FAQs

Since our founding in 1869, thousands of young people have been shaped by the generosity and commitment of our community. From the acreage and school buildings to the instruction and endowment, generations of generous visionaries have created the independent school we enjoy today. OES is an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit school and does not receive public funding. Like most independent schools, OES has two main fundraising areas: annual giving and campaigns.

• Tuition and fees cover less than 90% of our school’s budget. About $5,000 per student is needed every year to ensure our academic and extra-curricular programs remain available and exceptional. These funds are raised from our endowment, auxiliary income, and most importantly, contributions to the OES Annual Fund.
• Periodically, we embark on a comprehensive campaign to fund vital projects beyond the scope of daily operations like new buildings or endowed programs and positions. 

The OES Annual Fund is the school's most vital and fundamental fundraising effort, providing significant and immediate annual resources. Annual Fund support powers the unique-to-OES experiences that create lifelong impact: experiential learning adventures, innovative academic programs, and a beloved community that shapes tomorrow's purpose-driven leaders. When you invest in OES students, you change their world for the better.

You can make a direct contribution or pledge to the OES Annual Fund at anytime of year.

Many families also enjoy participating in our annual auction, held each March, as volunteers, sponsors, auction item donors, and attendees. The auction is one way you can support the Annual Fund. Learn more about the auction and how you can get involved.

No. Our ability to cover our annual operating expenses will always be a top priority so we hope all parents will contribute to the OES Annual Fund. To continue to be able to deliver the mind-opening education OES is known for, we seek charitable donations from parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, foundations, faculty, staff, and friends to help OES fully realize our mission and vision.

Donate or pledge today to benefit every OES student immediately and be counted as a participant with a gift by cash, check, credit card, or stock.

Check or Cash: Please make checks payable to Oregon Episcopal School and mail to: OES Development Office, 6300 SW Nicol Road, Portland, OR 97223.

Give Online: Make a gift online through our secure giving form.

• Credit Card: You can charge your gift on a VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.
• Bank Account (direct debit): Enter you bank account and routing numbers to give directly from you bank account. This option saves OES credit card processing fees.

Many donors are able to give more by incorporating philanthropy into their monthly budget by making a monthly recurring gift. OES offers this option through its online giving page.

Pledge Online: Establish a pledge online to be paid at a future date.

Gifts of Stock: Many donors choose to make their gifts in the form of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other assets that have increased in value. A gift of appreciated securities (held for more than 12 months) may allow the donor to avoid the high cost of capital gains tax, while also receiving a tax deduction for the appreciated security. Making a stock gift is simple. If you would like to find out more, please contact the Development office, or see detailed instructions for giving stocks.

Matching Gifts: Many companies will match donations from current and retired employees. We encourage you to seek out your employer's matching gift program – it could double or triple the size of your gift. Start by contacting your HR department.

Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): 93-0386915

Memorial and Tribute Gifts: A way to honor or remember an important person.

Quite possibly. A Gift-in-Kind is a voluntary contribution of goods or services that can be used to advance the mission of the school or can be readily converted to cash and may qualify as a charitable deduction for the person(s) making the gift.

• Gift-in-Kind Acceptance Policy
• Gift-in-Kind Contribution Form

Donations of every size are gratefully received. We ask all parents to make Oregon Episcopal School one of their top three philanthropic priorities and to consider becoming a member of the 1869 Society. We ask all members of our community to donate at a level that is personally significant to them.

Named in honor of the year in which the school was founded, the 1869 Society recognizes and celebrates the philanthropic leadership of donors whose Annual Fund gift totals $2,500 or more this school year.

By placing OES at the top of your philanthropic priorities, you are making a tangible investment that has an immediate impact on the life of the School and its students.

Gift Levels

*Bridges the gap between tuition and the full cost of an OES education.

OES invites you to become part of this group of leadership donors, whose annual financial support is the foundation of the OES Annual Fund, representing 80 percent of the total contributions. Opportunities to support the OES Annual Fund and become a 1869 Society member include direct contributions and all Auction fundraising.

Leadership donors are honored at the 1869 Society Celebration event every year.

Yes! A monthly gift by credit card or bank account (direct debit) can be an easy way to increase your support of OES students. Sustainable support and one less thing to remember!

You may also consider a pledge with payments made quarterly or annually to make a more significant investment in our school.

Development staff is here to help! Contact us anytime, stop by our office in Morris House or email development@oes.edu.