When did GO start working with UCDS, and how has this partnership evolved over the years?
GO has proudly partnered with UCDS since 2022 to support the school’s financial stewardship and long-term sustainability. Over time, that partnership has evolved alongside the school’s growth and continued focus on innovative education, strong governance, and mission-driven planning.
In what ways does the GO Team support the organization (work you do)?
GO supports UCDS through professional accounting, tax, audit, and advisory services designed to help leadership turn philosophical priorities into explicit financial choices that the Board can act on. This includes helping the school navigate financial reporting, compliance, operational and strategic planning, and other matters that are important to sustaining a strong independent school environment.
What do you value most about working together?
We value UCDS’s thoughtful leadership, strong sense of mission, and commitment to innovation. Their intentional approach to education, community, and long-term planning makes them a highly collaborative organization to work alongside.
In what ways does the GO Team support/volunteer with the organization?
GO supports the organization through a combination of professional services, community engagement, and philanthropic participation. In alignment with its commitment to mission-driven organizations, GO values opportunities to contribute beyond technical expertise and engage meaningfully with the communities it serves. UCDS’s strong culture of family involvement, volunteerism, and community participation aligns closely with this shared philosophy. The school actively fosters engagement through events, volunteer opportunities, and broader community connection, creating multiple avenues for partnership. GO participates in these efforts by attending and supporting key community and fundraising events, including the annual auction, and by contributing through sponsorships and donations. This involvement reflects a broader commitment to supporting UCDS’s mission both financially and through active engagement in its community.
How do your missions and values align?
UCDS emphasizes a culture of inquiry, student voice, collaboration, and learning by design, while also maintaining a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. GO similarly values strong relationships, thoughtful problem-solving, and helping organizations build lasting strength through sound financial stewardship and clear guidance. UCDS also places meaningful emphasis on accessibility and opportunity through tuition assistance and endowment support, which reflects a mission-centered approach to long-term sustainability.
What kinds of accounting and tax challenges do independent schools like UCDS typically face?
Independent schools often face a range of accounting and tax complexities, including tuition and financial aid accounting, donor-restricted contributions, endowment reporting, functional expense allocations, capital project planning, and maintaining appropriate internal controls over a wide range of revenue streams. They may also need to navigate issues such as payroll and employee benefits, state and local tax compliance, unrelated business income considerations, and governance-related financial transparency. For schools with active fundraising programs and endowments, careful tracking of restricted gifts and board-designated resources is especially important.
Promoting the organization’s mission & ways to support
Who are the people UCDS supports?
UCDS serves children and families through its educational programs, while also extending its impact to educators through the UCDS Institute and UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS is an educational hub for both children and adults, reflecting a broader commitment to developing learners and teachers alike.
What are the key ways UCDS supports its community?
UCDS supports its community through design-led, inquiry-based education, small student-teacher ratios, tailored learning experiences, student voice development, and learning support resources. The school also emphasizes DEIB throughout the student experience and offers financial support to help make the program more accessible to families. UCDS awarded more than $1.9 million in assistance for 2025–26, with 1 out of 7 students receiving support.
What are top goals and priorities for UCDS going into 2026 and beyond?
Based on its published strategic priorities and giving materials, UCDS’s key priorities include strengthening affordability and access, deepening diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation, and investing in facilities and campus development that support its long-term educational mission. The school also continues to invest in teacher development and educational leadership through its Institute and graduate programs.
How can people best support those goals and the organization overall?
UCDS highlights charitable giving, endowment support, volunteerism, and community engagement as meaningful ways to support the school. Gifts help sustain innovative programming, support a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, expand access through tuition assistance, and invest in teacher professional development and the school’s long-term future.
