MA Now Annual Fund

What do you love most about the MA community?
The intentional cultivation of meaningful connections. At each of the admission events where I've volunteered, current parents begin by sharing their students' activities and interests—not to boast about achievements, but to find genuine connections with each other and with prospective families who might have children with similar interests. This purposeful approach to community-building extends into every interaction. At the 9th-grade parent hike last fall, what started as small talk with another mom about our children's middle school experiences evolved into a deeper discussion about caring for our aging parents—and a friendship that continues today. These experiences have challenged me to take on volunteer roles that push me beyond my comfort zone, because I've learned that this community brings people together by connecting over things that matter most.

What's one thing you wish more families knew about the MA Now Annual Fund?
I wish more families understood that participation matters as much as the dollar amount donated. When I taught at an Independent school in San Francisco, our head of school asked every faculty and staff member to contribute to the Annual Fund—even if it was just one dollar for those facing financial constraints. I learned that grant-making organizations look closely at participation rates as a measure of community investment. Even when some faculty/staff members could only contribute nominal amounts, achieving 100% participation demonstrated that every person in our community believes in the school's mission, regardless of their capacity to give.

Why do you give?
We've witnessed firsthand how Marin Academy transforms students. Our son Danny arrived as a cautious middle schooler who preferred staying in his comfort zone, but this community has created an environment where he feels safe to take meaningful risks. Last year, he joined his first sports team and ran for student office. When I see him collaborating confidently on complex projects or engaging thoughtfully with challenging assignments, I'm reminded that this growth didn't happen by accident. It's the result of dedicated teachers, diverse programming, and a community that meets each student where they are while encouraging them to reach further. We contribute to the Annual Fund because we understand that tuition alone doesn't fund the full breadth of experiences that make this type of transformation possible.