Soar to Success Annual Fund FAQs

Diane and Sammy Zimmerer
2009-2010 Chairmen

Q. Doesn’t tuition cover the actual cost of sending a child to school? No. Tuition alone covers only 78% of the costs in our $1.9+ million budget. Additional monies from parish support, Diocesan and foundation tuition assistance, and fund raising assists us with providing the finances needed to meet our budget, but that is not enough.

• Cost per student 09-10:        $7,042.73
• Parish Tuition Rate:                $5,290.00
• Difference:                              $1,752.73

Q. Does this help keep tuition low? Yes. Money raised during the current school year is budgeted into the following year, which helps us to keep our tuition to a minimum.

Q. How does this help the school? The Soar to Success Annual Fund provides additional operating dollars for the following school year. Our priorities are as follows:

• Enhance our curriculum with increased technology for classroom instruction and additional books for the library
• Improvements to the school facility
• A just increase in teachers’ salaries
• Tuition assistance for Catholic families who need help to afford Catholic school education.

Q. What was last year’s money used for? The money raised from the 2008-2009 Soar to Success Annual Fund Campaign helped us to remodel and update our cafeteria and cooking facilities. In addition, it gave us some extra money to fund a larger raise in the teachers’ salaries and helped us provide tuition assistance for the students who applied and were qualified. Imagine what we can do this year with your help!

Q. Who gives to the Soar to Success campaign? The first to step up to the plate are always the faculty and staff. Although they give of their time and talent, many have already made a financial commitment to the Soar to Success Annual Fund Campaign. Why? There is no one who believes in the value of education and the level of education offered at this school more than the faculty and staff, who make sacrifices daily so that our students can succeed. Many have had their own children benefit from an SJS education and want to provide other children with the same opportunity. Additionally, faculty and staff members realize that it takes money to fix the heating and purchase textbooks and supplies. They want to make sure we run as smoothly as possible to offer our children as much as possible.

Next to step up to the plate is the leadership from the School Advisory Council and Home and School. They are joined by current parents, alumni, grandparents, the parents and grandparents of alumni…the list goes on. Then there are the companies that match their employees’ gifts, as mentioned below. So, the simple answer is: People who give to the annual fund are people who want to see our children succeed; the people who realize that the doctor who operates on them tomorrow is hopefully the student receiving the finest education today. Your gift makes that education possible.

Q. I read that my company matches gifts. What does that mean and what do I need to do? Many companies encourage employee philanthropy by providing a matching gift program. Some will match any gift you make to a qualified non- profit 1:1. Others may even match 2:1. Please check with your Human Resource office to see if your company matches gifts and how to get the appropriate paperwork to us.

Q. If my company matches my gift, do I get recognized at the gift level of my gift only or the level of the combined gifts? As long as we receive the funds before June 30 and your name is referenced by the company, you should receive recognition at the level of the total of both gifts. 

Q. What is the big deal about 100% participation? When SJS approaches an outside funding source for money, the first question they ask is, “Does your community support you?” If we can say that our community supports us at a high level, it gives us a better chance of receiving additional funding. Therefore, your gift at whatever level is even more valuable!

Q. If I gave to the previous year’s campaign, does that gift count toward this year? No. Thank you for giving to the 2008-2009 campaign; the money raised has been applied to the 2009-2010 operating budget. You make a difference, and your gift is recognized accordingly.

The 2009-2010 campaign will be used for the 2010-2011 school year, instructional materials, teacher salaries, campus renovations, etc. Each campaign is based on a school year, not a calendar year.

Q. What about my tax records? You should have received a tax receipt acknowledging your gift from last year. When you make a donation this year, you will receive another receipt. Please keep these for your tax records. If you lose your receipts, please contact Mary Kelly in the business office.

Q. What if I’d like to make a pledge so I can give more by budgeting a monthly or quarterly amount? How does that work on my taxes? Your pledge will be acknowledged with a letter to keep for your tax purposes. If you would like a breakdown of your giving per calendar year, contact the business office.

Q. If I decide to make multiple gifts in the form of a pledge, will I receive a coupon book or a pledge reminder? Both. When your initial pledge is made, you will receive “coupons” to remind you of your pledge schedule. In April, anyone with an outstanding pledge will receive a reminder. If you choose to make your donation on line, you may go to the Donate Now button on the SJS web site and set up a reoccurring debit from your credit card or e-check.

Q. My husband’s/wife’s job is a little unstable due to the economy. I’m sure we’d be able to finish our commitment, but what if he/she becomes laid off? Your pledge is a gift to us, not a bill. We pray for stability for all of our families, and if something happens to change your financial situation, please feel free to call the development office to let us know of the change to your pledge. All recognition is based on actual money received by June 30.

Q. Can I make a gift over multiple years? Gifts received during the current school year will be recognized at the level received between July 1 to June 30. Gifts made in future years will be recognized during that school year and the level actually received during the fiscal year.

Q. Can I make my gift anonymous? Yes. However, sometimes when someone sees that a peer made a gift at a certain level, it encourages the second person to make a gift at the same level, making the initial gift “more valuable.” Of course, anyone who wishes to have his or her gift remain anonymous and marks it on the response form will have his or her wish respected.

Q. I’d be embarrassed to have the actual dollar amount of my gift printed anywhere. How do you recognize gifts? For that very reason we have developed gift levels for recognition. Your gift will be recognized alphabetically at the corresponding level:

Platinum Eagle                                   $ 2,501 -  $5,000+               

Gold Eagle                                           $ 1,001 -  $2,500

Silver Eagle                                         $    501 -  $1,000      

Bronze Eagle                                       $    101 -  $   500                  

Blue and White Eagle                         $        1 -  $    100  

Q. How much of my gift is tax deductible?  100%! Unlike other programs where you may receive something for your gift, the Soar to Success Annual Fund allows you to count 100% of your gift toward your charitable giving!

Q. Do you accept credit cards? Yes! On our web site www.stjs.org, you can go to Giving/Events and click on the Donate Now button. This allows contributions from credit cards or e-checks. Be sure to scroll down to “Soar to Success”. We accept checks and cash, and for employees, payroll deductions from faculty and staff.

Q. Can I designate my Soar to Success Annual Fund Campaign gift to one of the four areas specified? No. Annual fund gifts must be used as needed for the following school year. You are more than welcome to make any gift designated to a specific area or department which touches your heart, but please note that it will not be recognized as a Soar to Success Annual Fund gift. However, all gifts are greatly appreciated!

Q. I’m new to this “tithing” thing. What is it and is there any guideline as to how much I should give? The tithe is a Biblical principle that God set forth in the Old Testament and Jesus never renounced in the New Testament. See: Amos Ch. 4 and Malachi Ch. 3. It is God’s fair way or reminding people that everything we have belongs to God (Acts 4:24 “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them!’”) God allows us to keep 90% but asks that we give back to Him 10% of our earnings, or a “tithe,” in the form of charitable contributions to help His people in need. God doesn’t need the money, but we need to be able to let go of this money and trust that God will still take care of us. Let’s face it, when God has your pocketbook, He knows you really do trust Him. And He will bless you (refer back to Malachi 3:10). This in the one area where God specifically tells you to test Him.

The Diocese of Fort Worth recommends the following guideline for giving: 5% to your local Parish, 1% to the Diocese, and 4% to other charities or areas of need which touch your heart. We just ask that you consider designating a portion of that remaining 4% to St. John School.