The Ellis School

Ways to Give

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • ONLINE

    You can make your gift online (anchor link to donation embed) with a credit card. We accept Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover.

  • CHECK

    Checks or money orders made payable to The Ellis School can be mailed to:

    The Ellis School
    ? The Advancement Office
    6425 Fifth Avenue
    Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • BY PHONE

    Call us with your credit card information at (412) 661-5992 ext. 158.

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • MONTHLY GIVING

    Support Ellis with automatically withdrawn monthly donations. Set up a monthly or bimonthly donation online HERE or contact the Advancement Office at (412) 661-5992 ext. 158 with your credit card information.

  • CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS

    Thousands of companies match donations made by their employees to organizations like Ellis. Click HERE to see if your company will match your charitable gift and access the necessary forms and instructions.

  • GIFTS IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY

    Make a gift in honor of a loved one, a graduating senior, a grandchild, or a favorite teacher or coach. You can also remember a loved one with a memorial gift. Let us know the name of the person you wish to honor or remember when you make your gift online, or contact the Advancement Office at development@theellisschool.org. We will send you a receipt for the gift and notify the honoree or the family of your loved one of your kindness.

Other Ways to Give

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • MAJOR GIFTS

    Major gifts are those valued at $25,000 and above. We are deeply grateful to those who make transformative gifts of this nature to support our strategic priorities. These generous contributions, often pledged over multiple years, help advance Ellis’ mission and provide a lasting legacy for the donor. To make a Major Gift, please contact Claire Devereux, Director of Advancement and Alumane Engagement, at devereuxc@theellisschool.org or (412) 661-5992 ext. 131.

  • QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCD)

    A QCD is a tax-efficient way for individuals aged 70 1/2 or older to make gifts directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA). QCDs can count towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year.

    For more information about gifts of non-cash assets, please click here.

  • LEADERSHIP GIFTS

    Gifts over $1,000 are classified as leadership gifts. Donors at this level are the cornerstone of our fundraising programs, making up a large portion of our annual fundraising goal and demonstrating strong confidence in our mission. To make a Leadership Gift, please contact Annie Lawson, Assistant Director of the Annual Fund, at lawsona@theellisschool.org or (412) 661-5992 ext. 120. 

  • REUNION GIVING

    Join Your Class for the 2024 Alumnae Cup Giving Challenge!

    Celebrate your milestone reunion by participating in the Alumnae Cup Giving Challenge, an exciting opportunity for you and your classmates to support Ellis and our extraordinary students.

    Make a Reunion Gift Now

    When you make a gift to The Ellis Fund during your reunion year, you help increase funding for Ellis’ highest priorities, including investments in faculty, financial aid, and innovative programs that enhance the Ellis experience—opportunities made possible by your generosity.


    Join your classmates in honoring your reunion year and make a gift today to create a lasting impact for current and future Ellis students. No matter the size, every gift makes a difference and contributes to The Ellis Fund. Participating is a meaningful way to show your pride as an Ellis alumna!

    Your collective contributions will empower Ellis to continue providing transformative educational experiences that prepare our students to lead with confidence and purpose.

    Gifts made between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, will count toward your class participation totals.

    For more information about Reunion Giving, please contact Elisa Lucke, Alumnae Coordinator, at luckeelisa@theellisschool.org.

  • ENDOWED GIVING

    Endowed funds ensure Ellis's long-term financial health, providing a permanent, self-sustaining funding source. An endowment builds capital, with the school spending a percentage of that income earned each year. Donors can enhance an existing fund or create a new one, with a minimum of $150,000 needed to establish a new fund. These funds support endowed faculty chairs, scholarships, and ongoing facilities maintenance, helping to keep tuition as affordable as possible for current and future families by providing non-tuition operation dollars.

  • DONOR ADVISED FUNDS (DAF)

    Giving through a DAF allows you to make charitable contributions and receive an immediate tax deduction. A DAF custodian manages the funds, and you can recommend grants to The Ellis School.

  • GIFTS OF NON-CASH ASSETS

    Donations of non-cash assets are an impactful way to support Ellis while potentially enjoying significant tax benefits. Each option listed below offers unique advantages for both the donor and the School. Learn how you can partner with Ellis and FreeWill to have your future gift make a difference for generations of students to come.

