We invite you to join us as underwriters of the 2006 Brearley Benefit, Cincotti in Concert – a private jazz concert by Peter Cincotti at Jazz at Lincoln Center – followed by a reception, on May 24th, 2006. Brearley’s own student a cappella group, The B-Naturals, will join Cincotti on stage for part of the performance.

Again this year, Benefit proceeds will be used immediately to increase faculty salaries. Last year’s Benefit permitted the School to offer an extraordinary raise to our teachers, a first step in addressing the critical priorities of rewarding excellent teaching and maintaining the School’s position in an increasingly competitive teacher hiring market. This year we hope to help the School finish the task of returning Brearley to a position among the leaders in independent school teacher pay. Using Benefit proceeds for this purpose achieves faculty salary goals without the need for unsustainable tuition increases – a matter of concern to all of us.

We recognize our Benefit underwriters by fulfilling their request for Benefit tickets with priority seating, and by listing them in the program. There are five underwriter levels: $15,000, $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500. We hope you will be inspired by our purpose to stretch to the highest possible level.

Underwriting contributions secure the financial success of the Benefit. We have worked hard to hold down the cost of the Benefit and are confident that ticket sales will cover those costs, including providing complimentary tickets for faculty and staff and our financial aid families. The money we realize from underwriting will be fully committed to the Benefit purpose: directly supporting an increase in faculty salaries at Brearley.

If you would like to talk with someone about the Benefit, don’t hesitate to call one of us, a member of the committee, or the Brearley Development Office. A form and return envelope are enclosed, should you wish to respond right away. Sharon Stearns in the Development Office, (212)570-8617; sstearns@Brearley.org, is also available to receive immediate contributions. The goal of our Benefit is to help secure teaching excellence at Brearley. Given the importance of our cause, we are eager to exceed past Benefit totals. We are committed to doing the best we can for our teachers. Thank you for considering a leadership role in this effort.

Sincerely,

Margo Blutt  Gayle Kelmenson           Liz Patrick   Rob Petty
        Benefit Co-Chairs                   Underwriting Co-Chairs