Like all independent schools, Christ Methodist has an annual giving campaign. This annual fund helps keep tuition increases to a moderate level. Dollars raised are used each year to add value to our student’s educational experience in ways that tuition can’t cover. Each family’s participation, at their individual level of ability, is very important.
Ways to Give
Your pledge can be paid over time through June 30 of each calendar year. Print a remittance form to mail with your pledge or check to Christ Methodist Day School Annual Fund, 411 S. Grove Park, Memphis, TN 38117. To make a donation by credit card on our secure giving page, click here.
Annual Fund Giving Levels
$10,000+ Founder’s Society
$5,000 – $9,999 Ella McVean Club
$2,500- $4,999 David Fox Club
$1,000 – $2,499 Sam Drash Club
$500 – $999 Headmaster’s Club
$250 – $499 Chairman’s Club
$126 – $249 Faculty’s Club
$125 (UP TO) Friends of CMDS
CMDS Leaders Society
All donors who give $1,000 or more to CMDS in a school year will become members of the CMDS Leaders Society, a group of benefactors who receive special recognition and have the opportunity to attend special events.
Matching Gifts
Many corporations match their employees’ charitable donations. Check your employer’s website or human resources department for more information regarding their policy. It is a simple way to increase the value of your gift significantly.
Planned Giving
Tax laws intentionally encourage planned charitable giving which can many times reduce income tax, estate tax and capital gains tax.
Some options are:
A bequest in your will
Long-term appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
Life insurance policy with Christ Methodist Day School as the primary beneficiary
Real property
Personal property (artwork, jewelry, collectibles)
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust – provides the donor an annual percentage payment based on the fair market value of an asset for the donor’s lifetime, while the school receives a substantial gift.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust – similar plan, but the payments to the donor fluctuate based on the fair market value of the asset each year.
Please contact your financial adviser or other professional for advice about your personal options in setting up your planned gift.
The perfect way to honor or remember someone is to add a custom inscribed brick to our courtyard. Prices start at $200. Proceeds from the courtyard brick project go directly to the Spirit Fund. Print and complete the brick order form and mail to CMDS Spirit Fund, 411 S. Grove Park, Memphis, TN 38117.
Memorial Scholarship Funds
The following scholarship funds were established in memory of several former students and special friends. To contribute to a scholarship fund, please send your donation to Buck Towner, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, Christ Methodist Day School, 411 S. Grove Park, Memphis, TN 38117. If your gift is an honorarium or memorial, be sure to include names and addresses for those whom you wish for us to notify. Buck can be reached at btowner@cmdsmemphis.org or 901.683.2187.
For more information or a confidential conversation about financial assistance, contact Alison Hinson at 901.261.2157.
Nancy Kelley Memorial Scholarship
Established in memory of Nancy Kelley, a 1982 CMDS graduate, by her family
Howard Morrison Spirit Scholarship
Established in memory of Howard Morrison, a 1983 graduate of CMDS, by his family
Cy Robinson Memorial Scholarship
Established in memory of Cy Robinson, a 1990 graduate of CMDS, by his family
Dorris L. Smith Memorial Scholarship
Established in memory of Dorris L. Smith, a Bible teacher at CMDS for 19 years
Billy R. Pruett Memorial Scholarship
Established in memory of Billy R. Pruett, husband of retired CMDS teacher, Betty Pruett
Sponsored Scholarship Reserve Fund
The purpose of this program is to create a more diverse learning community by providing high quality, Christian academic preparation to students whose ethnic and/or socioeconomic backgrounds are different from students traditionally enrolled at CMDS. This scholarship should be a multi-year commitment, as it funds tuition for a student up through 6th grade graduation.
Partner Programs
Christ Methodist Day School has a number of corporate partners who give back a percentage of sales when our families and friends shop in their businesses and buy their products. Please review the list below to make sure that you are taking advantage of all these opportunities that mean…FREE MONEY FOR CMDS!
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Our Kroger fundraiser is an easy and fast way to help raise funds for CMDS. Once you register your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card for the new Kroger Community Rewards Program, each time your card is swiped at checkout, a portion of your purchase dollars will be donated to CMDS. Use this link to enroll your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card: www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Our organization number is 81211. If you don’t have a Kroger card, simply stop by the Kroger Customer Service Desk during your next visit to fill out an application.
LANDS’ END
Every time you shop for school uniforms online or by mail and use our special Christ Methodist Day School code, Lands’ End will make a donation to our school. Any purchase from the Lands’ End School uniform catalog applies, including adult purchases such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, fleece jackets, exercise clothing, and more. Our special Lands’ End identification code is: 900054255
AMAZON SMILE
Please make sure your purchases are going through Amazon Smile and that CMDS is your designated charity. It’s very easy: You shop. Amazon gives to CMDS. Sign in to smile.amazon.com. On your desktop, go to Your Account at the top of the page. On your mobile, you must scroll down to the bottom to designate a charity. Every time you shop, CMDS benefits!
Questions?
Feel free to call Buck Towner, CMDS Assistant Head of School for Advancement, at 901.683.2187 or email him at btowner@cmdsmemphis.org.
