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Annual Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the Annual Fund so important?
A: The Annual Fund represents the most critical dollars for the school's financial health for two very important reasons:
• It provides annual renewed gifts so that the School can depend on this source of income;
It provides unrestricted support so that the school can put these dollars where they are needed most.
• Annual Giving helps fund essentials within the operating budget, including faculty salaries, professional development, curriculum development, art supplies, technology, athletics, student activities, and even air conditioning and lighting. These unrestricted gifts are applied wherever the need is greatest, and they are essential to the school’s excellence and financial strength.
Q: Doesn’t tuition cover those expenses?
A: Tuition revenue provides only 78 percent of the school’s operating budget. Parish relies on annual unrestricted giving to help cover the gap that exists between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student. Tuition increases are inevitable, but can be controlled through the budget-relieving support that the Annual Fund provides.
Q: How can I make a gift?
A: There are many ways to give to Parish including cash, credit card, securities, and matching gifts. *(please see Ways to Give). All gifts are tax deductible.
Q: What are Leadership Gifts?
A: Leadership level gifts begin at $1,000+. Leadership gifts are crucial to the success of Parish’s Annual Fund program and are recognized through categories. Typically gifts at this level represent more than 80 percent of the total money raised through annual giving. Donors who make gifts at these levels are recognized yearly by leadership category in the Annual Report on Philanthropy at Parish.
Q: I am not in a position to make a Leadership Gift. If I can only make a small gift, does it really make an impact on Parish?
A: Absolutely! Over the years, parent contributions to the Annual Fund have ranged from $10 to $30,000. Every gift—regardless of amount—does make a difference. Your gift, combined with those from other parents, alumni and friends, provides substantial support for the ongoing programmatic needs of the school. Every gift is an expression of support for Parish and every gift matters.
Q: Why does my participation matter?
A: Participation matters because many foundations only fund schools that demonstrate wide support by their own parents and alumni. Your gift is a demonstration of your commitment to the school and a sign of Parish’s strength of community.
Q: What period of time does the Annual Fund program cover?
A: The Annual Fund program runs throughout the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
Q: If I make a pledge now, when do I have to pay?
A: We ask that pledges are fulfilled by March 31. It is helpful to Parish if you make your commitment early in the fiscal year, even if you don’t pay until later. It is important for the Board of Trustees to know the approximate total of the projected funds raised before they meet at the end of November to begin the budget planning process for the next school year.
Q: How is the Annual Fund different from a Capital Campaign?
A: The annual fund program raises funds yearly in support of the school’s annual operating budget. It is the school’s only annual fundraising program that seeks contributions from every constituency. From time to time, the Board of Trustees may initiate a campaign to fund major projects. A capital campaign is a specific fundraising campaign over a finite period of time that raises substantial funds for major building projects and renovations, for endowment funds, and for other significant needs demanding extensive outlays of capital.
Q: Aren’t we in a Capital Campaign at Parish?
A: Yes, we are currently engaged in a Capital Campaign to complete Phase V of the campus master plan. If you would like more information about the Capital Campaign, please contact Ingrid Healy in the Advancement Office at 972.852.8757. It is important to note that the Annual Fund is critical to meeting the immediate and ongoing needs of the school and is prioritized as our foremost fundraising program at Parish.
Q: Does the Annual Fund benefit both the Hillcrest Campus and the Midway Campus?
A: Absolutely! Approximately 24% ($200,800) of the 2006 Annual Fund was designated to the 2007-2008 technology budget. This allowed for new desktop and laptop computers, projectors, SMART Boards, audio-visual equipment, and additional servers on both campuses. In addition, $101,000 was earmarked for Visual and Performing Arts which impacts both campuses. $100,000 was earmarked for Professional Development for teachers at both campuses. $67,000 was allocated to Field Trips and $65,300 to Student Activities & Service benefiting students at both campuses. Realizing that the “roots” of the school are in the early childhood programs, strong consideration is always given to the students at the Hillcrest Campus when Annual Fund dollars are allocated.
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