Montessori

Matters:

Support the programs that define GRS

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! 

This school year, our fundraising goal of $250,000 will help close the gap between our state funding and the cost of supporting the unique learning opportunities that define the Great River experience. As a charter school, Great River receives less than 87% percent of the funding allocated to traditional district schools, and the amount is designed to decrease over time. Financial support from families, grants, and corporations has always been critical to fully fund our school, and our strength in fundraising will need to grow alongside our charter. 


Our goal this year is big. But we are a powerful community of over 700 students and their families, and reaching our goal is achievable. There are several ways you can support:

  • $480/year per student achieves our goal! We are proud to partner with Giving Hive (go.givinghive.com). Use it donate to our Fall Campaign or any of our initiatives.

  • The average cost of our Key Experience programming is $387/student! Visit our Key Experience campaign page to support our unique curriculum.

  • $40 per month ($480 per year) per student achieves our goal! Use the GRS Foundation Paypal and donate to anyone of our initiatives in any monthly amount.

  • Make a one-time donation to Great River School in the form of Credit Card, Check or via Paypal.

  • Maximize the impact of your gift by checking if your employer matches charitable gifts. Many companies have matching gift programs that will double, or even triple, charitable contributions made by employees. Some companies also provide donations based on your volunteer hours! Don’t know if your employer matches gifts? Contact us at foundation@greatriverschool.org.

  • GRS accepts gifts made through donor advised funds (DAFs). DAFs allow donors to make a charitable contribution, receive a tax deduction at the time the gift is made, and then recommend gifts from that fund over time. If your DAF is set up through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or BNY Mellon, you can easily use DAF Direct to make your contribution.

    Checks payable to:

    The Great River School Foundation

    1326 Energy Park Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55108

    EIN 26-4259181

    For more information about any of these options, please contact us at 651-305-2780 ext. 31 or foundation@greatriverschool.org.scription

  • If you are 70½ years or older, you can make a tax-free gift to GRS directly from your IRA. You may contribute up to $100,000 without incurring income tax on your withdrawal to the GRS Foundation, each year.

    Great River School accepts gifts of stocks and securities that have appreciated in value. This type of gift is a simple way for donors to enjoy significant tax benefits while supporting our mission. Note: When your stock transfer is received by GRS, we cannot access any information that identifies you as a donor. Therefore, we ask that you alert us in advance.

    Checks payable to:

    The Great River School Foundation

    1326 Energy Park Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55108

    EIN 26-4259181.

    For more information about any of these options, please contact us at 651-305-2780 ext. 31 or foundation@greatriverschool.org.

  • Leave a legacy gift in your will to help Great River School through Bequests, Life Insurance and Retirement Plans: You can designate Great River School as a full or partial beneficiary of your policies and accounts.

  • Your time and talent are valuable resources for GRS! Visit our Parent Engagement Group page to learn more, or email PEG@greatriverschool.org for more information.

  • Please call us at 651-305-2780 ext. 31 and we will be happy to help you make your gift over the phone.

To meet our goal, the Foundation, The Parent Engagement Group (PEG) and GRS Staff will be working hard to promote key initiatives like the  Fall Fund Drive and Blue Heron Bash. We ask you to plan in advance to support these efforts in whatever ways work for your family. Success will require community buy-in through time given and tangible funds.  

Your gift is an investment in an approach to learning and growth that makes our school so unique: Key Experiences, the arts, care of animals, Montessori classroom materials, and high school internships… Plus, there are everyday needs to run a successful school: buses, utilities, and paying our faculty and staff a fair wage. There is no place quite like GRS.