Dear Friends:

Austin International School (AIS) is a unique and magnificent school! As partners in its success we share a commitment not only to maintain the integrity of the intellectually stimulating and culturally diverse environment but also to cultivate it! We have made a conscious choice to create a new brand of future for our children, for future students and for our community as a whole. To nurture the future of AIS is to nurture the future of our children. Your support is key to our success! We began the 2007-2008 school year by welcoming many new families and teachers to AIS and by reuniting with returning friends. To date, this year we have 144 students enrolled, an impressive growth of over 23% from last year. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done to help AIS reach its full potential. Like most private schools in the United States, AIS cannot survive on tuition and fees alone—we must seek donations to supplement that income.

Just as we all believe strongly in the benefits of a multilingual education, we must make a strong commitment to ensure that education is sustained: paying tuition without an additional contribution is not an option. For this reason, we need the help of each family to achieve the following goals: (1) raise enough money to supplement the school’s other sources of income so that there is no budget shortfall for the current year and (2) limit the annual increase in tuition in order to keep AIS affordable for all qualified students.

This is the Annual Fund Campaign's third year.  In each of the first two years, thanks to the extremely generous support of the AIS community, the Annual Fund Campaign has been a huge success, achieving 100% participation each year from faculty, staff, and parents (as well as generous contributions from grandparents and friends).  Last year the Annual Fund Campaign raised well over $40, 000 for AIS.   It is our hope that a successful Fall Campaign will allow us to spend the remainder of the year pursuing additional sources of revenue (foundation grants, corporate donations and the like). As we look to these outside donors for funding, it is important that we demonstrate our own commitment to the school by achieving 100% participation from the AIS community in the Annual Fund Campaign.

Our goal this fall is to raise $50,000. Though challenging, this goal is attainable if we all make an effort to participate at the most generous level possible for each of us. The following contribution levels are available for the 2007-2008 Annual Fund Campaign:

• $1 - $249             Passport Circle
• $250 - $499         International Circle
• $500 - $999         Diplomat Circle
• $1000 - $4999     Consul Circle
• $5000 and up      Ambassador Circle

Contributions and corresponding gift levels will be recognized in AIS's Annual Report at the end of the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year. (If you would like your gift to remain anonymous in published materials, please see the Donation Form for details.) Please complete the enclosed donation form and return it, along with your check payable to AIS-APE by Friday, November 9, 2007. Completed forms and checks can be placed in the APE box at the school or mailed to the following address: Austin International School, 12001 Oak Knoll Drive, Austin, TX 78759, Attn: Eric Thuau---Annual Fund.

We thank you in advance for your efforts and generosity. Without your support, continuing improvements to AIS will not be possible. The Annual Fund Fact Sheet included with this letter should answer many of your questions. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact any member of the Annual Fund Campaign Committee.

Sincerely,

2007-2008 Annual Fund Campaign Committee