Fundraising
Ways to Give
Our mission is to inspire young minds and cultivate compassionate leaders.
Your support will help us continue to provide a rigorous academic program, innovative extracurricular activities, and a nurturing environment where students can thrive. Together, we can make a difference.
The Development Office would like to thank our donors for the support you give.
Annual Fundraising Events
Fundraising Goals
Our fundraising calendar is designed to keep our community—friends, families, alumni, and donors—informed and inspired to support Maharishi School throughout the year. The Development Office sends out regular email updates with details about upcoming events and ways to get involved.
In addition to our three major seasonal fundraising campaigns, you may also find us at Fairfield’s local Holiday Fair, hosting a booth where students sell handmade items to support their projects. We also bring people together through special events like Pickleball or Golf Tournaments, celebrations for Teacher Appreciation Day, Winter Holidays, Valentine’s Day, and Generations Day.
Fall: FUNDamentals
Our Fall fundraiser kicks off the school year by highlighting the power of your giving. Through a series of emails in late August through October, we spotlight stories and updates that show how your support directly impacts our mission of Consciousness-Based Education.
Here are a few highlights you’ll learn about during this campaign:
- The Impact of Your Support: See how your donations to the Annual Fund enhance the student experience and learn about the Educational Savings Account (ESA).
- Meet Our New Teachers: Get to know the newest members of our faculty through photos and stories.
- Welcome Our Global Community: Hear from new boarding students joining us from around the world.
- Pioneer Pride: Celebrate our Trailblazers, Innovators, Adventurers, and Visionaries!
📈 Last year, 60 generous donors helped us surpass our $20,000 goal—raising nearly $22,000! With your help, we can make this year even more impactful.
Winter Season of Giving
December is filled with opportunities to give—from Giving Tuesday to Matching Donations—all in support of our Annual Fund and Scholarship Fund. These vital funds support teacher salaries, technology upgrades, classroom materials, and student financial aid.
- Giving Tuesday is a Global Day of Generosity, celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Maharishi School participates with a campaign that encourages our community to give back and help transform lives.
- Matching Gift Challenge: Toward the end of December, generous donors often offer to match gifts dollar for dollar, doubling your impact. It’s the perfect time to make a tax-deductible donation while helping us fund scholarships for local, national, and international boarding students.
🎁 Last year, 75 donors helped us exceed our $30,000 goal—raising nearly $44,000! Your involvement makes all the difference.
Spring Fundraiser
Spring brings two exciting giving opportunities that connect our global community in celebration and support.
Maharishi Yagya Celebration
Each spring, we hold community-wide Maharishi Yagya performances—ancient Vedic ceremonies that promote success and good fortune. Donations for the yagyas help strengthen the foundational pillars of our school and community.
🙏 Last year, 250 donors helped us exceed our $65,000 goal—raising more than $70,000 in support of this cherished tradition.
Spring Raffle & Spring Fusion Live Event
CLICK HERE to buy raffle tickets and for more information.
The Spring Raffle is one of our most fun and interactive fundraisers! For just $30 per ticket or 4/$100, you can enter to win one or all FOUR amazing Grand Prizes, including:
- Costco Membership + $1,000 Shopping Spree
- MIU Golden Dome Café $500 Gift Account
- 6-Night Waterfront Cabin Getaway in Moose Lake, Minnesota
- 4-Week Camp Waziyatah Overnight Camp Experience (ages 6–16, Maine)
Maharishi School’s annual Spring Raffle culminates in Spring Fusion Live—a free, family-friendly community celebration on Friday, May 15 in the Henry Ogden Clark Auditorium. The evening will feature student performances, guest artists, alumni recognition, bonus giveaways, and the exciting live drawing of four Grand Prizes.
All raffle proceeds go directly toward teacher compensation and student scholarships—two of the most important areas that keep our school thriving.
Last year, 250 donors helped us raise nearly $19,700, coming close to our $20,000 Goal.
Designated Funds
Ways to Give
Annual Fund
Annual Giving is the cornerstone of all fundraising activities and is needed to maintain the level of everyday excellence and unique programs that define Maharishi School. It refers to unrestricted gifts made to the school, including:
- Faculty/staff salaries and benefits
- Classroom resources and curriculum enhancements
- Educational technology and software
- Student life and activities
- Faculty professional development and training
- Environmental sustainability efforts
- Maintenance of buildings and grounds
- Safety, security, and accessibility improvements
To make an Annual Fund donation, click below and select General Donation from the drop-down list provided.
