At ISD, we are committed to continuous growth and improvement, and to equipping our students with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
ISD is a non-profit school built on generosity. From our founding families to today’s community, fundraising has always played a vital role in making ISD more than just a school — it powers the extraordinary.
While tuition covers day-to-day operations, it’s the support of our ISD family — parents, alumni, and friends — that helps us reach beyond: innovative programs, inspiring spaces, and bold new opportunities.
Whether you give to the Annual Fund, a Capital Campaign, or our Endowment, your support makes a lasting difference.
"Since our founding in 1968, a spirit of fundraising has been an important part of our culture and traditions. I am excited and grateful to work together with our community as we continue this legacy of giving."
Frank Tschan,
ISD Director
ANNUAL FUNDThe ISD Annual Fund is the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts, offering a unique opportunity to make an immediate and meaningful difference in our school community. We warmly invite our entire community—parents, faculty, alumni, and friends—to support our Annual Fund. Your generous contributions have been essential in building our school and nurturing its vibrant international community. To donate to the Annual Fund or Capital Campaigns, please email us: |
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PITCH YOUR PROJECT |
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We are excited to kick off this years Annual Fund round with the Pitch Your Project Campaign. This campaign has been set up to inspire students, teachers, staff and even parents to come up with innovative ideas that can enrich the learning experience at ISD. From equipment to programmes, anything that can add to the ISD learning landscape is welcomed with open arms. Projects must be in line with our strategic plan, be actionable within this school year and have a clear budget. A staff or faculty sponsor is required to submit a proposal. Exceptions may apply. In order to fill out the Pitch Your Project form, please use a google based email. If you do not have a google email please reach out to the fundraising office, and we will assist you. |
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PAST ANNUAL FUND PROJECTS |
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Since 2016, the Annual Fund has been supported numerous student-focused projects. Some were suggested by the students themselves, other projects were introduced by faculty and staff. For more information on past as well as currently funded Annaul Fund projects, please join ISD Connect. |
ISD ANNUAL FUND 2023 APPROVED PROJECTS
To read more about our Fundraising and Philanthropy, please download our brochure or reach out to the fundraising office:
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
ISD Capital Campaigns are ambitious, philanthropy-driven, long-term endeavours, often involving physical “bricks and mortar” infrastructure improvements.
The families, institutions, and individuals who have taken part in our school's Capital Campaigns have left a timeless mark of generosity that still carries, fuels, and propels ISD to this day.
Beatrice Caston
Director of Community Relations & Advancement
These projects not only benefit current students, they also lay a solid foundation for future generations. Many of our past initiatives have become a reality thanks to the generosity of individual donors and families via ISD Capital Campaigns. Often these campaigns have been tailored to the specific interest of donors. Thanks to our generous community, we have raised over one million euros to fund some of our outstanding facilities.
PAST CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING |
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Constructed in just over two years, our Elementary School building was made possible by ISD parents, in collaboration with generous donors. Today it stands as a remarkable reflection of our community's deep-seated commitment to fostering exceptional learning environments. |
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DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY CENTRE |
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Funded by the generosity of our donors, today’s Design and Technology Centre is equipped with high-tech tools such as 3D printers, pyrography equipment, and modern design programmes, allowing students to unleash their creativity. |
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SENIOR SCHOOL PHYSICS LAB |
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Our donors’ commitment to investing in modern equipment in our Senior School Physics lab, has provided our students with immersive educational experiences that spark curiosity and encourage hands-on exploration. |
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CENTRE FOR VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS |
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Thanks to generous donations from the community, our centre for Performing and Visual Arts in the Senior School became a vibrant hub of artistic expression, offering stage-ready facilities, a fully-equipped pottery room, and a limitless canvas for creativity to flourish. |
BE PART OF THE TRANSFORMATION - UPCOMING CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
As our school continues to expand, the evolving needs of our students remain a top priority. Your valuable time, resources, and generous donations will not only help shape your children's future, but also the landscape of ISD for years to come. View some of our upcoming projects below.
NAMED SPONSORSHIPS
Named Sponsorships offer a unique opportunity to celebrate and honour special individuals within our community while also making a meaningful contribution to our school.
Starting at just 2.000,- EUR, Named Sponsorships can be a great vehicle for ISD families to showcase their support, and add to the long-term tapestry of ISD. Donations are typically used to supplement our Annual Fund, to boost a Capital Campaigns, or to create an annual scholarship for deserving students and faculty. For more information on Named Sponsorships, including tiers and naming options, please contact our fundraising office. Your commitment not only honours cherished individuals but also paves the way for a brighter future within our school community.
