Odyssey School Annual Fund 2025 - 2026

November 12th, 2025

Dear Odyssey Parents and Friends,

With the arrival of November, I am pleased to announce the launch of Odyssey’s Annual Fund, one of two major fundraising events for the academic year.  Like all financially healthy independent schools, Odyssey raises money through fundraising as a regular part of our annual cycle and it is an important indicator of our community engagement and vitality as a school.

Donating through the Annual Fund is an important way you can reach out and demonstrate your support for Odyssey.  In truth, there is a gap between what it costs to educate our Odyssey students and what we charge, a gap of just over $3,000/student, so that fundraising plays a significant role in narrowing and filling that gap.  It’s also a tax deductible donation (Odyssey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution with a Tax ID number of 94-3278867).  More importantly, our fundraising contributes to financial aid and access, and plays a critical role in ensuring economic diversity amongst our students.  With expansions in the Japanese and English programs, new expeditions to the redwoods, re-introduction of Highlands, Ashland, and a fully-fledged Japan expedition — all of this just over the last two years — it also allows us to continue expanding our dynamic educational program.   Your annual fund dollars are making Odyssey a more magnificent experience.

You can greatly magnify your donation by taking advantage of corporate matching to double your donation.  With Giving Tuesdaycoming up on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it is a great opportunity to make your donation go significantly farther.  

It is important to underscore that our objective is 100% participation by all Odyssey families. Any amount between $100 and $10,000 is appreciated.  If you are able to give at a Supporting Level of $3,000 or an Expeditionary Level of $5,000 those donations will go that much further towards a vibrant future for Odyssey school.  

Odyssey’s Annual Fund is an email fundraising effort, which makes it easy for you to participate.  You can donate in one of five ways:

1. Online Portal:  direct deposit through our online portal (avoids 3% fee charged by Commit Change)
   • https://www.e-billexpress.com/ebpp/Odyssey/Login/Index
   • In the field which says “child’s name and grade” please put “Annual Fund” first, then your child’s name and grade.
2. Check:  drop off a check at the Odyssey front desk (avoids 3% fee charged by Commit Change)
3. Commit Change portal:  
   • https://us.commitchange.com/ca/san-mateo/odyssey-middle-school/campaigns/annual-fund-2025-2026
4.  Corporate matching:
   • Please reach out by email if you need information to help you
   • Our Benevity account number is:  840-943278867
5. Stock donations (reach out by email to me)

Our teachers do an extraordinary job, inside the classroom and out on expeditions, to bring a unique and exceptionally impactful middle school experience for your children.  Help us secure Odyssey School’s future as a great educational institution with your donation! 

With Gratitude and Warmth,

Jon Hale