Endowment
Derby was founded by a planned legacy gift.
Our founder Sarah Derby willed her estate to the education of the children of Hingham in the Derby Academy Charter. In doing so, she has transformed the lives of more children than she could ever have imagined.
Delivering on our ambitious mission to Improve Both Mind and Heart requires significant resources. It takes substantial and steady funding to retain exceptional faculty, design an innovative and inspiring curriculum, and offer generous financial aid.
A strong endowment is the foundation of long-term excellence.
$16.2 Million
Endowment
To make a gift to an established endowment fund, or to create one to support an area of the school that is important to you, please contact:
Kristin Donelan
Director of Advancement
781-749-0746 ext 130
kdonelan@derbyacademy.org
Growing Derby’s endowment is one of the most important steps we can take to secure the school’s future. A strong endowment ensures that generations of students and teachers will continue to benefit from the same exceptional opportunities and community that make Derby so special.
—Hunter Kass
P’26,‘27,‘32, Trustee
Peer Schools' Endowment vs. Derby's
Investing today creates greater possibilities for Derby students—now and for generations to come.
Endowment Size
DERBY TODAY VS. PEER SCHOOL AVERAGE
Peer Average
|
Derby Today
|
Annal Draw (5% Draw)
DERBY TODAY VS. PEER SCHOOL AVERAGE
Peer Average
|
Derby Today
|
Source: Greater Boston Independent School Survey, 2025–2026. Peer support shown at a 5% draw. Derby support shown as FY26 projected support.
Peer subset: Shore Country Day School, Belmont Day School, Brookwood School, Cambridge Friends School, Dedham Country Day School, Charles River School, Meadowbrook, Nashoba Brooks School, Tenacre Country Day School, Pike, Park School, Fay School, Chestnut Hill School, The Fenn School, Shady Hill School, and Tower School.
Strengthening Derby's Future
Unlike annual gifts which are spent each year, endowment gifts are invested to provide steady income year after year. This reliable support ensures Derby can meet its most important priorities for generations to come. Growing the endowment amplifies our ability to support the students and teachers that make Derby what it is. A larger endowment means more tuition assistance, more competitive faculty recruitment and retention, and more innovative programs enriching the student experience.
Derby is grateful to those who support the school with a gift to our endowment. These gifts can be restricted for a specific purpose or they may be unrestricted, giving the school the much needed flexibility to address our most pressing needs. Named endowed funds (for teaching chairs, stipends, and scholarships) can be established, and allow Derby to offer legacy-building recognition to the donors who see beyond today’s horizon toward tomorrow’s opportunities.
Questions?
To learn more about Endowment Giving, please refer to our FAQ page for more information:
