40 & Forever Campaign

Honoring the Past. Securing the Future.

The Dunham School was founded in 1981 with one mission—to educate the mind and the heart for Christ. 40 years later, that mission continues to guide us as we plan for the future. We are excited to announce the launch of the 40 & Forever Campaign, a $16,000,000 campaign that honors our past and secures our future.
FISCAL
SUSTAINABILITY
FACULTY
SUPPORT
PROGRAM
EXPANSION
FACILITY
UPDATES
NEW BUILDING/
CAPITAL PROJECTS
61% Funded

We're ready! Are you ready?

Every contribution to the 40 & Forever Campaign will honor our past and secure the future of the Dunham School. Your participation in this campaign will ensure that we can serve students and their families for the next 40 years—and forever.

Campaign Funds

Cornerstone Fund: $5,500,000

+

The Cornerstone Fund has been established to assist in the elimination of debt to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of The Dunham School.

Donations Benefit:

  • a $5.5 million in debt reduction, which cuts the school's debt liability by half
  • an increased pace to pay off debt
  • a reduction of annual debt payments, resulting in $3,000,000 in freed yearly revenue
  • a plan to eliminate debt within 10 years
  • an alleviation of pressure on the current operating budget
  • additional resources to be used to advance the school's mission
  • a competitive tuition structure.
Capital Building & Campus Improvements: $5,000,000

+

The Capital Building and Campus Improvement Fund will help ensure that our facilities reflect the excellence of our academic program and assist in the implementation of Phase I of the 15-year campus master plan.

Donations benefit:

  • upgrades to the Lower School Playground **Construction Completed**
  • the installation of lighting and artificial turf on the PE and athletic practice field
  • an expansion of the Rollins Family Dining Hall and exterior enhancements to Chapel Hall
  • the completion of Phase II of the Carpenter-Randall Science Center
  • renovations to the Dunham Stadium, including entrance, concessions, restrooms, and lighting
The Dunham Fund: $4,000,000

+

The Dunham Fund provides annual support for the school's operational needs as well as increased funding for faculty support and development, program enhancements, scholarships and tuition assistance, and campus improvements.

Donations benefit:

  • faculty salary increases
  • professional development opportunities
  • merit-based scholarships and tuition assistance awards
  • technology and communication upgrades
  • the expansion of the Dunham Virtual Academy
  • small campus improvements, including landscaping, drainage, and covered walkways
  • funding for unforeseen expenses that occur during the school year
Scholarship Endowment Fund: $500,000

+

The Scholarship Endowment Fund will allow the school to offer more merit-based scholarships and tuition assistance awards to qualifying students.

Donations benefit:

  • current and future students
  • financial assistance and scholarship funds.
Dunham Legacy Society: $1,000,000

+

The Dunham Legacy Society was established in 2020 to provide opportunities for donors to make a planned gift that will have a lasting impact on future generations of students and help secure the school's fiscal sustainability.

Planned gift options include:

  • Bequests
  • Charitable lead or Charitable Remainder Trust
  • IRA or other retirement plans
  • Life insurance
  • Real estate or tangible property
  • Gift annuities

1981

The Chapel School officially opened at The Chapel on the Campus Church on the LSU campus with an enrollment of 89 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In that same year, Trafton Academy opened its high school on Roy Emerson Drive, the current site of The Dunham School.

Fundraising Goal: $500,000
Project includes new playground and sensory equipment, artificial turf, refurbished sports courts, a new sportsplex area, and updated fencing.

Lower School Playground

1982

The Chapel School moved to a new location on Lanier Drive, and, by 1985, the school had outgrown that campus.

Practice Field & Stadium Upgrades

Fundraising Goal: $1,000,000
Project includes installation of all-weather turf, new lighting, drainage, and landscaping on the practice field and permanent restrooms, concession stand, and ticket booth at the Dunham Stadium.

1982

The Chapel School moved to a new location on Lanier Drive, and, by 1985, the school had outgrown that campus.

