Fort Worth Country Day: Forward Together
Fort Worth Country Day's Forward Together Campaign has achieved an incredible milestone, raising $38.8 million toward the School's ambitious goals. The funds raised are focused on our campaign priorities: the new enhanced athletic fields and track, the new Lower School building, and an $8 million increase in our existing endowment.
Lower School Dedication | Lower School Transformation Videos | Lower School Naming Opportunities | Donor Profiles | Campaign Goals and Priorities | Pledge Payment Options | Make a Gift 
The success of the campaign is a testament to the generosity of over 250 families, including current parents, past parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, and local foundations. This collective support, along with the leadership efforts of our Campaign Chair, William Butler '96, and the Comprehensive Campaign Steering and Public Phase Committees, has laid a strong foundation for our future. It truly has been a community effort.
FWCD's state-of-the-art athletic fields, dedicated in 2022, have already been enjoyed by students and the community. Now, attention is turning to the eagerly anticipated new Lower School building, slated to open in January 2025.
In addition to the visible improvements, the campaign's emphasis on FWCD's endowment is equally critical. A contribution to the endowment provides lasting support that benefits students for generations because the returns from those investments help fund essential programs, scholarships, and initiatives year after year. It's like planting a tree that keeps growing, offering shade and nourishment for the School community long into the future.
With the goal of reaching $40 million, FWCD is now in the final stretch of the campaign. We are at the one-yard line as we work this fall to reach our overall campaign goal of $40 million. Every gift counts and gets us one step closer to our goal line. We hope you will join us in supporting this historic campaign for our school.
Annie Richardson Bass Lower School Building Dedication
Lower School Transformation
Pledge payment options — Five (5) year pledge period
| Gift Amount | 5-year pledge Annual pledge payments (5 payments) | 5-year pledge Quarterly pledge payments (20 payments) | 5-year pledge Monthly payments (60 payments) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 | $8,334 |
| $350,000 | $70,000 | $17,500 | $5,834 |
| $250,000 | $50,000 | $12,500 | $4,167 |
| $100,000 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $1,667 |
| $50,000 | $10,000 | $2,500 | $835 |
| $25,000 | $5,000 | $1,250 | $417 |
| $10,000 | $2,000 | $500 | $167 |
For more information about making a gift, establishing a new fund, contributing to an established fund, taking advantage of a naming opportunity or maximizing a gift's potential by combining resources with other Falcons, contact Sandra Tuomey, Director of Advancement, at [email protected] or 817.302.3223.
Lower School Naming Opportunities
| Space | Naming Gift | Reserved | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library | $2,500,000 | Reserved | |
| Grade 1 & 2 Wing | $5,000,000 | Yes | |
| Grade 1 Pod | $1,000,000 | Reserved | |
| Grade 2 Pod | $1,000,000 | Reserved | |
| Grade 3 & 4 Wing | $5,000,000 | Yes | |
| Grade 3 Pod | $1,000,000 | Reserved | |
| Grade 4 Pod | $1,000,000 | Reserved | |
| Classrooms | $350,000 | 4 Reserved | 12 Available |
| Entry | $1,000,000 | Reserved | |
| Commons | $2,500,000 | Reserved | |
| Collaboratory | $550,000 | Reserved | |
| Science Specialty Classrooms | $550,000 | 2 Reserved | |
| Small Group Rooms | $150,000 | 2 Reserved | |
| SOAR Office | $150,000 | 1 Available | |
| Counselor Office | $125,000 | Reserved | |
| Academic Support Offices | $150,000 | 2 Reserved | |
| Conference Room | $250,000 | Reserved | |
| Offices | $125,000 | 1 Reserved | 1 Available |
| Administration Suite | $1,000,000 | Reserved | |
| Break Room | $100,000 | Reserved | |
| Nurse Office | $75,000 | Reserved | |
| Outdoor Classrooms | $250,000 | 2 Reserved | |
| Story Tree Patio | $2,000,000 | Yes | |
| Butterfly Garden | $200,000 | Reserved |
Letter from Co-Chair William Butler ’96
Dear Fort Worth Country Day Families and Friends,
As we mark the 60th anniversary of our beloved school, we find ourselves reflecting on our visionary Founders, rich history, time-honored traditions, distinguished faculty and staff, remarkable students, and loyal alumni who are leaders in their fields. The past six decades have witnessed the formation and evolution of Fort Worth Country Day into the community’s leading private school, and the contributions of past donors have played an instrumental role in shaping our institution.
We have much to be proud of as we celebrate our first 60 years and plan for the next 60. To that end, October 6, 2023, marks a new chapter in Fort Worth Country Day’s history as we publicly launch the Forward Together Comprehensive Campaign. This fundraising effort will enhance FWCD’s ability to continue providing leading educational programs within the best facilities supported by an outstanding faculty to achieve academic excellence both now and in the future.
I have the honor of serving as Co-Chair of this campaign and with the momentous support and commitment of 170 leadership donors so far, we have already received over $31 million in gifts to advance the goals of this fundraising effort. These include the athletic track and field enhancements already completed; the construction of a new Lower School, which is about to begin; and further bolstering of our already substantial endowment fund.
This support has been largely generated from within our Falcon School community, including our current parents, many of whom are also proud alumni, and a new generation of donors who wish to make a difference at our school and continue the positive impact of FWCD’s education on our students and the Fort Worth community.