Scholarship Fund
The Scholarship Fund opens the door for more families to experience the life-changing benefits of Consciousness-Based Education. Your gift helps students who need financial assistance to attend Maharishi School. You can choose to support:
- Day Student Scholarships – for local students attending five days a week
- Boarding Student Scholarships – for national and international boarding students
How your gift helps:
- Donations go into a school-managed fund that supports many students.
- Scholarships are awarded based on need, merit, and/or leadership potential.
- Your generosity strengthens diversity and expands access to a world-class education.
- While every effort is made to honor donor intent, Maharishi School may adjust fund allocations to best meet student needs.
- Only gifts made through these scholarship funds are tax-deductible. Direct tuition payments to specific students are not tax-deductible.
To make a Scholarship Fund donation, simply click below and select “Day Student Scholarship Fund” or “Boarding Student Scholarship Fund” from the drop-down list provided.
Restricted Funds
A restricted donation is a gift made for a specific purpose chosen by the donor. The funds can only be used for that designated purpose and must be tracked separately from the Annual Fund (unrestricted funds).
Restricted funds give donors assurance that their money is being used in the manner they desire. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- A donation earmarked for a Science Lab Renovation Project
- Contributions to a Faculty Excellence Fund or Professional Development Fund
- Support for a specific academic department (e.g., Arts, Music, Athletics, or STEM)
- A gift for Campus Improvements like playground equipment or solar panels
In contrast, unrestricted donations allow the school to use the funds wherever they are needed most— helping cover essential daily operations and respond to opportunities as they arise.
To make a Restricted donation, click below and select “Restricted” from the drop-down list provided.
Thank You for Your Support
Your generosity is vital. With your help, Maharishi School continues to grow as a center of academic excellence and Consciousness-Based Education. Thank you for making a lasting impact.
The Development Office would like to thank our donors for the support you give.
For questions or more information, please contact our Development Office at 641-472-9400 x 5070 or development@maharishischool.org
Maharishi School is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization # 42-1315493. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. No goods or services were provided by Maharishi School in return for this contribution.
If you prefer to mail a donation, please send to:
Maharishi School
c/o Donations
804 Dr. Robert Keith Wallace Drive
Fairfield, IA 52556
Who is giving?
Support comes from parents, alumni, faculty, staff, grandparents, board members, volunteers, friends, local businesses, and charitable foundations. Every contribution—large or small—strengthens our community.
Who Benefits?
The students benefit first and foremost. Their lives are enriched through greater access to education, activities, and resources. Families benefit by seeing their children grow into thoughtful, capable leaders. Donors benefit as well—whether through tax advantages, by modeling generosity for the next generation, or by simply experiencing the joy of giving.
Why Fundraising is so Important
At Maharishi School, tuition covers only part of the cost to educate each student. Your tax-deductible donation bridges this gap and ensures we can continue offering an exceptional education while keeping it accessible to more families.
How to Make a Contribution
You can give online using a credit card by clicking here, or by mailing a check to:
Maharishi School Development Office
804 Dr. Robert Keith Wallace Dr.
Fairfield, IA 52556
We accept all major credit cards.
Where Does My Donation Go?
Your gift helps cover essential needs like teacher salaries, classroom materials, new programs, and all other operational costs through our Annual Fund. You can also give to the Scholarship Fund to support students who need financial support or choose a Restricted Gift for a specific program or project that’s important to you.
To give to the Annual Fund, [click here] and select General Donation.
To support the Scholarship Fund, [click here] and select Scholarship Fund.
To make a Restricted Gift, [click here] and select Restricted.
Other Giving Options
In-Kind Donations: We gratefully accept goods or services for special projects. Contact Trish Fenton at tfenton@maharishischool.org to discuss.
Endowment Fund: Gifts to the Endowment Fund support Maharishi School long into the future. The principal is invested, and only a portion of the income is used annually—for scholarships, faculty support, and future expansion.
Gifts of Securities & Legacy Giving: Appreciated securities can be donated for significant tax advantages. You may also include Maharishi School in your estate plans—through a bequest, insurance policy, real estate, or other legacy gift.
For more information, contact the Development Office at (641) 472-9400.
lbordow@maharishischool.org
Call Laura Bordow:
641.472.9400 ext.5070