely on the generosity of those who choose the Montessori experience for their children. We hope that every gift made to our school is a gift of love, gladly offered in support and appreciation of our work with young children.
There are several opportunities to contribute to JMS:
Annual Giving
The Love of Learning Fund campaign (LoL) is the Judson Montessori School’s largest annual fundraising effort. The LOL helps bridge the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of educating JMS students. All JMS parents are asked to contribute to the Love of Learning Fund campaign.
In Kind Gifts
Parents may also provide support and assistance through in-kind gifts to the school. These gifts take many forms – books, educational materials, playground equipment, classroom supplies, computers, appliances, and many types of services such as printing, painting, gardening, etc.
Gifts in kind are greatly appreciated as they help the school meet needs that, due to limited resources, otherwise would not be satisfied. (Please contact the Development Office prior to making an in-kind gift to ensure that your contribution meets state and local standards and codes, and so that your gift can be properly acknowledged.)
Endowment Funds
An endowment fund is a sum of money that is invested to benefit the organization into the future. An endowment provides permanently invested capital for the purpose of yielding stable income. The school may use the interest earned by this investment for specific purposes, however the principal remains intact.
The Judson Montessori School has established two endowment funds for specific purposes, 1) to support student financial aid, and 2) to assist with faculty and staff development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does JMS conduct fundraising activities? Isn’t the money paid in tuition and fees enough to support the school?
A: In short, no. Tuition and fees do not cover all costs of operating JMS. Moreover, JMS does not receive state or federal funding.
Perhaps the most important reason for fundraising is the desire of parents, teachers, administration, and trustees to continue improving the school’s facilities and expanding the school’s programs to benefit our students.
Every nonprofit–whether a private school, social service agency, or health care entity–must conduct fundraising activities if the organization hopes to grow.
Funds raised through the annual Love of Learning Fund campaign provide unrestricted dollars for JMS operating needs.
Other fundraising endeavors such as grant writing and major gift solicitation are ongoing and conducted by the JMS Development Office and Board of Trustees.
Q: What is the Love of Learning Fund?
A: The Love of Learning Fund campaign (LoL) is the Judson Montessori School’s largest annual fundraising effort. Resources raised through the Love of Learning Fund supplement the school’s operating budget and help prevent steep increases in tuition.
Over the years, money raised by the LoL has been used to train faculty, buy new equipment and materials, and to enhance existing programs. Current students are now using equipment, materials, and facilities that other families have made possible through past gifts.
Q: Why should I make a charitable donation to JMS?
A: Generosity, cooperation, and sharing with others in your community are three of the basic concepts learned by students in a Montessori classroom. What better way to reinforce this lesson than by serving as a first-hand example for your child by giving to his or her school?
Other reasons to make a contribution to JMS include:
- To show appreciation for the education your children (or grandchildren) are receiving.
- Because you want to leave a legacy that will benefit all JMS students–now and in the years to come.
- To enhance and expand the school’s programs and facilities.
- Because a high percentage of parent donors is a sign to potential donors outside the school community that JMS is a strong organization with parents who are committed and actively involved, and who want their child’s school to thrive.
Q: Is there a specific amount we must donate?
A: The ability to give varies from family to family. No one is expected to give beyond their means.
Most important is that every member of our community–parents, board, faculty and staff–makes a contribution. Every donation–large or small–is important. Plus, a small amount donated on a monthly basis over several months adds up.
Q: Does JMS accept matching gifts?
A: We are delighted to receive matching gifts!
Many businesses will match all or part of their employees’ gifts to support education. Please check with your employer to see if this option is available to you. Several JMS parents do this each year and significantly increase the impact of their gift in this way.
Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
Q: Are my contributions tax deductible?
A: The Judson Montessori School is a non-profit organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) status consistent with the United States Internal Revenue Code. Under these provisions all donations to the school are tax deductible.
All donors to JMS receive immediate acknowledgement plus an annual statement of their contributions for use when preparing their tax return.
Q: Is it possible to make a pledge and pay it out over a period of several months?
A: Yes. Gifts may be made in one payment or you can make a pledge and spread the payments over the fiscal year, which ends July 31st.
Q: May we make our gift anonymously?
A: Yes. When you make your contribution, just indicate that you would prefer that it remain anonymous, and we will honor your request.
Q: May we make our gift in honor or in memory of someone?
A: Yes. JMS is happy to honor your loved ones in this way. We send acknowledgement of the gift to you and to the honoree or their family.
Q: What kind of recognition does a donor receive?
A: All gifts to the Judson Montessori School are recognized in the school’s Annual Report.
- Gifts at or over $750 are recognized with an engraved paver in a bricked area at the rear of the main building.
- Gifts at or over $2,500 are recognized with an engraved paver in the main walkway.
- Gifts at or over $5,000 are recognized on the donor quilt displayed in the main entry hall.
- Gifts at or over $10,000 are recognized with a bench located along the JMS Nature Trail or in one of the outdoor classrooms.
Giving Levels
- Montessori Circle $5,000 and above President’s Circle $2,500 to $4,999 Leaders’ Circle $500 to $2,499 Friends’ Circle $10 to $499
Q: How can we make a gift to JMS?
A: There are several ways to contribute so that the needs and wishes of individual donors can be accommodated. All gifts should be directed to the attention of the JMS Development Office.
You may:
- Planned giving, which includes:
- Charitable Lead Trust
- Charitable Remainder Trust
- Life Insurance
- Bequests
Contact the Director of Development to discuss these options.
Q: How can I donate time to JMS?
A: Opportunities abound for parents to become involved with the school, whether it is through the many projects organized by the Parent, Student, Teacher Association (PaSTA), at the classroom level, in the Library, etc. Consult the JMS Parent Handbook for more information.
For more information or to make a gift to the Judson Montessori School, please contact Suzanne Benavides, Director of Development, at 210-492-3553, extension 210, or e-mail s.benavides@jms-sat.org.
All fundraising efforts of the Judson Montessori School are founded on the principles and guidelines shown below.
The Donor Bill of Rights
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support; it is acknowledged that all donors have these rights:
- To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
- To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization, or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.
