The mission of Sterling Montessori is to create a diverse educational community, grounded in the Montessori philosophy and teaching practices, that fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in its students. We strive to empower each student to become life-long learners who respect themselves, others and their environment.
Giving
"This is the treasure we need today - helping the child become independent of us and make his way by himself, receiving in return his gifts of hope and light." - Dr. Maria Montessori
We encourage recurring donations, either monthly, quarterly, or yearly. If any any point our donors need to cancel recurring donations, simply fill out this form and our development office will send a confirmation. Any support helps and we sincerely appreciate all donations. Thank you.
Ways You Can Give
Sterling offers a variety of options for charitable giving depending on your personal circumstances. All gifts - no matter how large or small - are highly valued and appreciated! If needed, we encourage you to consult with your financial advisors to determine which option would serve you best. See below for Painless Fundraising ideas!
GIFTS OF STOCK - NEW!
Offered through Sterling's Charles Schwab Investing with our account being listed under the Laura Holland Uzzell Foundation with account number 6364-0535.
If you wish to donate stock, following are ways to donate:
Clients may complete the attached form when requesting a transfer of positions from a Schwab account to a charity account within Schwab.
-OR-
Clients can also send their own LOA (Line of Accounting) with the following information:
Schwab account registration, account name and account number containing the securities and/or cash to be gifted.
Security name, symbol, and exact total number of shares (including specific tax lots if requested), or if cash, the exact amount (all securities gifts must be made in shares, not dollars).
Name and address of the charity, along with a contact name and telephone number for the charitable organization or the name and address of the individual receiving the gift: Laura Holland Uzzell Foundation d/b/a Sterling Montessori Academy & Charter School, 202 Treybrooke Drive, Morrisville, NC 27650; 919-462.8889; Betty Warren (Chief Financial Officer)
Client signature and date.
Full Trading Authority (FTA), Full Power of Attorney (FPOA), Limited Trading Authority (LTA), and Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) are not authorized to sign for transfer of securities.
Whether the client wants their identity made known to the charity/ recipient.
The client may provide instructions to make an anonymous delivery for Depository Trust Company (DTC) transfers only.
The name and account number at the contra firm, DTC number, and any special handling instructions (not all firms can hold mutual funds--please confirm asset acceptability and delivery instructions with the receiving firm).
Ifordering out physical certificates (as is the case with all restricted stock gifts): The Social Security Number and/or Taxpayer ID of the gifted party or charitable organization and a physical delivery address.
Clients may return the LOA via mail, fax, or secure messaging, and there is no transfer fee for charitable gifts.
Any further questions, please reach out to Schwab's Asset Transfer Services at 877-284-9830.
**If you opt to complete a stock transfer, please email our Development Office as well, for tracking purposes**
Gifts of Cash/Credit
All levels of donations are deeply valued and every cent counts! On the Donation Form, look for ways to continue the gift of giving by becoming a SUSTAINER, donating monthly to our Treasure Chest – even $5/month will help!
To avoid credit card fees, checks are also welcomed! Checks should be made out to Sterling Montessori Academy & Charter School with "Annual Fund" in the memo. Feel free to drop checks off at the front office, or mail to Sterling, ATTN: Development.
Annual Pledges
You may choose to pledge an amount to our Treasure Chest for the fiscal year, which runs July 1 – June 30 and all Pledges made before November 30 enable the LHU Board to establish the budget for the following academic year.
Business Matching
Please check with your employer to see if they offer matching gifts to your personal charitable organizations – some even match 100%! We know there are very generous companies throughout the Triangle and many times, it’s just an ask away.
Painless Fundraisers
At the bottom of the page are quick and easy ways for Sterling to earn donations through your every day activities. Please sign up and participate if you can!
With humbled grace, courtesy and immense gratitude, we thank you for your consideration in all ways of giving.
In 2020 we introduced Sterling’s first fundraising appeal, the Annual Treasure Chest Fund. We are so very grateful to all donations to this past year and we invite you to read our 2024/25 Annual Report that celebrates the giving community!
HELP US REFILL OUR TREASURE CHEST!
Each year Faculty, Administration and the Board, along with feedback from our community, will define the specifics of the development goals that Sterling will work towards during that year. Development monies fund everything from community events with the PFSA, to staff Professional Development, to larger capital projects, like our Outdoor Learning Environments.
The Treasure Chest Giving Levels
$1000+
PLATINUM PATRON
$500
DIAMOND PATRON
$100
EMERALD PATRON
$50
GOLD PATRON
$25
RUBY PATRON
$23.23
ALUMNI JEWELS
* EVERY LEVEL AMOUNT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO REACHING OUR GOALS! All donations are tax-deductible contributions, to the extent allowed by the law, to Laura Holland Uzzell Foundation, d/b/a Sterling Montessori Academy and Charter School, with tax ID #56-1899973.
Why Donate?
Charter Schools are a special case. There is a substantial funding gap between charter schools and public schools. According to the Center for Education Reform, charter schools are funded nationwide on average at 64% of their district counterpart. The largest reason for this shortfall is that charter schools do not receive capital funding from the states. While Sterling is fortunate to own and operate the buildings that make up the campus, most of the campus is 20 years old, which increasingly requires significant capital maintenance that is not funded. For more detailed information, please read A Case for Support.
DEVELOPMENT BUCKET
DESCRIPTION/EXAMPLES
Large/Small Projects & Capital Improvements
Large, expensive projects that could be multi-year fundraising. May be matched by grants and corporate partnership. Examples include replacing playground(s) equipment, running track, electronic doors and locks. Can also include plumbing, electrical, landscaping and any capital improvements not covered by Charter funding. Examples include: awnings, land-grading for drainage.
Smaller improvements/needs for the school community. Examples include a Sensory Garden for EC, Shade Sails for the field, larger furniture purchases.
Education
Classroom materials needed for Sterling education; any additional Professional Development not covered in current budget and any services/programs needed.
Sterling Community
Hospitality, Teacher Appreciation, Community Events, Graduation and other PFSA Events
Donations to Wider Community
Sterling will give a monetary donation back to a community non-profit and each level (CH, EL, MS) participates in their own way. Each year, Sterling will work with one community organization. In the spring, our student council would vote on the recipient service organization for the next school year.
Our 2023/24 Community Partners:
"The aim of such an education indicates the desire to contribute to the good of all, to share in this cosmic goodness." - Dr. Maria Montessori
Part of our Montessori directive is to also give back. Through our collections, we have earmarked 10% of proceeds each year to give back to the larger community through our community partners: The Carying Place, The Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, whose land Sterling shares, and we would like to develop a partnership with Instituto Nueva Escuela in Puerto Rico, as a sister-Montessori-program.
