The main goal of the advancement office is to help build a strong and engaged community while fundraising to meet the needs of the school. Through increased visibility, engagement, and collaboration, the team is committed to building a culture of philanthropy to support so many exciting endeavors at EMS.
Last School Year — 2023-2024 Apple Tree Fund Stats:
Apple Tree Fund Fiscal year 2024 by the numbers:
- Raised $1,112,582
- 100% trustee participation
- 100% faculty and staff participation
- 91% new family participation, up 9% from the previous year
- 80% parent participation compared to 69% previous year
Current School Year — 2024-2025 Apple Tree Fund Stats:
apple tree fund fiscal year 2025 by the numbers:
- Raised $363,524 so far
- This includes $200,000 from the Elisabeth Reeve Morrow Morgan Foundation (ERMMF).
The goal for this year is 100% current parent participation. Any gift amount can and will make a difference! Each and every student benefits from gifts made to the Apple Tree Fund.
Elisabeth Reeve Morrow Morgan Foundation
The Elisabeth Reeve Morrow Morgan Foundation has a longstanding relationship with The Elisabeth Morrow School going back to its inception in November 1935. The foundation’s only purpose since its incorporation, by way of annual gifts, has been to fund special projects as proposed by The Elisabeth Morrow School, for faculty support in addition to funding the school’s scholarship and endowment projects. This year, the foundation granted a total of $200,000 to our school.
Planned Giving Initiative
- The Office of Advancement re-launched the Planned Giving (PG) program, providing individuals a way to support EMS through estate or financial plans, securing the school’s mission and values for future generations.
- To date, nearly $1 million in planned gift commitments have been secured.
Families are invited to join The 1930 Society, honoring EMS’s founding year, by including the school in their wills, trusts, or other planned gifts.
Upcoming Events
November 2024
EMS Alumni Friendsgiving Reunion: Monday, Nov. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
DECEMBER 2024
Grandparents and Special Friends brunch and lunch receptions: Thursday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m. for breakfast (immediately following the Little School Winter Arts dress rehearsal) and 12:45 p.m. for the lunch (preceding the Morrow House Winter Arts dress rehearsal)
Young Alumni Pizza Party: Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-7 p.m.
FEBRUARY 2025
Donor Thank You Reception (for all Apple Tree Fund donors): Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-8 p.m.
APRIL 2025
Head’s Council Cocktail Reception: Thursday, April 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
MAY 2025
Spring Benefit: Thursday, May 1, 6-10 p.m.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day: Friday, May 9, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
JUNE 2025
Class of 2025 Alumni Induction Luncheon: Wednesday, June 4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Young Alumni Pizza Party: Tuesday, June 10, 6-7 p.m.
Recent Events
HEAD OF SCHOOL BREAKFAST WITH FAMILIES
We welcomed more than 30 new EMS families during a series of three breakfasts in early September.
Morrow Society Reception
Leadership giving through the Morrow Society and the Head’s Council plays an especially important role in fulfilling the vision of our school and helps ensure continued growth and excellence. The Elisabeth Morrow School deeply appreciates the support of its community of parents, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends. Morrow Society donors were celebrated for their generosity during a beautiful reception at the home of Heesun Lho ‘98 and John Lee P: ‘32, ‘35 in late September.
YOUNG ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR
Young alumni (ages 21-30) along with several faculty and staff members, reconnected at Little Rebel in New York City for the first annual EMS young alumni happy hour reception in October.
ANNUAL TRUSTEE REUNION
More than two dozen former and current EMS trustees returned to campus to reconnect and learn about exciting school updates at the annual trustee reunion in November.
Alumni Engagement Efforts
The Office of Advancement is expanding alumni engagement efforts with new initiatives. These events reflect the school’s commitment to strengthening bonds within the EMS alumni community.
- Hosted the first Young Alumni Happy Hour in the city, bringing together graduates from the classes of 2007–2017 for an evening of connection and camaraderie.
- Planning the first-ever EMS Alumni Friendsgiving Reunion, taking place on Nov. 25 for all EMS alumni which will include acknowledging milestone reunions for the 15th, 25th, and 50th graduating anniversaries.
Learn more about our vision and goals for the future of EMS
Important 2024–2025 State of the School topics include updates from Chilton House, Little School, and Morrow House, as well as Auxiliary Programs, Communications and Marketing, Enrollment, Facilities and Operations, Finances, and Community Life, Equity, and Belonging.