The Annual Fund

Your gift to The Annual Fund is an investment in the transformative experience of a Burke education.

Each year, Burke relies on the collaborative giving of parents, alumni, and friends to support The Annual Fund, a source of revenue for the School that has an immediate impact on the Burke experience. Gifts to The Annual Fund fuel exceptional learning opportunities across academics, athletics, and the arts that provide our students with the skills and abilities they will need to make a difference in the world.


Burke's fiscal year ends on June 30, but we encourage families to make Annual Fund gifts by the end of the calendar year: December 31.
 

What Inspires You?

We are excited to introduce Designated Giving as a new part of our tradition of annual giving to Burke. Our designated funds represent the most fundamental and mission-driven aspects of Burke’s program. When you make a gift to the Annual Fund, you celebrate the part of the Burke experience that inspires you most.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 5 items.

  • How much should I give?

    As a socio-economically diverse school, Burke sees a wide variety in Annual Fund giving levels, ranging from gifts of $100 to more than $25,000. Every gift is essential to our ability to deliver an excellent Burke education.
  • How can I help?

    The success of both the Annual fund and the Auction depends on a dedicate core of volunteers! Whether you'd like to be involved year-round or just help on a specific event or project, we have a job for you. Please reach out to our Development Office.
  • What is Designated Giving?

    Burke’s Designed Giving was created to allow you to support the school's yearly needs while also pursuing your personal philanthropic passion. You can choose to designate your gift to an area of our program that is meaningful for you from the following options:

    • Burke's Area of Greatest Need 
    • Financial Assistance and Access
    • Visual & Performing Arts
    • Athletics
    • Equity, Inclusion, & Civic Engagement
    • Faculty & Staff Salaries & Development
    • Health, Wellness, & Student Support
    • Experiential Learning & Community Building
     
    *All gifts to the Annual Fund are budget-relieving and help fund the most critical needs within each designated area. Should funds raised exceed our operational needs in a given category, we will redeploy those funds to the area of greatest need. All undesignated gifts will be applied to areas of greatest need.
     
  • What are Burke's Giving Circles?

    Giving Circles recognize those who have made a charitable contribution to the Annual Fund.

    Champions of Liberty ($25,000 and above)
    Orators ($12,500 - $24,999)
    Philosophers ($7,000 - $12,499)
    Foundation Builders ($3,500 - $6,999)
    Arbiter ($2,000 - $3,499)
    Advocates ($1,000 - $1,999)
    Historians ($500 - $999)
    Debaters ($200 - $499)
    Friends (up to $199)

    Young Alumni Giving Circles
    (Alumni within 5 years of graduation from Burke)

    4101 Club: $41.01 or more
    2955 Club: $29.55


    *Donors who wish to remain anonymous in publications should contact the Development Office.
  • What about the Auction for Financial Aid?

    The Annual Fund supports the general operations of the school, and our greatest investment is the salary and benefits of our excellent faculty and staff; the Auction supports our financial aid program, extending our ability to serve a wide range of students and families.

    The Auction takes place each spring, so keep an eye out for more details!
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.