Our Successful Campaign
Dear NPS Community,
I am thrilled to announce the successful completion of The Gift of Play campaign. With thanks to the NPS community for its inspiring generosity, we exceeded the $4.5 million fundraising goal! All told, The Gift of Play is the biggest campaign in school history; it enabled NPS to build a dynamic new playground, bolster our Annual Giving program in support of the school’s operational needs, and strengthen our standing as a leader in early childhood and elementary education.
I want to extend a tremendous amount of gratitude to the campaign’s co-chairs: Kristin and Suni Thakor, and Maisie and Austin Branson. The Thakors and Bransons began working on the campaign in June 2023, when they agreed to serve as The Gift of Play’s leaders. From that day forward, they served selflessly and joyfully on behalf of NPS until the campaign’s conclusion at the end of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Their enthusiasm, love of NPS, and commitment to the campaign led the school to the finish line. Thank you, Thakors and Bransons!
Going back many years, the NPS Board of Trustees created the vision for both the playground and campaign. The NPS Strategic Plan stated goals to “enhance and modify spaces and facilities, including outdoor, to augment teaching and learning” and to “conduct a capital campaign for institutional priorities, including facilities improvements to strengthen the program and the NPS student experience.” Thank you to previous NPS Board Chairs Michael Toner and Kevin Fromer, who were instrumental during the Strategic Planning process, which encompassed both of their tenures.
In June 2023, under the leadership of NPS Board Chair Nicole Ruman Skinner, the Board voted to approve a three-year comprehensive campaign and playground project. Scott Herndon then served as Board Chair during the beginning of The Gift of Play, when the NPS Board of Trustees generated momentum by donating and pledging $1 million dollars prior to the campaign’s launch in November 2023. The campaign reached its successful completion under current NPS Board Chair Jenny Tiedeman. We are grateful to those Board leaders and to all former and current Trustees for their vision, enthusiasm, generosity, and strong support.
In addition to stellar leadership from the NPS Board of Trustees and The Gift of Play co-chairs, Director of Development Mary Marra worked tirelessly on the campaign from beginning to end. “Fun” may not be the first word that comes to mind when people think of campaigns and construction projects; however, Ms. Marra created fun—for me, the Co-Chairs, and the NPS community. As she does in her day-to-day at the school, when it came to The Gift of Play, Ms. Marra made it happen—and for that, we are deeply grateful.
I also want to highlight Director of Enrollment and Marketing Robin Baker, who was responsible for designing and coordinating our Gift of Play material—the wonderful campaign video, colorful brochure, and thorough and informative website messaging. Moreover, we extend gratitude to Senior Development Associate Lisa Johnson and Database Administrator and Senior Communications Associate Stephanie Ruggles, who made significant contributions and were key members of our Gift of Play team.
For three years, various NPS constituencies stepped up big-time: Trustees, current parents, alumni parents, alumni, faculty, staff, grandparents, and friends of NPS. All in all, there were more than 700 donors to The Gift of Play, and we are grateful to each and every one for turning a dream into a reality. Their generosity has benefitted current NPS students, families, faculty, and staff, and the school will reap dividends from the campaign for many years to come.
It is delightful to share this news during our first week of the school year, the 58th in NPS history. During arrival yesterday, a new parent said, “You have an amazing school.” That statement was well-received and gratifying to hear; I wholeheartedly agree, and the NPS community coming together to support The Gift of Play is a shining example of our amazing school.
Congratulations—and thank you, NPS!
Malcolm Lester
Head of School
