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Q. What is the STM Annual Fund?
A. The STM Annual Fund is an important way for parents, grandparents, alumni, parishioners, faculty, staff, parents of alumni, and friends to
contribute to the success of St. Thomas More Parish School. The purpose is to bridge the significant gap between the actual cost of educating our students and the income received from tuition. The Annual Fund is the basis of a comprehensive Advancement Program. It helps to sustain operating expenses and enhances the programs and services offered to students and faculty. Traditionally, strong institutions have strong annual funds. Catholic elementary schools should be no different than any other school, college or university. An annual gift to our school makes a direct impact in the daily lives each student.
Q. What happens to the money raised through the STM Annual Fund?
A. Donors can choose how their contributions benefit the school:- To meet immediate needs – classroom enhancements, teacher advancement and development, and facility improvements – in ways that will be felt within the school every day
- To be invested and grown for the future through the St. Thomas More Parish School Endowment Foundation, which provides the school with annual support
Q. What is our goal?
A. Our goal is to have full participation (100%) by parents and faculty/staff, and to give other constituents such as grandparents, alumni and friends a direct means of supporting STM. As a primary part of the Advancement Plan, the Annual Fund should ultimately provide the basis for the school being self-sustaining (without need of an annual parish subsidy), maintaining a moderate tuition rate relative to nearby Catholic schools, and positioned to consider large modernizing projects.
Q. How is the Annual Fund different than Oktoberfest and the Auction Gala?
A. Oktoberfest and Gala help support current operating needs of the school. Without them we could not operate at current levels of staff, technology and programs. The Annual Fund has virtually no overhead. While it makes a direct impact on current operations, it also has a longer-term component and an expanded base of supports, including alumni, grandparents and friends.
Q. Why not just raise tuition rather than solicit donations?
A. If parochial schools relied solely on tuition income, the tuition would be beyond the means of most families. Annual giving enables the entire community—-parishioners, current parents, alumni parents, alumni, faculty, staff, relatives, and friends—-to help support Catholic education at a level that they feel comfortable.
Q. How much should I contribute?
A. Every gift to the Annual Fund is important and appreciated, no matter the size. A number of giving levels is provided so that we have broad participation and so we ask that you prayerfully consider the amount you are comfortable giving. Every gift is 100% tax deductible, and will be acknowledged in the STM Annual Report unless anonymity is desired.
Q. What are matching gifts?
A. Matching gift programs are offered through many corporations. Please check with your Human Resources Department to see if your company has a Matching Gifts Program. We’ll help with the paperwork if needed! Donors will receive credit for matching donations, for purposes of giving levels and reports.
Q. How can I give, and do I have to give now?
A. It is easy to donate online! Once you decide what to give, your online donation is payable by credit card - there is even an option to give monthly! If you would prefer to pay by check, you can mail your gift to St. Thomas More Parish School, ATTN: Annual Fund at 5927 Wigton Street, Houston, Texas 77096.
More questions? Contact:
Calvin Pollard, II, Director of Advancement
(713) 729-3434
[email protected]
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