| Q. | What is the Annual Fund and why do we need it? |
| A. | The Annual Fund sustains Sacred Heart’s commitment to quality education. As with all independent schools, Sacred Heart’s tuition does not cover the entire cost of educating each student. We rely on Annual Fund gifts from current and past parents, alumnae, trustees, faculty and staff, grandparents and friends to help close the gap between tuition revenues and the full costs of providing our superior program. |
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| Q. | Why doesn’t Sacred Heart raise tuition to pay for all of the operating needs? |
| A. | Although Sacred Heart must raise tuition annually to guarantee growth in faculty salaries and school programs, the School could not charge the full cost without seriously limiting the number of qualified students who could afford to attend. Augmenting tuition with the Annual Fund also allows the School to keep tuition at a competitive rate with the surrounding community. In addition, a gift to the Annual Fund is tax-deductible as allowed by law; tuition is not. |
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| Q. | How are the Annual Fund dollars spent? |
| A. | The money from the Annual Fund campaign is spent on budgeted items throughout the school year. In general, the Annual Fund guarantees faculty/staff salaries and benefits, professional development for faculty/staff, program and classroom materials, student activities and clubs, arts and athletic programs and maintenance of the buildings and grounds. |
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| Q. | Who determines the annual goal? If we don’t meet the goal, will the School be affected? |
| A. | In cooperation with each other, the Administration, Finance Committee, Board of Trustees and the Development Committee set the Annual Fund goal. The process is a balancing act of tuition revenue forecasting, maximizing Annual Fund potential, and an acknowledgement of the importance of the continued health and strength of our School. If we don’t meet the goal, the deficit would have an across-the-board impact, with potential cutbacks being shared by all divisions. |
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| Q. | Who should give to the Annual Fund? |
| A. | EVERYONE who is a part of the Sacred Heart community. Seventy-four percent of current parents and twenty-seven percent of alumnae made donations to last year’s Fund. Contributions to the Annual Fund cover a wide range, from the $5 or $10 a young alumna in college might send to many thousands of dollars. |
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| Q. | What is the Barat Society and what are the giving levels? |
| A. | The St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Society recognizes those who contribute between $2,500 and $25,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, Endowment or Designated Funds. Members will be invited to the Society Dinner in May. |
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| Q. | I can’t make a big gift. Does my support still matter? |
| A. | Yes. We need and value every family’s support in every way. Your gift, regardless of the amount, will provide additional resources and will often serve to encourage others to make gifts. Everyone who is solicited is asked to give generously. An appropriate gift is one in proportion to your ability to give. Corporate matching gifts enable donors to increase the value of their gift and provide a valuable source of revenue for the School. |
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| Q. | Why is percentage participation important? |
| A. | High participation in the Annual Fund is an important way for us to demonstrate to others in our community and to prospective families the commitment and dedication of our parents, alumnae and friends to the School and our students. We aim for 100% participation. Foundations and corporations awarding grants to educational institutional often look at the level of parent, alumnae/i and community participation in the School’s Annual Fund. |
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| Q. | Does it matter when I pledge or make a gift? |
| A. | Yes, it does matter. A gift or pledge made early in the school year is a great advantage to the School because we will know how much money will be available to support the budget. To help plan our spending, we ask that donors please make pledges by December 31, if at all possible, but pledge payments and gifts can be made through the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Once you have made your annual gift or pledge, you will not receive another Annual Fund solicitation until the next academic year. |
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| Q. | How do I contribute to the Annual Fund and whom do I contact for more information? |
| A. | Make your tax-deductible donation in any of these ways:
• Pledge now and pay in full or in installments by June 30, 2006.
• Check—made payable to Convent of the Sacred Heart
• Credit Card—Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover
• Appreciated Securities—call or e-mail the Development Office for transfer instructions
• Online—click here.
Be sure to check with your employer to find out whether you can double or triple your gift through a matching gift program.
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