As the Performing Arts Department’s Ragtime filled Centennial Hall and the Ford’s Cavalry robotics team won the state competition, Haverford found success. This success, however, shared a common source—one most students never see.
As Head of School, one of Mr. Casertano’s primary responsibilities is fundraising, so programs like theatre and robotics don’t have to worry about tight budget constraints. Multiple times a year, he and members of the development office as well as key alumni, travel to fundraise.
“[The team and I] travel to about ten different cities a year to further relationships and update them on campus news,” Mr. Casertano said. “We maximize exposure by going to cities with high concentrations of alums: New York, Boston, and Palm Beach every year; LA and San Francisco every other year; and others like Chicago, Dallas, or Atlanta every third year.”
Most students are unaware of how much of Mr. Casertano’s role is devoted to fundraising and outreach. He is able to devote his time to these matters largely because Assistant Head of School, Mr. Mark Thorburn, in large part manages the day to day operations of Haverford, thereby freeing up Mr. Casertano’s schedule so he can meet with Alumni, families, and donors.
Furthermore, fewer students understand the necessity of Mr. Casertano’s travels, as tuition is insufficient to fully cover educational costs.
“It costs more for us to educate each student at Haverford every year than tuition provides. There’s a gap there, and we fill that gap mainly through annual giving,” Mr. Casertano said. “So when a family or an individual gives toward annual giving, we use that money right away to pay our teachers, to fund programs or equipment.”
That kind of flexibility is no accident.
“Last year we got a new projector and screen for Centennial Hall, and the board asked me to give them some quotes and find the best price, but they allowed us to get it, ” Performing Arts Department Chair Mr. Darren Hengst said. “I can’t remember the last time I was asked to reduce the theatre budget, but I think it was around the pandemic. But these days, [the school] is very generous to us.”
Mr. Casertano’s travels not only aid the theatre program but also help fund robotics and other programs’ expenses.
“[The school provides] the budget to send teams to travel for competition. This year we traveled to Massachusetts, Virginia, and New Jersey,” Robotics Captain and sixth former Jack Ford said. “The main budgeting issues are usually for parts—like sensors, metal, or screws. VEX Robotics is an expensive league since you have to buy their materials. So if there are constraints, it’s usually about parts rather than travel. Overall, though, robotics is pretty well funded, and we’re able to make it work.”
To support various programs, Haverford also relies on additional sources of funding beyond donations.
“Our funding comes from four sources: tuition, donations, endowment, and auxiliary income (rentals). Every year, we raise about $10 million to support education,” Mr. Casertano said. “That’s roughly $10,000 per student that we wouldn’t have otherwise.”
“For me, it’s about earning trust so that when the time comes to ask for support, it’s built on a strong relationship. But that takes time.”
Head of School Mr. Tyler Casertano
The endowment—approximately $109.2 million according to haverford.org—is designed to sustain the school in the long-term, with only a small percentage used each year. Such funding can come from two kinds of endowment gifts: restricted and unrestricted.
“Every year, [unrestricted endowment gifts] get released into the school in a way that we can use broadly, for any purpose we deem necessary,” Mr. Casertano said. “Restricted endowments are money that folks have given for a very specific purpose—it could be financial aid, teacher salaries, or a specific program—and we do have to honor the terms of those gifts.”
In order to keep consistent and stable donations coming to Haverford, Mr. Casertano must maintain relationships with alumni and donors.
“We understand that relationships and philanthropy go hand in hand. Sometimes when I travel, I ask someone to support Haverford in a specific way. Other times, I’m just updating them on what’s happening—robotics championships, performances, the overall health of the school—and learning from them what mattered to them, what they enjoyed, what they might have changed,” Mr. Casertano said. “For me, it’s about earning trust so that when the time comes to ask for support, it’s built on a strong relationship. But that takes time.”
Without donations, 450 Lancaster Avenue would not be the same place where students learn, thrive, and succeed every year.
“If we don’t meet our annual giving goals, there would be real impacts in both the short and long term. Haverford exists through the generosity and support of the community—financially, through philanthropy, and also through the sacrifices of parents and especially faculty, who could have far more lucrative careers outside of these spaces, but choose to make the sacrifices for this career because they believe in their work,” Mr. Casertano said. “It truly is a giving place; it exists because of the generosity of others.”
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