Support Poly through the areas and funds that interest you most

As a dynamic school, Poly has many needs and funding initiatives that allow you to give according to your personal interests and objectives. To begin a conversation or learn more about these options, contact Director of Individual Giving Cameron Pinckney at 626-396-6341.

Options for Giving

Gifts of cash, check or credit card

A majority of the gifts made to Poly come in the form of cash, checks, credit cards, or wire transfers.  

To give by mail, download our gift form and send it with your contribution. Checks should be made payable to “Polytechnic School” and sent to:

Polytechnic School
Attention: Advancement Office
1030 E. California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106

For payments via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, please visit give online or call Peter Johnston, Director of Advancement Services, at 626-396-6332.

To make a donation via cash wire transfer, please call 626-396-6332.


Gifts of Securities

Making a gift of appreciated stock to Polytechnic School may offer two-fold tax savings by circumventing the tax due on the capital gain and providing an income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock at the time of the gift.

Please notify your bank or broker that you are making a gift of securities to Poly and provide them with our wiring instructions. Your bank or broker will need to contact Peter Johnston, Director of Advancement Services, at 626-396-6332, with details of the gift as this information does not transmit through the DTC wiring system.


Cryptocurrency

You can now support Polytechnic School by donating cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. We currently accept 23 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USDC). 
Donate Cryptocurrency Here


Mutual fund shares

Please contact Peter Johnston at 626-396-6332, with information about your mutual fund shares. The procedure for transferring shares is established by the mutual fund company and the Poly Advancement Office will be able to assist you.


Vehicle Donations

When you donate a car, truck, boat, RV, or other vehicle to Polytechnic School, you become a key partner in supporting Polytechnic School’s programs, faculty and staff, and resources for all students. Through our partnership with Charitable Adult Rides and Services (CARS), the process of making a charitable vehicle donation is quick and easy.

Vehicle Donation Process
Donate your car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat to Polytechnic School by completing this simple form. CARS will reach out to you to arrange the free pick-up of your vehicle donation, which typically can be arranged within 24-72 hours. You will receive an initial car donation receipt upon pick-up, and then CARS will work to turn your car into cash to support Poly. Once your vehicle is sold, CARS will provide you with any additional tax forms for your deduction. If you have any questions, donor support representatives are available seven days a week to assist you.

Get Started
Step 1: Complete the Online Form or call 1-855-500-7433 to get started.
Step 2: CARS will arrange for easy pick-up  and free towing of the vehicle.
Step 3: You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.
Step 4: Every donation will make a positive impact at Poly. We appreciate your support!


Gifts of other assets

Gifts to Polytechnic School can come in the form of other assets as well. For example, you may wish to consider gifts of closely held stock, tangible personal property if its use is related to Poly’s educational purpose, or real estate. Please contact Peter Johnston at 626-396-6332 about donating your assets.


Corporate matching gifts

Many corporations have matching gift programs for secondary schools. Donors should contact their company’s human resources office to inquire about matching gift opportunities. Corporate matching gifts apply toward donor club levels at Poly.

Areas of Giving

List of 6 items.

  • The Poly Fund

    The Poly Fund is the first and foremost component of our fundraising efforts. Gifts to the Poly Fund account for approximately 10 percent of the operating budget and are spent in the fiscal year (July 1-June 30). By giving back through the Poly Fund, you help sustain competitive faculty and staff salaries, athletic programs, financial aid, computer labs and technology, and much, much more.
  • The Poly Endowment

    Each year, far-sighted donors support the Poly endowment to ensure that the school remains strong for today and for generations to come. Endowment gifts advance specific areas of the school, such as financial aid or faculty salaries; others support the school at large. Together, endowed funds supply roughly 10 percent of Poly’s budget every year. Those who contribute to Poly’s endowment can take great pride in knowing that their gifts are benefitting the school now and well into the future.

    Why do we need endowment?
    The endowment supports people — Endowment income permits the school to secure funds for faculty salaries, faculty professional growth, and student financial aid. Endowment helps to preserve a low student-to-faculty ratio and to maintain economic diversity within the student body.

    The endowment supports program and innovation — By underwriting the development of new and expanding courses and by keeping traditional curricula up to date, endowment keeps Poly creative and well-rounded.

    The endowment supports opportunity — During every school year, unexpected educational opportunities emerge. They may be new teaching materials or off-campus experiential endeavors. A robust endowment gives the school flexibility to take advantage of those options even though they are not in the operating budget.
  • Gifts to support specific programs (directed giving)

    Unlike gifts to the endowment, directed (or restricted) gifts are spent immediately or over a period of a few years for a specific purpose designated by the donor. Directed gifts can support financial aid, a particular academic or athletic program, technology, etc.
  • Gifts to support campus and facilities (capital projects)

    While a portion of Poly Fund gifts are spent every year toward the maintenance and upkeep of existing facilities, there are times when the board of trustees, guided by a thoughtful long-range planning process, recommends that the school build upon and improve its physical plant and infrastructure. These improvements are funded through periodic capital campaigns during which alumni, parents, and friends of the school are invited to make contributions to the campus itself. In addition, modest-sized renovation projects may be funded with outright support.
  • Financial and estate planning

    Our planned giving program allows donors to make significant gifts to Poly while also achieving their financial or estate planning goals.
  • Gifts in honor and memory

    Gifts to Poly can be made in honor or in memory of an individual, such as a classmate, former teacher or coach, or other loved one. Gifts in honor recognize an individual on the occasion of a birthday, wedding, or other important milestone. Gifts in memory celebrate the life of someone who has passed away. When we receive such gifts, we will contact the honoree or their family to inform them of the gift. Additionally, tribute gifts will be specially noted in the annual Report of Giving. If you would like to donate to Poly in honor or in memory of someone, please include a note with your mailed donation or in the comments on the online giving form. These gifts support Poly’s operating budget unless they are designated for a specific purpose. Named endowment funds, such as scholarships, can be established for a minimum contribution of $100,000.