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As a leader in real world, outdoor, and arts integrated learning, CPSC welcomes and prospers from the benevolence of folks like you.

Gifts to the Annual Fund support our school’s mission and operations by allowing us to bridge the gap between the government funding we receive and the actual cost of operating our school. CPSC is committed to a community where all children thrive.

Ways to Give

Thanks for all that you do and give!  If you have any questions, please contact: Central Park School for Children Foundation Executive Director: John Heffernan at 919-323-0490 or john@cpsfc.org.

Annual Fund

Gifts to CPSC’s Annual Fund have an immediate impact on all of our students by providing them with smaller class sizes, instructional resources, enhanced project based curriculum, a low student to teacher ratio, enriching experiences including field trips, extracurricular activities, and much more.

This year’s Annual Fund supports:

Class Wallets – ALL teachers – classroom teachers, specials/electives teachers, and exceptional children teachers receive funds via Class Wallet and that money goes directly to students and teachers to use at their discretion.

Flooring Upgrades – for our K-8 Library, our Lower School Big Room, and our Upper School Gym/Multipurpose space.

CPSC’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30; however, you may want to consider contributing by December 31 to take advantage of current calendar year tax benefits.

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Special Opportunities

In addition to the Annual Fund, we’re inviting leadership gifts this fall for two transformative projects:

  • The Integrated Arts Studio – a renovation with new elevator access to the 2nd floor, creating an inclusive and light-filled space for collaboration.

Contact John Heffernan (john@cpsfc.org), our CPSC Foundation Executive Director, on donating to these projects.

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Strawberry Festival

Our annual Strawberry Festival is a BERRY SPECIAL Day for all children hosted by Central Park School for Children. This annual fundraising event is child-centered, family run, and  community fun-focused for the entire Durham Community. Children’s ingenuity combines with community volunteerism to raise funds for CPSC’s mission of All Children Thriving, all during a trash-free green event! Next year’s festival is Saturday, May 3rd, 2026.

Learn More

How to Give

You may make a secure gift using Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Gifts can be utilized for the tax year in which the credit card transaction occurs. Donate Now.

Checks an be made out to Central Park School for Children Foundation and mailed to:
Central Park School for Children Foundation | 724 Foster Street | Durham, NC 27701

If you made an item donation(s) please fill out the CPSC Item Donation Form linked below. This is a huge help to us in documenting gifts and you get a receipt for your contribution!

Central Park School for Children In Kind Donation Form

After filling out the online form a letter of gratitude in receipt of your contribution will be emailed to you as documentation for your records and to assist you in claiming your contributions on your taxes. Paper forms are also available at the front desk of both campuses.

Any item you have given to the school counts.  You do not need to submit receipts, but you must list an estimated item value. Some examples of donated items include: Classroom supplies, Food pantry or snack items, Mileage driven on a field trip, Books or games.

Many gifts to CPSCF are doubled or even tripled because corporations and foundations match gifts to education made by their employees, retirees and directors. CPSCF credits the individual donor for the total gift. Donors should inquire whether their employer has a matching gift program, and if so, obtain the proper forms to forward to the Foundation.

Central Park School for Children Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with an EIN 20-1582345.

Recurring gifts are an easy way to make a big impact that works for your budget and schedule. Visit our online giving by clicking here to make your recurring gift. Signing up for a recurring gift is a great way to help CPSCF by providing steady, reliable funding for students and faculty through a monthly, quarterly or recurring annual gift to the School.

CPSCF welcomes donors to recommend grants from their Donor Advised Funds “DAF.”  If you have a donor advised fund, please consider recommending a grant to CPSCF today.

Central Park School for Children Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with an EIN 20-1582345.

Securities gifts offer significant tax advantages to the donor and are very easy to arrange. Stock gifts can be sent to CPSCF via DTC or by original stock certificates. Please contact (or ask your broker to contact) John Heffernan john@cpsfc.org or (919)-323-0490 for instructions on making the transfer.

About the Foundation

The CPSC Foundation is managed by the CPSC Executive Director, John Heffernan and a board of directors.  The members of the board are Robert “Bob” Chapman (President), Geoffrey Phillippe (Treasurer), James “Buster” Black, Vicky Patton, and Alan Staple. Ex Officio Members include Arlie Harris  (Interim Executive Director, CPSC), Marcia Brooks (Chair, CPSC Board of Trustees) and John Heffernan (Executive Director, CPSC Foundation). Read more about the board members here.

Endowment & Capital

Gifts to CPSC’s endowment are a legacy and promise to every future CPSC child.  It is an investment providing financial support in perpetuity for CPSC and our mission.

The management process for CPSC’s endowment is simple yet thorough, aiming to maximize investment returns without exposure to undue risk. Overseen by our Foundation’s Board of Directors Investment and Asset Management Committee and with the guidance of investment managers and advisors, we follow the guidelines, expectations, and parameters outlined in the Foundation’s Investment Policy Statement.

We fundraise for capital projects on an as-needed basis.  We are currently working to improve our facilities and unify our Elementary School and Middle School into one centralized campus.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact John Heffernan, Central Park for Children Foundation at 919-323-0490 or john@cpsfc.org.

Gift Planning

Create Your Legacy.

A planned gift is one of the most impactful ways you can support Central Park School for Children’s mission for generations of children.  You may be able to save on taxes, receive income for life or enjoy other benefits – all while helping children THRIVE.  Explore your giving options here on our website, or contact us today to start a conversation.

There are many kinds of planned gifts including the following:

  • Bequests – Reduce inheritance taxes by designating in your will specific gifts of cash, property, or a percentage of the remainder of your estate.
    Sample Bequest Language:

“I (name) of (city, state, zip), give, devise, and bequeath to Central Park School for Children Foundation

• (the sum of $_____)

• (___ percent of my estate)

• (description of property)

• (the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate)

for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

  • Lead Trusts – Assets can stay in the family while your gift reduces estate taxes and supports CPSC.
  • Life Income Gifts – Gifts of appreciated property can generate income for you with positive tax benefits. Examples include gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts.
  • Life Insurance – Designate CPSC as a beneficiary of a paid-up policy or a new policy, help ensure the school’s future, and get a tax deduction.
  • Retained Life Estate – You retain occupancy of your property for life, but give your primary or vacation home or farm to CPSC for her future benefit.
  • Retirement Plan – Name CPSC as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k) or other qualified plan and avoid the double taxation your retirement savings would face if you designate them to your heirs. Your plan administrator can provide you with the necessary documents to designate CSPC to receive a portion or all of your plan.
  • IRA Charitable Rollovers – On December 18, 2015, the IRA Charitable Rollover was passed by Congress and signed into permanent law by the President, allowing taxpayers age 70 ½ or older to transfer up to $100,000 annually from their IRA accounts directly to a qualifying charity without first having to recognize the distribution as income. You can make your mandatory distribution into a wonderful gift for CPSC

Not sure where to start, or have questions about giving to CPSC?  We encourage you to contact John Heffernan, Central Park for Children Foundation at 919-323-0490 or john@cpsfc.org.

There are many ways to get involved: in kind donations, sponsorships, volunteering, promotions…the list goes on and on! Please contact John Heffernan, Central Park for Children Foundation at 919-323-0490 or john@cpsfc.org.