Endowment

Endowments are the financial foundation of an independent school like Miami Country Day. Rather than being used for immediate needs, endowed funds are invested under guidance from the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees. Endowment is comprised of funds in which the principal is invested and all or part of the earnings are used to financially support faculty, programs, scholarship and facilities.

Strong endowments enable schools to endure fluctuations in enrollment and market demand by diminishing dependence on tuition revenue. While Country Day’s annual operating expenses are primarily met through tuition and philanthropic gifts, endowment provides long-term financial security and contributions to the school’s endowment enable mission-driven decisions that continue Miami Country Day’s legacy of academic excellence. Today, the school has $10.5 million in endowment.

The average endowment for day schools as recommended by the National Association of Independent Schools (“NAIS”) is $25,000 per student. As such, the school is committed to growing the endowment with bequests, endowed chairs and other forms of planned gifts. This is the most important way Country Day will financially sustain itself in the future.