The International School of Indiana (ISI) received a $50,000 gift from an anonymous donor that will be distributed to faculty and staff as a year-end bonus for their outstanding efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation has made it possible for ISI to give each full-time employee a bonus of $500.

“This gift is especially meaningful in a year that has included collective sacrifices and extraordinary efforts,” said Elizabeth Head, head of school at ISI. “Our faculty and staff have worked very hard this year to support our school and our students during the global pandemic, and we are appreciative to have received this donation that gives back to our entire team.”

School leaders announced the gift to faculty and staff on Dec. 18 at the last faculty meeting of the school year. Due to COVID-19, ISI has seen an increase in operating costs, less international students due to a lack of global mobility and stretched budgets to maintain their commitment to the previously published 2020-2021 tuition rates. These changes caused ISI to freeze salaries and forced a suspension of all retirement distributions during the summer months.

“While no one likes the circumstances created by this pandemic, there is certainly a sense of pride in how ISI has met the moment and continued to support students and their families,” said vice president of development and external relations at ISI, Kristen Kaiser, who worked with the donor to facilitate the gift. “I think their gift is intended to inspire others.”

Kaiser said the donor told her, “People save for a rainy day. Well, this is the rainy day. We are in the midst of a storm, and those who have the ability to give and to help others should.”