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POTENTIAL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
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Whether it's in recognition of current supporters, in memory of past ISD community members, or as a meaningful gift for a current student or teacher (such as a graduation gift), these sponsorships create a lasting legacy on campus.
For more information about Named Sponsorships, please reach out to the fundraising office. |
ENDOWMENT FUNDS / PLANNED GIVING
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GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING |
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Is your family passionate about supporting a specific cause over the long term? Endowment Funds are created with a specific purpose in mind, funded by an initial sum (usually around 250.000,- EUR) contributed in various forms. The invested assets generate interest that funds ongoing activities, while the principal amount continues to grow over time, ensuring a perpetual source of funding. You choose the fund's type, purpose, and name, and our dedicated team takes care of the logistics to preserve your vision for future generations.
Wherever your interests may lie - be it in the arts, sciences, sports, campus enhancement, faculty advancement, or any other area - our fundraising team can help you create a customised Endowment Fund that mirrors your dreams. If you or your family would like to leave a lasting legacy at ISD via an Endowment Fund, please contact either our fundraising team for further guidance. Our finance team can also offer insights into the potential tax benefits associated with establishing an Endowment Fund, and address any questions you may have in this regard. |
| YOUR LEGACY LIVES ON |
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Why not consider leaving a lasting legacy by including ISD in your estate planning? Estate planning can be emotional and challenging, but there's a meaningful way to navigate this process. Why not consider leaving a lasting legacy at the place that helped shape the future of yourself or your family? At ISD, we understand the importance of education, community, and the impact they can have on individuals and their loved ones. Planned Giving at ISD offers a unique opportunity to honour your connection to ISD while securing a brighter future. Your support through Planned Giving ensures that the values and principles you hold dear continue to thrive, even beyond your lifetime. From simple bequests in your will to more intricate strategies like charitable gift annuities or trusts, there's a planned giving option that aligns with your vision.
By including ISD in your estate plans, you can leave a legacy of positive change that continues to benefit our community, students, and programmes for generations to come. Your generosity can help provide resources, scholarships, and opportunities that empower future students and support the enduring mission of ISD. Join us in shaping the future and securing a brighter tomorrow. Contact us today to explore how Planned Giving can align with your values and create a meaningful legacy of support for ISD. If you wish to add ISD to your estate planing, please reach out to the fundraising office. We are happy to assist and facilitate any organisation you may need. |
FAQs
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ISD is a fee-paying school, why does it need to raise funds? |
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ISD is an exceptional school with outstanding teachers, top-notch facilities, and exciting programmes for students of all ages. Tuition fees allow us to cover our day-to-day operational costs, as well as maintain our high educational standards. In addition, we encourage our students to conceive and initiate projects that transcend the ordinary and provide richer and more varied experiences. That is where fundraising plays a crucial role. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to provide exceptional opportunities for our students and have a significant and lasting impact on our school community, without significantly having to raise tuition costs. These donations all us to to go beyond where we think we can go. Fundraising is widely accepted and embraced in private and international schools around the world as an effective means to creatively support the school's mission and initiatives. At ISD we are extremely grateful for the generosity of our community members - past, present, and future - who embrace the spirit of giving and view ISD as a community, not just an individual service provider. |
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What is the difference between the Annual Fund and Capital Campaigns? |
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Both the ISD Annual Fund and ISD Capital Campaigns are essential tools that allow us to enhance our school's offerings and facilities.
