Independent Schools

Philanthropy is fueling the ability of independent schools to deliver exceptional, innovative curriculum while ensuring that equitable access to education remains a top priority.

Unprecedented engagement with parents and alumni, leading to record-breaking fundraising goals, is changing the way that we think about education philanthropy. There has long been a roster of schools with robust programs and extensive philanthropic legacies. That roster used to be a few. Today, fundraising is a top priority among most schools, accompanied with increasingly ambitious, successful campaigns and leadership to match. Return on investment is top of mind and a growing trend toward unrestricted major gifts is encouraging schools to re-conceive their traditional fundraising programs and staffing. Whether you are looking to develop a fundraising agenda with a new Head of School, create a plan that will help reach well past your campaign goals, or recruit critical new talent needed for your most ambitious goals, you can turn to us. Together, we create strategies and systems to ensure your school’s longevity and the ability for every student to find belonging and opportunity.

Development Guild made us feel like we were their only client. They were flexible and always available when we needed them. Each idea and question they presented us with helped us think more deeply about our campaign and goals, and the results were fabulous. Selecting Development Guild as our partner was an easy choice – and the right one!  

- Erica DeRosa, Director of Philanthropy and Engagement

We retained Development Guild to conduct two executive searches: an Assistant Head of School for Marketing and Communications and an Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management. For both searches, we were impressed by the depth and breadth of candidates presented. Development Guild helped us understand the market, and as we learned from them and they learned from us, we further fine-tuned the candidate recommendations. The process led to two wonderful hires for us.

- Ed Hardiman, Headmaster

Our Independent Schools Clients

  • Bancroft School
  • The Bement School
  • Cambridge School of Weston
  • Cardinal Spellman High School
  • Cathedral High School
  • Catholic Memorial School
  • Chestnut Hill School
  • Choate Rosemary Hall
  • Concord Academy
  • Cushing Academy
  • Dexter School/Southfield School
  • Epiphany School
  • Esperanza Academy
  • The Fenn School
  • Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
  • Glen Urquhart School
  • Kents Hill School
  • Lawrence Academy
  • Lincoln School
  • Miss Hall’s School
  • The Montessori School of Northampton
  • Nativity Preparatory School
  • The Nightingale-Bamford School
  • Northfield Mount Hermon
  • The Peck School
  • Perkins School for the Blind
  • Prospect Hill Academy Charter School
  • Rashi School
  • Ransom Everglades School
  • The Rectory School
  • Sacred Heart Schools – Atherton
  • Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston
  • The Speyer Legacy School
  • St. John’s High School
  • St. John’s Preparatory School
  • St. Luke’s School
  • St. Mark’s School
  • St. Mary’s High School
  • Thayer Academy
  • Tilton School
  • Tower Hill School
  • Walnut Hill School for the Arts
  • Waring School
  • Winsor School

Other Practice Areas We Serve