OUR MISSION
To inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service through cultivating each student's God-given potential.
Dear Porter-Gaud Community,
At Porter-Gaud, our mission is to inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service by nurturing each student’s God-given potential. This mission comes to life every day because of your generosity, care, and commitment to our community.
This past year was extraordinary—more than 949 donors contributed over $7.4 million to enrich programs, expand opportunities, and ensure every Cyclone has the chance to thrive. Your support provides more than resources; it creates experiences that allow our teachers to inspire, our students to flourish, and our community to grow stronger together.
Your generosity is a lasting investment in our students and their future, and we are deeply grateful for the difference you continue to make at Porter-Gaud.
With deep appreciation,
D. DuBose Egleston Jr. ’93, Head of School
James T.H. Buxton ’91, Chair, Board of Trustees
Donor Support Driving Long-Term Stability
Thanks to the generous support of our community, Porter-Gaud has made significant progress in reducing reliance on tuition. Over the past several years, tuition revenue as a percentage of our budget has steadily decreased. This important shift is the direct result of donor contributions.
These gifts sustain the day-to-day operations of the school and provide the resources that enrich the educational experience for every student. As reflected throughout this report, philanthropy has a real and lasting impact on every aspect of school life—from academic excellence to extracurricular achievement.
Gifts to the Porter-Gaud endowment provide lasting support that ensures the school’s strength and stability for generations to come. Endowment funds create a permanent source of income that sustains excellence in teaching, scholarships, programs, and facilities—helping the school uphold its mission without overreliance on tuition or annual giving. Each contribution strengthens the foundation on which future students and faculty will thrive, preserving the values, traditions, and opportunities that make a Porter-Gaud education exceptional.
Unrestricted Giving, Unlimited Impact
The Cyclone Fund represents the collective strength of the Porter-Gaud community. Each gift—whether large or small—comes together to create meaningful opportunities and sustain the excellence of the Porter-Gaud experience.
This year’s record-breaking unrestricted support reflects more than generosity; it reflects belief in our mission and a deep commitment to the stewardship and future of our school. Unrestricted giving is the backbone of the Cyclone Fund, empowering us to respond immediately to emerging needs while supporting the areas of Porter-Gaud that you care about most.
Through the arts, athletics, academic support, financial aid, and faculty development, you have helped Porter-Gaud remain both resilient in meeting today’s needs and ambitious in shaping tomorrow’s possibilities.
Thank you for making a lasting difference. We are deeply grateful for the role you play in helping us grow, thrive, and lead in education.
SAVE THE DATE
Together in All Things: Our Campaign for Porter-Gaud
Porter-Gaud School has traveled a remarkable road over more than 150 years. From modest beginnings, PG has risen to become the preeminent independent school in our region, and now we set our sights on leading in the nation. To do so, we need to further invest in what lies at the heart of Porter-Gaud’s excellence: our students, our teachers, the place where they come together, and the values that guide us all.
Inspired by this vision, we are embarking on a five-year fundraising campaign to expand the campus infrastructure and grow our endowment. The investments we make today will have an immediate positive impact on the life of each student and strengthen our school for future generations.
Investing in Our Students: The Transformational Learning Fund: $4 Million Endowment
We aspire to create opportunities and experiences beyond the core curriculum that will equip our students to make important contributions to our community and beyond.
Investing in Our Faculty: The Faculty Excellence Fund: $5 Million Endowment
We must continue to invest in our exceptional faculty through recruitment, development, and retention.
Investing in Our Campus: The Student Center: $20 Million
A new Student Center will provide innovative teaching, learning, and performing spaces while also fostering social connections and a sense of belonging for every student.
Investing in Operational Excellence: The Cyclone Fund: $6 Million
The Cyclone Fund is the foundation of philanthropy at Porter-Gaud, and it empowers us to uphold our commitment to excellence as we grow.
Investing in Our Values: St. Timothy’s Chapel: $8 Million
This space will serve as the physical heart of our community and as the spiritual home for an Episcopal school.
