Hayground is composed of two major operations that are inter-related: Hayground School and Hayground Camp. When the school was founded in 1996, a decision was made that no family would be denied a Hayground education for financial reasons. Diversity was -- and remains -- an essential component of a Hayground education. A diverse community at school that reflects the various demographics, backgrounds and perspectives of the East End is critical to fostering empathetic and curious children who leave our school with an awareness of the world around them and a respect for all those who live in it. So our founders thoughtfully and intentionally conceived of a small independent school with a public mission that serves between 70 and 90 students every year, aged 3-14. While there are parents who pay full tuition, we generally have as many as 50-80% of school families who require some amount of financial assistance. This is relatively unique among most private schools and creates a deficit of $1.1 million or more each year. A significant portion of this deficit is made up by the net surplus of our summer camp operations: Hayground Camp serves between 550 and 650 young people each summer, employs approximately 200 staff and has an annual profit of $700,000-$1,000,000. But that still leaves a $200,000 - $400,000 deficit to be raised by donations and fundraising events.

For 2023-24, our fundraising goal is $250,000.

Individual donations, foundation gifts, grants, and special events like Chefs Dinner. Aside from the camp and annual fundraising events, Hayground raises money from several hundred donors each year who give between $25 and $25,000 each in a typical year. Occasionally but rarely, a few donors contribute more. Most donors make cash donations; however, Hayground often receives gifts of appreciated stock and other equities.

Most donations are unrestricted, meaning that they can be used to help Hayground pay its operational bills. The largest items in the budget are School and Camp staff salaries, but other “Big Ticket” items include employee benefits like health insurance, supplies, repairs and maintenance, and utilities.

Individuals wishing to support a specific program at school or camp should inquire about Hayground’s needs this year.

The Annual Appeal mailing usually kicks off our annual fundraising campaign. Starting in November, the campaign continues until the end of our Fiscal Year on June 30. Many of Hayground’s donors like to respond to our Annual Appeal mailing as a way of giving to the school and camp each year, often as part of their year-end giving.

It is very helpful for any not-for-profit to be able to say that 100% of its core stakeholders give each year because it increases the organization’s access to grant money. By full participation, we mean all the Hayground Board, Faculty, and Parents. We are honored that for many years each of these groups have achieved 100% participation. We point to this with pride and appreciation when seeking fundraising support from major donors and foundations.

Hayground put its capital campaign for the IASC building on hold in early 2020 due to the global Covid pandemic. At some point in the future, we will be ready to explore re-opening that campaign which will require raising between $2.5 and $3 million dollars for this exciting addition to our campus. As part of this major Capital Campaign, we will accept restricted IASC donations and will develop a list of specific IASC needs for donors to help fund.

The Board of Trustees also is considering one or more smaller capital projects to provide additional classroom and office space and will announce these plans when they are more fully developed later this year.

No one owns Hayground. In 1996, a group of parents, educators and community members began meeting to discuss the possibilities of forming an independent school on the East End with the goal of educating children from all walks of life and all socio-economic backgrounds regardless of their financial situation. Those founders donated money and time to form the school as a charitable 501(c)3 corporation. Like all not-for-profits, it has a Board of Directors who have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that the activities of Hayground fall within its mission as a charity. Please see below for more information about Hayground’s Board of Directors.

The Board currently has 20 members, including members of the school faculty, camp staff, parents, founders, and members of the greater East End community.

The Hayground Board meets three (occasionally more) times a year. At each Board meeting, the heads of each of the Board’s operating committees present reports that are discussed and, where necessary, voted on for approval.

The Committee on Trustees (COT) recommends additions to the Board. Anyone is welcome to indicate their interest in becoming a Board member by writing to the Chair of the COT.

We are honored to receive donations of any size from our stakeholder groups. No gift is too small to be greatly appreciated.

For more Hayground School Information:
Marcelle Langendal – mlangendal@hayground.org

For more Hayground Camp Information:
Daniella Charlton: haygroundcamp@gmail.com

For more financial information about Hayground School & Camp:
Tony Hitchcock – Treasurer: tony.hitchcock@yahoo.com