LFC Fund

As a fully independent U.S. school, the LFC receives no significant financial support from the US or French governments. Due to our commitments to keeping our offerings superior, our tuition accessible and our socioeconomic diversity strong, the actual cost of educating our students is always higher than tuition itself. Therefore, philanthropy is an essential component to keeping the school’s annual operating budget healthy, along with tuition and co-curricular fees. A bonus for donors: LFC Fund donations are tax-deductible, while tuition is not.

LFC Fund donations are unrestricted, tax-deductible and support general operating expenses.  It makes up part of our budget and helps support the following:

• Investment in all of our programs to provide our children an excellent, well-rounded education to ensure that our students grow into global citizens. Some examples include extended IB diploma programs in secondary and expansion of the SEL programs in primary.
• Additional teacher professional enrichment programs. These programs help enable students who learn in different way and keep up with social, emotional learning.  Recent trainings have included topics such as harassment, bullying and DEI.
• Increased financial aid creates a diverse and competitive environment for all students to learn from each other, with accessible tuition for all.  The LFC has 20% of students receiving financial aid.  
• Technology is ever-changing, and Lycée de Francais de Chicago is happy to offer up-to-date technology, in part due to our LFC Fund gifts.  Some examples are robots used in STEAM, updated touch screen televisions in classrooms, along with software and apps used for learning.  

Participation is vital at all levels of giving. Our culture of giving keeps our community strong, fosters the LFC's mission and builds a community of understanding and pride. Importantly, a high participation rate is required by grant-making organizations and for banks loans for capital projects and beyond. Our school was founded thanks to the generosity of its community, and high participation is critical to our school's continued health and future growth. 

We ask all families to make a gift to the LFC Fund to increase our participation rate, even if they also support one of our wonderful events. In fact, most LFC events are not fundraisers, including the Lycée French Market and “Oui” Run 5K & Kids Races. These wonderful community-building events do not support the LFC Fund, although any proceeds do benefit the school in other ways. 

LFC's big fundraising event of the year is La Soirée. It is a separate philanthropic effort from the LFC Fund. In fact, to keep ticket prices as accessible as possible, tickets do not cover the per-person cost, relying on sponsorship, underwriting and auction participation to raise much-needed operational funds for the school. Leading up to and at La Soirée, the community raises its paddle for "Oui" Fund the Future, a funding initiative for a specific project each year.

The suggested annual donation to the LFC Fund is $1,500 per child, but we encourage every family to participate at an amount that is meaningful for them. As a fully independent US school, the LFC receives no significant support from either the US or French governments. Due to our commitments to keeping our offerings superior, our tuition accessible and our socioeconomic diversity strong, the actual cost of educating our students is always higher than tuition itself.

It’s easy! You can make a gift by credit card or bank card. You can also pay by check made out to the Lycée Français de Chicago, mailed or dropped off at LFC, care of the Advancement Office. For additional information on ways to make a gift, please visit our Make A Gift page.

Many companies financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofits like the LFC. When you make a donation, request the matching gift from your employer, who then makes an added donation. Your gift could go twice as far, or maybe triple the distance, for the school!  Check if your company has a matching gift:

Any gift over $25,000 may be used to underwrite a specific program.  Please reach out to gratitude@lyceechicago.org.

“Oui” Fund the Future is an annual opportunity to give to a restricted parent gift. Each year's specific project is designated by the “Oui” Fund the Future Committee and approved by the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. If you are interested in being on this committee, please reach out to gratitude@lyceechicago.org.
 

Absolutely.  In the optional comment box in the credit/bank card form, please leave any details of your dedication.  If paying by check, please include all dedication information.

Recurring gifts are always appreciated. Please reach out to gratitude@lyceechicago.org to set up your donation.

Yes, planning giving is a wonderful way to have long term impact on the future of LFC and its students:

• Bequests and Beneficiary Designations under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans: Donors are encouraged to make bequests to LFC under their wills and to name LFC as the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities, and retirement plans such as 401(k)s and IRAs.
• Charitable Remainder Trusts: LFC will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts.
• Charitable Lead Trusts: LFC will accept designation as an income beneficiary of charitable lead trusts.

Volunteering is expected and encouraged for all LFC families. It is a wonderful way to show your support for the LFC and to be involved in our beloved community. The LFC is a not only a place for your children to grow and form friendships, but for you as well. By joining the LFC Fund campaign team, you can help to educate and encourage others to participate in giving. Please reach out to gratitude@lyceechicago.org for additional volunteer opportunities, including our three biggest events (La Soirée, the Lycée French Market and the "Oui" Run 5K & Kids Races.)

Please reach out to gratitude@lyceechicago.org. We are eager to hear from you!