Fort Worth Country Day is more than just a school. This place is home; it’s family. It is where I met my lovely wife, Anjie (Landreth) Butler ’94 and where her parents, Gail (Widmer) ’69 and Bill Landreth ’67 also met in the early days of the school and had the foresight to send her and her siblings here. My father, Geoff Butler H’98, served as Head of School from 1987-96. Our children, Ward ’24 and Adelaide ’26, now attend along with their cousins. There are many similar stories to ours. It is now our privilege to ensure that FWCD continues to thrive for generations to come.
While we have made great progress in our fundraising so far, we have more work to do and need everyone’s support. I invite the campus community and beyond to join us as we write Fort Worth Country Day’s next chapter. We are now focused on fulfilling the funding for our new Lower School and increasing gifts to our endowment. Every dollar you give or pledge makes a difference and brings us closer to our goal. Your donation to the Forward Together Campaign is an investment in the future potential of our school. Together, we can inspire the generations to come.
We have all been fortunate to be the beneficiaries of those who’ve donated in the past. It is now incumbent on our generation to step up and play our part to secure the future of our school and further preserve its legacy that means so much to us all, so those in the future can benefit as well.
Sincerely,
William Butler ’96
Forward Together Comprehensive Campaign Co-chair
Featured Donor
Donor Profiles
From Here, Anywhere …
Forward Together
Fort Worth Country Day's Forward Together Comprehensive Campaign supports a bold vision that, when achieved, will connect the School's initial 60 years with the next 60, creating a lasting, vibrant and inclusive community and campus with programs, faculty and facilities that inspire engagement, excellence and a sense of belonging.
A Comprehensive Campaign is one of the most important ways any school at any time over the history of independent schools has been able to take themselves forward.
—Eric Lombardi, Head of School
Goals and Priorities
Fort Worth Country Day aims to meet the long-term needs of our students and our city by providing the Best Teachers, Best Teaching, and Best Teaching and Learning Environment. Achieving these priorities will ensure FWCD's ability to continue delivering leading-edge education, which is essential for the development of future leaders for our community, our city and our country.
Built upon the School's strategic plan and campus master plan, the Forward Together campaign encompasses four distinct priorities, each supporting the FWCD's mission and each meeting critical goals that serve our students, families, faculty and the city of Fort Worth. The priorities are:
- Endowment for Sustainability - $8 million
- Lower School New Construction - $25 million
- Athletic Fields Enhancement - $3.5 million (funded)
- FWCD Fund - $4.5 million
FWCD – A School of Significance
The Forward Together Comprehensive Campaign provides the means to ensure Fort Worth Country Day continues to fulfill its mission set forth in 1963 and continues to nurture this vision for the future. Each Founder and successive generation of supporters – our parents, alumni, grandparents, friends, faculty and staff – have played a part in contributing to this ongoing masterpiece of an exceptional school. Our programs are strategically and wisely engineered and aligned toward our calling to cultivate enthusiastic, thoughtful, well-rounded and responsible young global citizens and leaders who are exceptionally prepared to excel in college and beyond.
Join Us: Ensure Fort Worth Country Day's Future
Fort Worth Country Day exists and thrives today due to the care, vision and action of its trailblazing Founders and those who have followed in their footsteps. The School has exceeded its ambitious goals over the decades, thanks to the commitment of many generous individuals and families in our community. The returns on our Founders' investments are immeasurable – and stand as a testament to their foresight.
We invite you to stand alongside them and add your legacy to the next chapter by participating in From Here, Anywhere… Forward Together, The Comprehensive Campaign for Fort Worth Country Day, the most meaningful, ambitious expansion and improvement initiative in the School's proud and storied history.
Campaign Leadership
Honorary Chair
- Kit Tennison Moncrief ’70
Campaign Co-Chairs
- William Butler ’96, Organization and Operations Co-chair
- Gloria Moncrief Holmsten ’00, Leadership Gifts Co-chair
- Heather and Ryan Senter, Constituency Co-chairs
Campaign Member
- Gantt Bumstead
- Brian Crumley ’92
- Randy Eisenman ’93
- Bryan King
- Stephen Luskey ’01
- Rob Semple ’95
- Helen Todora
- Michael Todora
“Constituent Campaign Champion” Volunteers
- Parents
- Claire and Joseph Berkes ’98
- Leigh (Taylor) ’95 and Michael Bornitz
- Haddy and Edward Manuel
- Larkin and Richard McMillan
- Grandparents
- Carol and Vern Spurlock
- Jerry and James Taylor
- Alumni
- Asad Dean ’90
- Katy Rhodes Magruder ’98
- Reid Shackelford ’93
- Past Parents
- Joy Ann and Bob Havran
- Bari (Buckner) ’83 and John Brookman ’80
- Faculty/Staff
- Dan Bloch H’06
- Andreanne Annis
- Hugo Munoz
Lower School Subcommittee
- Helen and Michael Todora, Co-chairs
- Claire and Joseph Berkes ’98
- Anne Carvalho
- Larkin and Richard McMillan
- Mary (Hallman) ’03 and Dwayne Smith
FWCD 60th Anniversary Evening with the Heads of School
On March 21, FWCD hosted an evening of legacy and leadership in celebration of the School's 60th anniversary with Heads of School Geoffrey Butler H'98 (1987-96), Evan Peterson H'15 (2002-15) and Eric Lombardi (2015-present). Their unscripted panel discussion at Shady Oaks Country Club took the audience through the past, filled with cherished memories and profound insights. Nearly 150 people attended the event, spanning alumni and current and former faculty, staff, parents, grandparents and Trustees, truly bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Elizabeth Baxter at [email protected] or 817.302.3204.
