Gifts and fundraising have paid for new yards for our infants, toddlers, and Primary children. They also bridge the gap tuition leaves, about $2,500 per student each year.
Ways to give
All gifts to South Coast Montessori are 100% tax deductible. Our 501(c)(3) Tax ID is 81-4994237, for your records and for employer matching-gift forms.
Give online
To ensure that 100% of your gift goes directly to support South Coast Montessori, please consider rounding up your donation by 3% to offset credit card processing fees.
Give by check
To ensure that 100% of your gift goes directly to support South Coast Montessori, please consider sending a check to:
South Coast Montessori 7421 Mirano Drive, Goleta, California 93117
Be sure to check if your employer has a matching gift program.
Why a school with tuition still raises money
You already pay tuition, so it is fair to ask where a gift goes. Like most independent schools, South Coast Montessori finds that tuition and fees do not cover the full cost of a child's education here.
Most of the budget is people
Wages, salaries, benefits, and professional development for our staff and teachers make up 85% of our operating expenses. We believe that hiring, training, and keeping excellent teachers is the heart of what we do.
About $2,500 per student, each year
Fundraising closes that gap, which comes to about $2,500 per student each year. It also pays for capital and site improvements, such as buildings, gardens, furnishings, Montessori materials, and playground renovations.
One example: the Primary yard
The 2024 Giving Campaign paid for the $40,000 renovation of the Primary outdoor space in early 2025. More projects that gifts helped pay for are listed below.
What your gifts have built since 2022
Each project below was funded at least in part by gifts and fundraising. They run newest first, back to 2022.
BeforeSome of the funds from our 2025 Giving Campaign helped transform a section of the Primary playground that lacked clear boundaries and intentional design, limiting both safety and the full use of the environment for play and learning.AfterFollowing our successful Giving Campaign in 2025, we installed a hedge to define and beautify the space while improving child safety and added sod and irrigation to expand outdoor play areas.
In early 2025 we were able to renovate our Primary outdoor space. This $40,000 project was funded with proceeds from the 2024 Giving Campaign.
BeforeExisting play structures and garden areas did not adequately serve older students or support expanded outdoor classroom experiences.AfterIn addition to the landscaping improvements, we were also able to add a new set of larger horizontal bars to provide engaging gross motor challenges for older and taller students.
A new gathering spot for the Primary was built, along with new play structures and natural elements.
Thanks to a generous donation from the California Dermatology Group, we were able to install a new large shade sail for our toddler yard in the fall of 2024.
The incredibly successful fundraising from our 2022/2023 Giving Campaign and Move-A-Thon helped completely renovate our toddler yard.
New landscaping, lawn, play and toileting stations were created.
Before and after renovations.
In 2022, we remodeled the infant yard with a new fence, lawn and landscaping. Move-A-Thon funds were used for this project.
In 2022 we opened our new Elementary Classroom, outfitted using grant and fundraising funds!
Our annual giving campaign
For our annual giving campaign, we are asking that each of us call upon family, friends, colleagues, community and business partners to ask for their support. All donations are tax deductible and are critical to ensure the financial stability of the school. Our fundraising goal for the giving campaign is $50,000 and our goal for the full year is $100,000.
The thermometer tracks our full-year goal of $100,000.
Annual Report
At South Coast Montessori, we pride ourselves on a strong sense of purpose and community.
Our annual report details those who have supported the school in the past year. We thank everyone for their support and commitment to offering an authentic Montessori Education for children in the community!
Yes. All gifts to South Coast Montessori are 100% tax deductible. The school is a 501(c)(3), Tax ID 81-4994237.
Why does the school fundraise if families pay tuition?
Tuition and fees do not cover the total cost of a South Coast Montessori education. Fundraising bridges the gap, approximately $2,500 per student each year. Staff and teacher wages, salaries, benefits, and professional development make up 85% of the school's operating expenses.
What has fundraising paid for?
The 2024 Giving Campaign paid for the $40,000 renovation of the Primary outdoor space in early 2025. Funds from the 2025 Giving Campaign helped transform a section of the Primary playground. It now has a hedge, new sod and irrigation, and a new set of larger horizontal bars. The 2022/2023 Giving Campaign and the Move-A-Thon helped renovate the toddler yard. The infant yard was remodeled in 2022 using Move-A-Thon funds. The new Elementary classroom, opened in 2022, was outfitted using grant and fundraising funds.
Can I give by check or with stock?
Yes. Send a check to South Coast Montessori, 7421 Mirano Drive, Goleta, California 93117. To give stocks or other capital assets, use the Securities Gifting Transfer Form. A gift of securities may bring you tax savings.
How can I make sure all of my gift reaches the school?
If you give online, round up your donation by 3% to offset credit card processing fees. A check is the school's other suggestion for making sure 100% of your gift goes directly to it. And check whether your employer has a matching gift program.
