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Learn how giving at Riverview works!

Since Riverview School’s founding in 1957, we have worked to build a one-of-a-kind educational experience for students with complex learning challenges. Each year, in every area of student development: classroom, extracurricular, and residential life,  Riverview staff are dedicated to individualized education, and innovation. At each step in our evolution, Riverview School has relied on the extended Riverview family to support the needs of the school and foster new ideas and new directions, with philanthropic support in 3 key areas: Annual Fund, our spring Village of Dreams Gala, and strategic Capital Campaigns.

Each of these giving areas has a special purpose, and each has been instrumental in Riverview School becoming a nationally recognized center of excellence, where generations of students can experience life-changing growth.

Annual Fund

At Riverview it is our priority to provide programming and services to our students, parents, siblings and alumni in environments that encourage and promote the growth of the WHOLE family. In recent years, we have utilized our Annual Fund to innovate and develop many new programs in areas such as wellness, nutrition, and the arts. Our most recent innovation is a comprehensive Family Education and Support program focused on:

• New Family Support Programing
• Family Education Series
• Final Year GROW Mentorship
• Alumni Support

None of this would be possible without the ongoing success of our Annual Fund and the leadership of our engaged community.

Last year, our efforts to expand participation in our Annual Fund increased exponentially. This increase is a direct result of the committed and passionate effort of our community. This year we want to keep the momentum going to reach our goal of 100%.

To donate to Riverview’s Annual Fund online, click here.

To send a donation via mail, please address to
Riverview School
Attention: Advancement Office
551 Route 6A,
East Sandwich MA 02537

Village of Dreams Gala

RIVERVIEW SCHOOL’S 25th ANNUAL VILLAGE OF DREAMS GALA RAISES A RECORD BREAKING $1MILLION IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS!

Nearly 400 people attended Riverview’s 25th Annual Village of Dreams Gala on Friday, June 16th, 2023, in support of expanding the school’s Arts programming. At Riverview, we believe in exceptional programming for our exceptional students. The Arts provide critical pathways for transformational expression and give numerous opportunities for authentic self-discovery, leading to multitudes of positive outcomes for our students.

The Gala and auction took place on the brand-new MC Greene Field under an open-air tent on a beautiful night on Riverview’s East Sandwich campus. The event set a fundraising record for the school netting over $1,000,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, a robust silent and LIVE auction, and an inspiring Fund a Dream paddle raise.

Much of the décor and all the entertainment was provided by Riverview’s creative and talented students. Riverview Visual Arts teacher, Cathy Sampson, taught a Gala-centric art class leading up to the event which produced a stunning gallery of student art as the centerpiece for the stage. Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator Greg Simpson worked with student DJs The Boom Squad who provided music during cocktail hour and student band S.T.L (Sky’s the Limit) opened the night with a high energy show-stopping performance.

The event kicked off with a lively cocktail hour. An animated wine toss entertained the crowd, memories were captured at the photo booth, and supporters flocked to the raffle table for a chance to win gorgeous diamond hoop earrings. Existing relationships were strengthened, and new friendships were formed.

The live and silent auctions incorporated items from categories including sports tickets, beautiful high-end jewelry, fine art, exciting dining opportunities, one-of-a-kind Riverview-specific items, and luxury trips to destinations from Tuscany to Anguilla.

The Gala was hosted for the second year in a row by Riverview parent, advocate, and actor Amy Brenneman. Honored that evening were long-time supporters of the school and, art enthusiasts Rebecca and Marty Eisenberg with The Dream Maker Award, presented to those who have had a transformational impact on the Riverview School community.

Head of School, Stewart Miller, and Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Greg Simpson spoke about the positive benefits of the arts on Riverview students and the community, which was then exemplified in a video of Riverview students, staff, and parents speaking about their unique experiences and successes. Based on the strength of some amazing lead gifts to kick off the Fund-A-Dream paddle raise, an inspired Riverview community responded by raising over $500,000 in support of the Arts at Riverview School. Watch our Fund-A-Dream video here!

It truly takes a village, and The Gala could not have been made possible without the dedication of the 40+ person Gala committee led by Gala Chair; Linda Ledoux and Gala Co-Chair; Barb Noble, the hard-working volunteers (many of whom are Riverview staff), talented vendors and partners, and the immense generosity of Riverview School’s devoted sponsors and donors.
Campaign for Wellness

Capital Campaigns at Riverview support growth in both Programming and state-of-the art facilities. Our most recent Campaign for Wellness has allowed us to build our game-changing Cohen Center for Fitness and Recreation, that incorporates integrated wellness programming into the fabric of daily life, including programs that teach healthy eating and wellness habits that will impact quality-of-life long after graduation. This past spring, we opened a state-of-the-art Nutrition Cooking Center which allows our students to cook, prep and learn in a for a truly hands on classroom setting. In October of 2022, we officially broke ground on the final phase of our Campaign for Wellness as we began construction of a brand new outdoor turf field and rubber track to replace the old Davis Field. Expected completion is scheduled for Spring 2023.

Before Wellness, our Capital Campaigns have helped in many ways including: prioritizing music and the arts programming in our James Center, the growth and expansion of our postsecondary GROW program, and many of the other things that have become essential to the Riverview Community experience.

Capital Campaigns are always big, but their impact on the Riverview culture as a whole is even bigger.

FAQs

What does the Annual Fund support?

Riverview’s Annual Fund provides unrestricted money for programs and experiences for our students and faculty. It allows for our Riverview community to engage in a dynamic and enriching curriculum for each and every one of our students.

Money raised through the Annual Fund is also used to fund the greatest need at any given time. In many ways, the annual fund funnels programming and enrichment through every aspect of a student’s experience here at Riverview.

Why, outside of tuition, is additional money needed?

As with many Independent schools, tuition does not cover all of the annual operating expenses for the school. Riverview relies greatly on bridging the gap between tuition and our annual operating costs. It helps to provide program enhancements and continued innovation.

Why is 100% Parent Participation important?

We hope and encourage each of our Riverview families to consider Riverview a philanthropic priority for their family.

Your participation is a vote of confidence in all that we do. Your gift helps to advance our mission to empower our faculty and students to build the strongest path towards success. It allows us to innovate and utilize new strategies to deliver individualized programming for each of our students.

What is our goal?

The primary goal of Riverview’s annual fund is to bridge the gap between what tuition provides, and the cost it takes to execute a top notch Riverview Education. More specifically, Riverview relies on raising at least $650,000- $700,000 annually in order to support the budgetary needs of the school.

How much should I give?

Individual gifts can range from anywhere between $25-$50,000. The average gift of a parent is $2,000. At Riverview we believe if everyone gives as generously as possible, for their current financial situation, then we can collectively reach our goals.

What are the dates for the Annual Fund?

Our annual fund runs July 1- June 30th, but our primary fundraising efforts for the annual fund typically runs September- December.

Are gifts to the Annual Fund tax-deductible?

Yes. Gifts to Riverview’s annual fund is considered a charitable donation and can be fully deducted within IRS regulatory limits. Please note that event tickets and raffles are not tax-deductible.

Are matching gifts important?

Yes! Many companies and employers offer charitable match donations for employees. Please contact your Human Resource department to see if your company has a matching gift program. You will receive donor credit for both the original gift and the amount of the match. Every dollar counts!

A Video Library About Giving At Riverview
2023 Fund-A-Dream: The Arts
Giving at Riverview
Learn about Riverview's commitment to financial aid
Hear directly from our students
Reflecting Back on 2020
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