Annual Fund

Donate to the Annual Fund by check or credit card - click here

check if your company has a matching gift opportunity - click here

Access the 2010-2011 Annual Report - Click Here

 

Why Your Support is Important

The Annual Fund program is the fundraising priority for St. George and the foundation of the Development program.  Each year, as the name suggests we conduct an Annual Fund Program to support operational needs that are not covered by tuition revenue.  At St. George, full tuition pays for approximately 84% of the actual cost of educating our students.  The Annual Fund program helps bridge the gap between tuition and the true cost to educate each St. George student.

Why don't we charge enough tuition to cover operating costs?

If tuition were increased to cover the actual cost of all programs, many families could not afford to send their children here. Our goal is to continue to make St. George an affordable choice for our families, so we try to keep tuition increases to a minimum. Also, Annual Fund program contributions are 100% tax-deductible; tuition in not.

Why do we have an Annual Fund program?

The Annual Fund program is broad-based, occurs on a regular basis, and connects our school with the widest possible group of donors in our community.  Each member of our school community (Vestry, Board of Directors, faculty/staff, parents, alumni, alumni and past parents, grandparents, church members, friends and vendors) is asked to pitch in and generously help us sustain our momentum in creating a future of great programs that inspire our students.

What are the goals for the annual fund program?

Our primary goal is to increase our parent participation to 80% and to continue 100% participation by our Board of Directors, Vestry, faculty/staff, and grade level captains.  Our monetary goal is $150,000 - a respectable but important increase toward achieving our longer term goal of having the Annual Fund program cover 5% of the total operating budget.

Where does the money go?

Currently 2% of the overall operating budget is provided by contributions to the Annual Fund program. These gifts support classroom materials, Fine Arts, technology, athletics, financial aid, faculty salaries/development, campus beautification/maintenance, the library, and much more. Additionally 10% of each gift helps to increase our Reserve Fund in accordance with our Board of Directors' 2009-2012 Strategic Plan.

How much should we give to the Annual Fund Program?

We understand that all families have different economic circumstances.  St. George needs as many families as possible to bridge the gap of $270.000. When planning to increase your families donation, you can choose to make a pledge and then pay it in periodic amounts, or make a one-time (or more) donation.  Every gift is essential to the success of the Annual Fund program.  The only gift too small is no gift at all.

There are many foundations that support education. Do we ask them for gifts?

Yes, the Development Office solicits foundations on behalf of St. George Episcopal School. And as we move toward a Capital Campaign, foundations will want to see strong support from the school community before they will give. Last year our parent participation was 57% - our highest since the Annual Fund program began 5 years ago. You participation is KEY to our success.

Isn't participation in other events the same as giving to the Annual Fund program?

Participation in the Golf Tournament or PTO sponsored events such as Sally Foster Gift Wrap, Dragon Family Fun Fest, or Spring Fling is very important, but it is different from making a gift to the Annual Fund program. Buying an auction item or purchasing a ticket is a quid pro quo transaction; it is not 100% tax-deductible.

How much has been raised in the past?

Because of your participation, donations have increased each year. In 2010-2011 we surpassed our $135,000 goal and raised $152,147.00.

When Do I Give?

Donations and pledges may be made throughout the school's fiscal year which is between July 1st and June 30th. All constituents - Board of Directors, Vestry, faculty/staff, church members, parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni and past parents, friends and vendors - initially receive a letter and pledge card with return envelope.

Why do we list donors in the annual report?

There is no St. George without donors. Every gift makes a difference and should be acknowledged; therefor, we publicly thank donors in the Annual Report. We like to thank our donors by name because we believe that doing so honors their gifts and establishes them as leaders in the St. George community.  We also believe that publicly acknowledging the families who have participated in the Annual Fund encourages other to give.

Giving levels
St. George Friends	Up to $99	Donate to the Annual Fund now by check or credit card - Click here.
St. George Investors	$100 - $249
St. George Patrons	$250 - $499
St. George Sustainers	$500 - $999
St. George Associates	$1,000 - $2,499
Founder’s Circle	$2,500 - $4,999
Circle Of Excellence	$5,000 - $9,999
Society Of Arts and Letters	$10,000 +

 

 

You can make a contribution to St. George by:

• Check (payable to "St. George Episcopal School").
• Credit card (paypal available or request form by phone).
• Transfer of appreciated assets such as stock.
• Making a pledge that is paid through one of the methods listed above.
• Making a bequest through your will.

Please contact Adriana Villfranca, Director of Advancement, at avillafranca@saintgeorgeschool.org to find out how your participation can make a difference.

Our faculty, administration, and students thank you for your generous support!