Leadership commitments to Together In All Things are underway. To learn more, please contact Craig Stewart, Director of Advancement at cstewart@portergaud.edu
St. Timothy's Chapel Celebration
Thank you to everyone who joined us on August 8, 2025 for the Chapel Topping Out celebration. It was a truly special moment in Porter-Gaud’s history as we raised the tallest section of the new St. Timothy’s Chapel. We are especially grateful to the generous donors whose support has made this chapel possible and who are helping us create a sacred space for generations to come. We were honored to share this milestone with our community, giving each of you the opportunity to sign the truss and leave your mark on this lasting legacy. We invite you to enjoy photos and a time-lapse video capturing the truss being raised into place.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day 2025
On Friday, February 7, Porter-Gaud’s Lower School was filled with joy and excitement as we welcomed more than 500 grandparents and special guests to campus for Grandparents and Special Friends Day.
Our students were beaming with pride as they shared their talents through musical performances from every grade and showcased their creativity with vibrant displays of student artwork throughout the halls. The afternoon provided a special opportunity for loved ones to see firsthand the energy, curiosity, and joy that fill our classrooms each day.
We are deeply grateful to all who joined us to celebrate this beloved tradition. It was a wonderful day of connection, community, and Cyclone pride—truly, a great day to be a Cyclone!
Leadership & Loyalty Donor Celebration
On February 13, 2025, Porter-Gaud hosted the annual Leadership & Loyalty Oyster Roast, an event dedicated to celebrating our most loyal and generous supporters. This special evening honors those who have given for 10 or more consecutive years, donors contributing at the $1,867 level and above, and members of the Watch Tower Society for planned giving. Guests enjoyed an evening of fellowship, gratitude, and celebration under the lights, recognizing the impact of their continued generosity. Your unwavering support helps us build a lasting legacy of excellence for generations to come. We look forward to gathering again for this year’s Oyster Roast on November 20, 2025.
Once a Cyclone, Always a Cyclone: Alumni Spirit Shines All Year Long
It’s been an incredible year for Porter-Gaud alumni, filled with meaningful connections and memorable celebrations. From the annual Alumni Parent Party and Alumni Holiday Party as well as the always-popular Alumni Association Golf Classic to Reunion Weekend featuring the Alumni Awards Reception, launch of the Black Excellence Alumni Network, and the lively All-Alumni Party on the Green, our graduates showed up in full force to celebrate their shared memories and enduring Cyclone spirit. Many classes hosted their own special gatherings, including the Class of 2005’s 20-year reunion celebration pictured here—a testament to the strong bonds that continue long after graduation.
We are deeply grateful to our alumni for all the ways they continue to support and engage with the school—by visiting campus, giving back to ensure Porter-Gaud’s continued success, and sharing their time and experience with students during Career Day and other student-centered events. Their involvement enriches our community and inspires the next generation. If you are a member of the alumni commuity and you’d like to get involved, visit campus, or share an update, we’d love to hear from you! We are so proud of our alumni and all that you do to carry forward the Porter-Gaud tradition.
Contact Michael Abro, Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, at mabro@portergaud.edu or 843.402.4863.
SAVE THE DATE: Alumni Weekend April 24-26, 2026
Together in Community: Parents Supporting Porter-Gaud
The Porter-Gaud Parent Association (PGPA) plays a vital role in strengthening relationships among parents, faculty, students, and administrators. Through special events, volunteer opportunities, and school-wide initiatives, PGPA helps build a strong sense of community and provides meaningful ways for parents and caregivers to stay connected and engaged. In addition, PGPA raises important funds that directly support school programs. At Porter-Gaud, parent involvement is more than just participation—it is a cornerstone of the vibrant, supportive community we share.
We are also deeply grateful for the dedication of the Parents Guilds at both O’Quinn campuses. Their time, energy, and commitment enrich the lives of our youngest learners and foster a welcoming, connected community for families from the very start of their Porter-Gaud journey.
For more information on how you can volunteer with the Porter-Gaud Parent Association, please visit the website.
Porter-Gaud Advancement Team
The Porter-Gaud Advancement team is an arm of Porter-Gaud School, and their primary focus is fulfilling the fundraising needs of the school. Philanthropy has played a significant role in the development of our campus and the growth of our dynamic student experience. Generous contributions from parents, alumni, grandparents, past parents, and friends who believe in the power of a Porter-Gaud education have helped to create and sustain our unique and vibrant learning community.