Essential Considerations for Auxiliary Programs at Independent Schools

Schools are increasingly considering the possibilities offered by robust auxiliary programs and non-tuition revenue streams. According to NBOA’s BIIS data, revenue from auxiliary programs outpaces annual fundraising and income from endowments at most independent schools. While auxiliary offers opportunity and a potential lever for increased financial sustainability, school leaders should carefully consider how they approach the development and expansion of auxiliary programs to optimize success and to bolster strategic priorities. Drawing on case studies from boarding and day schools, national trends and proven best practices, this session will address five key high-level factors schools should consider before investing in auxiliary programs.

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn the five most important considerations that school leaders and board members should consider when investing in the future success of their auxiliary programs.

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Members: Free
Nonmembers: $125.00

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Presenters

Carolyn Hapeman

Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations

Westtown School

Carolyn Hapeman, CPA, is assistant head of school for finance and operations at Westtown School, a Quaker PK-12 independent day and boarding school enrolling 700 students. Hapeman began her career in public accounting in Madison, Wisconsin. After 11 years, she moved into the private sector as controller and chief compliance officer at Northern Capital Management, and then as controller at Sungard Avantgard, a Fortune 500 company. Hapeman began her career in independent schools in 2008 as chief financial officer for New Community Jewish High School in California and then moved to Linden Hall School for Girls in Pennsylvania. She currently serves as board chair of the PAISBOA Foundation, and is the 2023 recipient of the John Batley Award, PAISBOA’s highest honor.

Nat Saltonstall

Executive Director

SPARC

Nat Saltonstall is a leading expert in the field of independent school summer and auxiliary programming. Over the past 30+ years, Saltonstall has developed and directed multiple high performing summer programs at several independent schools while also providing targeted guidance to others through his consulting services. He currently serves as the executive director of SPARC, the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative. SPARC is the premier national organization serving independent school auxiliary program leaders. As a consultant, Saltonstall works closely with independent schools to design high impact, revenue-generating auxiliary programs that achieve each school’s specific goals.

David Sullivan

Senior Advisor

SPARC

David Sullivan is currently a senior advisor at SPARC. Previously he served as executive director of Breakwater Learning, principal at The Brooklin School, on the faculty at Milton Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon School and as associate director at the Exploration School. Sullivan has an M.Ed. from Harvard and a B.A. from Hampshire College. He served chaired the Commission for Independent Schools at New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Sullivan is passionate about finding strategic pathways and creating sustainable models for independent schools.