What is Annual Fund?
Annual Fund (AF) is our annual appeal for donations to support the educational efforts at St. Mark’s. Funds from AF go both to day-to-day operations as well as programs aimed at improving the quality of the St. Mark’s experience. The SMART Boards in core curriculum classrooms from K-5-8th grade were paid in large part with annual funds.
Isn’t tuition enough?
The average cost of each student’s education for the 2010-2011 school year is $7,500. The average tuition was $6,300. This $1,200 shortfall is bridged by charitable giving. It is worth noting that fully 84% of your tuition dollars go to the salaries of the teachers and support staff.
Why not raise tuition?
Keeping tuition as reasonable as possible allows for a greater diversity of students. Families who are able to send their children to us might not be able to afford the full cost if it was levied as tuition. AF is a tax deductible which helps our donors.
Where exactly does AF money go?
Every year the School Board sets the exact allocation of funds. Normally, 30% goes to the Endowment. After that the funds are used to balance the operating budget for the current year. All remaining funds are used for facility improvements and program enhancements.
How much should I give?
We value participation at any level. Gifts should be appropriate for each family’s situation. Parents of our younger children are often beginning careers and although their children stand to benefit the most, cannot budget a large gift. Any donation is appreciated. The important thing is to PARTICIPATE. St. Mark’s Cathedral School encourages your participation, not denomination!
Who should give?
We invite gifts from parents, grandparents, alumni and their parents, school staff, parishioners of St. Mark’s Cathedral and members of the community who wish to support quality education.
When is the Annual Fund Drive, and when should I give?
The Annual Fund Drive runs throughout the year. The kickoff is in September, and we encourage all parents to pledge throughout the year. Pledges may be paid through the end of the fiscal year on June 30.