Every year, donations from parents and friends of St. Mary's Catholic School help students take advantage of all that St. Mary's Catholic School has to offer. The St. Mary's Catholic School Fund is our annual appeal for contributions from alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, parents, staff, and friends of St. Mary's Catholic School to help defray the costs of a Catholic education that tuition revenue alone does not cover. These funds will support all areas of St. Mary's Catholic School, including religious activities, curricular enhancements, technology upgrades, campus improvements, and tuition assistance. Please join us and help us reach 100% participation from the entire school community! Every gift counts.
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Questions and Answers about the St. Mary's Catholic School Fund:
Q: Is 100% parent and community participation that important?
A: YES! 100% participation is as important as meeting our overall financial goal. Before outside funding sources, such as foundations, will consider donating their dollars, they want to know that St. Mary's Catholic School families are supporters as well. Participation in the St. Mary's Catholic School Fund is extremely important.
For that reason, EVERY GIFT COUNTS!
Q: Why not run the school like a business and charge the full cost for the services provided rather than asking for gifts? Why doesn't St. Mary's Catholic School just raise tuition to cover the additional expenses?
A: A school, whose primary mission is to provide children with a good education, cannot be compared to a business, whose primary mission is to make money. By their very nature, excellent schools are labor-intensive and people-oriented. Moreover, the costs of faculty salaries and benefits and building/maintenance, to a large degree, drive the cost of independent school education. In order to offer competitive salaries to faculty and staff and to provide desirable programs, St. Mary's Catholic School has to do the following:
We do not want the expense of tuition to prohibit qualified students from attending our school. It is especially important that tuition remain as affordable as possible in order to serve all families choosing a Catholic education.
Q: I have no idea how much to contribute – what is the suggested donation level?
A: The difference between the cost of education and tuition charged is $2,000 per student. It is our hope that all stakeholders in the success of St. Mary's Catholic School prayerfully discern a meaningful amount to donate.
We hope that St. Mary's Catholic School families will choose to make their children's school their philanthropic priority.
Q: I want to make a sizeable contribution. Is it possible to spread it out over time?
A: To make a donation that spreads over several months, we ask that you fill out the St. Mary's Catholic School Fund Commitment Form, including on it the total amount you wish to donate for this year and the increments in which you wish to make your donation. Payment options include check, money order or cash. We can also send reminders at intervals that work best for you.
Q: Will I receive a tax benefit from my donation?
A: Yes. St. Mary's Catholic School Catholic School is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation under the laws of the United States. No goods or services will be received in exchange for your gift, so it will be tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Written recognition of your gift will be provided for tax purposes. (Note that the amount donated is tax-deductible in the year in which it is deposited by St. Mary's Catholic School.)
Q: Is there anything I can do to encourage my employer to contribute to the school?
A: Yes. Many employers offer Matching Gift programs. In some cases, gifts from spouses, directors, and retired employees will be matched as well. Please take the time to determine whether your employer offers such a program – it could serve to double your donation! Do not hesitate to ask the school for whatever documentation you might need in order to facilitate a matching gift.
Q: Is it possible to make a memorial or “in honor of” gift?
A: Memorial gifts – gifts in memory of someone you loved or admired – are a particularly meaningful way to contribute to the St. Mary's Catholic School Fund. “In honor of” gifts for all occasions (a student's birthday or parents' anniversary, for example) are also lasting tributes.
Q: What other options are available for supporting the school?
A: The general rule in the not for profit world is that everyone with an interest in the organization should contribute at least one of the so-called "Three T's" – Time, Talent or Treasure. Undoubtedly, each of us can contribute to the school in one or more of these areas, each of which is essential to the success of the school. However, please note that it is still extremely important that we have 100% participation in the St. Mary's Catholic School Fund.
Some other ways to help St. Mary's Catholic School include:
THANK YOU!
If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the St. Mary's Catholic School Development Office - Director of Development, Renee Morales at (254) 778-8141.
Click Here to Support St. Mary's Catholic School Today!