Every gift to St. Cletus School is deeply appreciated and contributes directly to the extraordinary educational experience provided to each student. Your gift of any size will leave a lasting legacy by shaping children’s minds, unveiling their natural talents and strengthening character and personal social responsibility.
As an independent school, St. Cletus relies on tuition and charitable gifts to operate the school. Tuition covers only 80 percent of the true cost of educating a student. The remaining balance must be raised each year through the generosity and commitment of parents, alumni, grandparents, friends, foundations and corporations.
Annual Fund 2017 – 2018 Campaign Launched
This year’s Annual Fund campaign is now in progress. Over 50 parent captains have volunteered to contact families to encourage and increase participation in this year’s drive. To make giving easy, donors may now give online at www.seaburyhall.org/giving
FAQs about the Annual Fund
We already pay enough in tuition. Why do we need to give more?
Tuition is a big commitment; however, tuition covers only 78% of the annual operating budget. The Annual Fund is an essential revenue source; your gift to the fund goes to work immediately in support of the outstanding educational program, which is the hallmark of the school and extends to every corner of the campus.
Why not just raise tuition?
Seabury Hall is committed to keeping tuition at a reasonable level and to attracting as diverse a student body as possible. Gifts to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible whereas tuition is not.
I already donate to the Craft Fair and/or the Golf Tournament, or I volunteer my time at the school. Do I still need to give to the Annual Fund?
These are all great ways to support the school. A high parent participation percentage in the Annual Fund Drive, however, and the success of reaching our fundraising goal reflect your confidence in Seabury Hall. This supports our efforts to seek grants and donations from foundations and major donors.
I am not in a position to give a big gift. Will a small donation really make a difference?
We are seeking 100% parent participation, so, yes, every gift matters.
My child is going to graduate soon. How will the Annual Fund help him/her?
Annual Fund dollars are used in the fiscal year in which they are donated. They have an immediate impact on the daily operation of the school and are required to meet our annual budget.
How Does Your Gift Help?
General Operating Expenses
St. Cletus School’s annual operating budget relies on revenue from tuition, endowment income and the annual fund proceeds. Like balancing a personal checkbook, we are challenged to cover ongoing expenses of supporting core curriculum, innovative new programs, an outstanding faculty and a breathtaking campus.
Financial Aid
Changes in the economy over the past several years make gifts to financial aid even more essential. Besides valuing a diverse student body, St. Cletus School wants to increase access to a private education for qualified students. This past year, gifts to financial aid made it possible to provide tuition assistance to 40 percent of our students.
Replacement and Maintenance of Facilities
One of our school’s greatest assets is our campus and facilities that create the ideal natural healthy environment for open, interactive and creative learning. Gifts to capital campaigns and special projects support the huge cost of replacing and maintaining buildings and the campus.