LFC Fund

As a fully independent U.S. school, the LFC relies almost exclusively on tuition and donations from our generous donors. 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, even if they also participate in one of our wonderful events. In fact, most LFC events are not fundraisers, including the Lycée French Market and “Oui” Run 5K & Kids Races. LFC's big fundraising event of the year is La Soirée. 

We encourage every family to participate at an amount that is meaningful for them. As a fully independent U.S. school, the LFC relies solely on tuition and donations from our generous donors. 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:

Absolutely.  In the optional comment box in the online giving 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.

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