Donor Recognition

Like so many of the class projects, team victories, or magical performances we witness on campus, the success of Poly is truly an ensemble effort. Year after year, Poly flourishes because the school is tended to and cherished by many different people—teachers, students, parents, alumni, and the greater Pasadena community. We are deeply appreciative of our donors and their support of Poly’s endeavors. Every gift makes a difference —and every gift helps the school sustain its tradition of excellence.

The annual Report of Giving, available in print and online in the fall, recognizes all gifts and contributions to Polytechnic School during the previous fiscal year (July 1-June 30). It provides an opportunity for the school to thank its donors and volunteers and to highlight the Poly community’s successes.

The Oak Tree Society, established in 2012, includes more than 500 individuals or families who have given to Polytechnic School for 20 years or more. It is a testament to the loyalty and commitment of the Poly community that so many donors have supported the school over multiple years. Poly calculates when a donor has reached this wonderful milestone and formally welcomes new members to the Oak Tree Society each year.

The Grace Henley Society recognizes those who have made a commitment to support Poly through bequests or deferred gifts. Membership is extended to individuals who have provided for Poly in their wills or living trusts, designated the school as a beneficiary of life insurance or retirement accounts, or completed deferred gifts. Please notify the school when you have made a planned gift, such as a bequest or trust. Poly is immensely grateful to all alumni and friends who have included the school in their estate plans.

Poly’s Alumni Association presents two giving awards during Poly’s reunion celebrations in May: the Founders' Award (honoring the highest reunion giving total by a class) and the Willis Stork Award (honoring the highest reunion giving participation rate amongst a class).

Stewardship of endowment gifts is important to Poly. The school actively manages more than 80 named endowed funds and other charitable funds to ensure that donor intentions are met and that the assets of these funds grow. Donors receive annual updates on their fund, including detailed information of fund appreciation and illustrations of how income from the fund was spent during the fiscal year.

Every year, many Poly supporters choose to contribute to the school anonymously, and we work hard to maintain this confidentiality and honor your privacy as a donor. If you are interested in making an anonymous gift, please contact Director of Individual Giving Cameron Pinckney at 626-396-6341 to learn about the various levels of anonymity. The Poly community is honored by the unique and thoughtful support provided by its anonymous donors.