Congratulations to the St. John’s Community! You did it. The Opportunity of a Lifetime Campaign hit the $100 million goal on time this June. This is a wonderful reflection on the St. John’s community. Led by campaign Co-Chairs Isabel ’83 and Ransom Lummis, this comprehensive campaign produced levels of generosity not previously seen at St. John’s and rarely seen in day schools across the United States. A strong culture of philanthropy is alive and well at St. John’s. The Annual Fund grew consistently throughout the five years of the campaign. This will ensure the highest level of program delivery and student experience possible. Multiple capital and endowment objectives were met that will have profound strategic impact for decades to come.

Scores of volunteers made the success of this campaign possible. In addition to an outstanding Campaign Steering Committee, all of the Annual Fund Volunteers over the last five years have been important in the campaign’s success. Students, faculty, parents, current and former trustees trustees, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty emerita, and staff all helped and participated in the success of this historic effort. The campaign’s success stands on the shoulders of those leaders who came before and ensured that St. John’s School would continue to strive for and attain lofty goals in the full spectrum of the mission as developed by the founding families and headmaster Alan Lake Chidsey.

To date, the success of the Opportunity of a Lifetime Campaign has already had a significant impact on St. John’s School. The completion of the construction of Flores Hall and Campus Center at the start of this school year has created a sense of excitement and has already changed daily life on campus, as we had hoped and imagined. The acquisition of 13 acres of land known as Taub Campus was truly a once-in-a-lifetime strategic opportunity that has had and will have a profound impact on the future of St. John’s School. The property is already being put to use for parking and office space. The Business and Advancement offices were moved there from the Quadrangle allowing for the construction of six new innovative classrooms in their space. Endowment funds have provided important financial aid dollars and enhanced financial footing to help secure the future of St. John’s. The final objectives of the capital portion of the campaign are focused around campus development and student safety and are outlined on the Campus Development section of the campaign website and materials.

The breakdown of objectives are as follows:

• $70 million – Capital (Flores Hall and Campus Center, Taub Land Acquisition, Classroom and Senior Country Renovations, Fine Arts Additions, Upper School Library Renovations, Field Development, Pedestrian Safety, and Parking Garage) 
• $13 million – Endowment (Financial Aid, Headmasters Students Assistance Fund, Faculty and Program Support, Unrestricted Endowment)
• $17 million – Annual Fund Support
• $100 million – Total

Commitments to date:

• $70.8 million for Capital
• $12.2 million for Endowment
• $17 million for Annual Fund
• $100 million total to-date