Science Center Phase II

Fundraising Goal: $500,000
Phase II renovations to the Carpenter-Randall Science Center include upgrading to the remaining five science classrooms with new tables, equipment, lighting, paint, and flooring.

Lower School Playground

Fundraising Goal: $500,000
Project includes new playground and sensory equipment, artificial turf, refurbished sports courts, a new sportsplex area, and updated fencing.

Practice Field & Stadium Upgrade

Fundraising Goal: $1,000,000
Project includes installation of all-weather turf, new lighting, drainage, and landscaping on the practice field and permanent restrooms, concession stand, and ticket booth at the Dunham Stadium.

Science Center Phase II

Fundraising Goal: $500,000
Phase II renovations to the Carpenter-Randall Science Center include upgrading to the remaining five science classrooms with new tables, equipment, lighting, paint, and flooring.

Middle School and Upper School PE & Athletic Improvements

Fundraising Goal: $1,000,000
Currently Pledged: $171,635

The Middle School and Upper School Athletic improvements include installation of all-weather turf, new lighting, drainage, and landscaping on the practice field and permanent restrooms, concession stand, and ticket booth at the Dunham Stadium.

The practice field is used daily by our Middle and Upper School Physical Education departments and multiple sports teams. This upgrade will allow for a faster drying surface, flexibility in athletic practices and PE schedules, and the ability to rent out the facility for additional revenue.

Expansion of the Rollins Family Dining Hall & Exterior Refurbishment to Chapel Hall

Fundraising Goal:  $2,500,000
Dollars Pledged: $195,500

Expansion of the Rollins Family Dining hall would nearly double the current seating capacity. Upgrades would include updates to the HVAC system, kitchen and service lines, paint and flooring, bricking of the metal facade of Chapel Hall, and improvements made to landscaping and exterior lighting to provide a more inviting entrance.

Project Benefits:

  • Benefits all students, faculty and staff at The Dunham School
  • Provides for more students to be served at one time, creating better lunch room scheduling and less reliance on outdoor eating spaces
  • Allows for greater opportunities to host events, creating additional revenue opportunities
  • Enhances the appeal of our lunch program to prospective students and families
  • Creates a more cohesive look to all of the buildings on campus and a more welcoming front entrance

Science Center Phase II

Fundraising Goal: $500,000
Currently Pledged: $178,100

Phase II renovations to the Carpenter-Randall Science Center include upgrading to the remaining five science classrooms with new tables, equipment, lighting, paint, and flooring.

Lower School Playground

COMPLETED
Fundraising Goal: $500,000
Project includes new playground and sensory equipment, artificial turf, refurbished sports courts, a new sportsplex area, and updated fencing.

Are you ready to spark success for the next 40 years?

VIEW FULL PROFILE
Kelly DeRossette
Director of Development

Kelly DeRossette

Email Me
Employed at Dunham since
2017
Undergraduate Degree
Louisiana State University, 2007
Graduate Degree
Louisiana State University, 2009
Doctorate Degree
Certifications
Awards or Additional Certificates
Coaching/Club Responsibilities
Close X
VIEW FULL PROFILE
Nancy Little
Director of Alumni and Corporate Fundraising

Nancy Little

Director of Alumni and Corporate Fundraising

Email Me
Employed at Dunham since
2022
Undergraduate Degree
Graduate Degree
Doctorate Degree
Certifications
Awards or Additional Certificates
Coaching/Club Responsibilities
Close X
VIEW FULL PROFILE
Ciara Martin
Director of Annual Giving

Ciara Martin

Director of Annual Giving

Email Me
Employed at Dunham since
2021
Undergraduate Degree
Southeastern Louisiana University, 2013
Graduate Degree
Doctorate Degree
Certifications
Awards or Additional Certificates
Coaching/Club Responsibilities
Close X
GIVE ONLINE TODAY

We can't wait to welcome you!

InquireVisitApply