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • PLANNED GIVING

    Planned giving can be as simple as including a provision in your will or naming The Ellis School as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy. These gifts are often made through your will or trust and cost nothing today. They allow you to leave a lasting legacy while still retaining control of your assets during your lifetime. The Ellisian Society recognizes those whose thoughtful planning will benefit future generations of students, faculty, facilities, and programs.

  • PA TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS

    Businesses and individuals can directly impact a child's education. Ellis partners with the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) to provide financial aid scholarships for qualifying students. Our goal is to provide equal access to academic excellence for children in our region. Every year, academically talented students applying for financial aid increases and exceeds available funds. 

    For more information about PA Tax Credit Programs, please click here.

  • STOCKS, SECURITIES, AND MUTUAL FUNDS

    Donating appreciated stocks, securities, or mutual funds helps you avoid paying capital gains taxes. It allows you to receive an income tax deduction for the gift's full value if you’ve held the assets for more than one year.

  • GIFTS-IN-KIND

    Gifts-in-kind are accepted when pre-approved through the Advancement Office. For more information, please email development@theellisschool.org. 

  • GIFTS IN A WILL OR TRUST

    Donations made through your will or trust are the most common type of planned gift. These gifts are simple to arrange and can be changed at any time.

    For more information about gifts in a Will or Trust, please click here.

  • BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

    Gifting assets not covered by your will — like 401(k) or IRA accounts— may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes, even if you’re below the estate tax threshold.

    For more information about Beneficiary Designations, please click here.

  • CRYPTOCURRENCY

    Donating cryptocurrency directly is a fast and secure way to make a tax-smart charitable contribution.

Ellis Fund Giving Societies

List of 6 items.

  • 1916 FOUNDER’S SOCIETY ($25,000-$99,999)

    As a 1916 Founder’s Society member, you play a pivotal role in sustaining Ellis’s legacy by supporting programs that foster academic excellence and innovation. Members are recognized publicly and permanently with signage on campus and acknowledged through other benefits. 1916 Founder’s Society membership requires a minimum gift of $25,000, payable over four years (minimum $6,250).

  • ARBUTHNOT SOCIETY ($5,000-$9,999)

    The Arbuthnot Society invites you to make a meaningful contribution that directly enriches the educational experience of our students, supporting key programs and initiatives. Members receive recognition for their support, access to exclusive updates on the school’s progress, and two tickets to attend our spring gala.

  • FIFTH AVENUE SOCIETY ($2,500-$4,999)

    Become a member of the Fifth Avenue Society to support essential programs that empower students to grow and thrive in our vibrant community. Members are recognized for their generosity and receive an invitation to our annual Leadership Donor Reception.

  • HEAD OF SCHOOL SOCIETY ($10,000-$24,999)

    Join the Head of School Society to significantly impact our students’ experiences by providing vital resources that support our mission and enhance learning. You will be recognized for your generosity and receive exclusive invitations to special events where you can engage with school leaders and fellow supporters.

  • KENTUCKY AVENUE SOCIETY ($1,000-$2,499)

    Join the Kentucky Avenue Society and play a crucial role in providing resources that benefit our students and help shape their future success. Members enjoy recognition for their generosity and an invitation to our annual Leadership Donor Reception.

  • SARA FRAZER ELLIS ($100,000)

    Named after our founding Head of School, gifts at this level transform Ellis through substantial support that drives groundbreaking initiatives and ensures our school thrives. Members are recognized publicly and permanently with signage on campus and acknowledged through other benefits. Sara Frazer Ellis Society membership requires a $100,000 gift, payable over four years (a minimum of $25,000 annually).

Our 2024-2025 Giving Goal

  1. 100
  2. 90
  3. 80
  4. 70
  5. 60
  6. 50
  7. 40
  8. 30
  9. 20
  10. 10
  11. 0
Goal $775,000.00
Current $461,621.00
Remaining $313,379.00
 

Learn More

6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992   |   admissions@theellisschool.org
6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992
admissions@theellisschool.org