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Can I choose where my donation goes? |
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Smaller contributions are typically directed to the ISD Annual Fund, where our Philanthropy & Fundraising committee works with the school leadership team to identify projects that will have the greatest impact on students. For larger donations, we are more than happy to talk about ways of customising your contribution to align with both the school's needs and your own goals and preferences. ISD Capital Campaigns are an excellent way to have a significant impact on an area that you are particularly passionate about supporting. No matter the amoung, we are happy to support you in your fundraising journey and are grateful for all contributions. |
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Are my donations tax-deductible? |
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Yes. All donations are eligible or partially eligible for tax deduction purposes. For donations, whether monetary or in kind, totaling up to 300 EUR, the German tax office typically doesn't require a donation receipt. If you have inquiries about donation receipts (Spendenbescheinigungen) for amounts exceeding 300 Euro or any related questions, please contact us: |
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Can I suggest a project for funding? |
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Yes. We are always delighted to receive ideas and feedback from our community members, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. Perhaps you have come across innovative ideas at other schools or in your workplace. If you have a specific idea that could enhance the ISD experience, whether today or in the future, and is both actionable and feasible, we invite you to complete our "Pitch Your Project" form. All project proposals are assessed by the Philanthropy & Fundraising committee, whose selection process is guided by clear criteria, including: whether the project aligns with the ISD strategic plan; whether it can be executed within a reasonable timeframe; whether it fits into the budget framework for the year. Promising ideas that are not accepted in one year are retained for consideration in future years. |
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Why was my project not considered? |
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Our projects are chosen by an independent committee and the selection process is guided by clear criteria, including whether the project aligns with our strategic plan and can be executed within a reasonable timeframe. If a project is not considered at the moment, it may not fit into the budget framework. However, promising ideas are retained for potential consideration in the future. Your input is highly valued, and we thank you for your understanding. |
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Are parents expected to make a donation? |
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Participation in all our fundraising activities is entirely voluntary. While we strongly encourage parent participation, ISD is very fortunate to have a wide base of supporters. We greatly appreciate the generosity of our extended community. |
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Do I have to financially contribute or can I volunteer? |
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Contributions can take various forms, including financial support, time, or other resources. Your involvement is valued, and we are grateful for your contributions in any way you choose to participate. |
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I've heard other schools have endowment funds. Can I start something like that in my family's name? |
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Endowment funds are a new initiative at ISD, and yes, you can absolutely establish a fund bearing your family's name. Endowment funds raise capital, and school projects are funded from the interest accrued over time. It's important to note that a larger initial sum is typically required for this approach to be meaningful. If creating an endowment fund is something your family would like to explore as a way to leave a lasting legacy at ISD, please reach out to our Director or the fundraising manager for further guidance. Additionally, there may be certain tax benefits associated with setting up such a fund, and our finance department can provide more information and address any questions you may have in this regard. |
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Why do I need to pay for things in addition to tuition that should be included in my fees? |
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ISD is an exceptional school with outstanding teachers, top-notch facilities, and exciting programs for all ages. While our budget covers operational costs and maintains our high standards, we encourage students to initiate projects that transcend the ordinary. We're thankful for the generosity of our community members who embrace the spirit of giving and view ISD as a community, not just an individual service provider. |
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What are named sponsorships, and how can I participate? |
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Named Sponsorships are typically mid- to higher-level donations, starting at around €2,000. These receive special recognition, such as a plaque on our donors’ wall, a dedicated stone or tree, or another preferred method of acknowledgment. There are also smaller naming opportunities such as our upcoming senior class wall, where families can purchase a plaque as a graduation gift, forever commemorating their senior's achievement and their lasting connection to the ISD community. For more details on this programme, watch for updates on our website or contact our fundraising team. |
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Can I donate without “named recognition”? |
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Absolutely. We fully respect the need for financial privacy, in fact, some of our past capital campaigns were funded by very private individuals, families, or even institutions. These contributions were entirely philanthropic and were handled with utmost discretion, without any public or even internal acknowledgment. If your family or foundation would like to make a donation to ISD in any capacity, we can and will ensure your privacy preferences are honoured and that your contribution remains confidential. |
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Where is my money going? |
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ISD operates with a distinct fundraising entity, known as the gGmbH (Gemeinnuetzinge GmBH), ensuring that every fundraising effort exclusively benefits our ISD Foundation. None of the funds raised are allocated towards operational or budgetary expenses. |
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What is the legal basis for ISD to be able to collect donations? |
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The International School of Düsseldorf e.V., along with its official fundraising subsidiary, ISD Fundraising gGmbH, are recognised as charitable, non-profit organisations under German law. With exemption certificates (Freistellungsbescheinigungen) granted by the Düsseldorf tax authority, our school is authorised to receive donations in both monetary and non-monetary forms to support charitable and social projects both within and outside the school community. |
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Are there non-financial ways to contribute? |
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Yes. Contributions can take various forms, including financial support, time, or other resources. Your involvement is valued, and we are grateful for your contributions in any way you choose to participate. |
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What kind of events can I expect? |
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With our new fundraising manager on board, we are actively planning community-focused fundraising events, including an annual gala. Stay tuned for announcements about these upcoming events; we look forward to sharing the details with you soon. |
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What is ISD Connect and why have I never heard of it? |
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ISD Connect, our alumni engagement tool, has been instrumental in connecting and mobilising our alumni network. As the platform expands, we've identified an exciting opportunity to extend its reach to our wider ISD Community. We are thrilled to extend an invitation to our current parents and students to join, and we will start sharing our fundraising updates, especially regarding the annual fund projects funded throughout the year. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon! |
