Capital Campaign Exceeds Goal!
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Thanks to the support of many community members, we have exceeded our Capital Campaign goal. There are still opportunities to support our Endowment initiatives and the Annual Fund.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign?

The Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign support distinct but equally important purposes in assuring the health and well-being of Sacred Heart Schools. The Capital Campaign supports implementation of the initiatives of the strategic plan and represents a major investment in the future of the school. It is something done very infrequently – and this is only the third Campaign in the history of the school.

The Annual Fund is integral to the operating budget. Tuition only covers part of the cost of educating a student – the Annual Fund, along with endowment pay-out and other fund raisers, closes that gap. The Annual Fund is critical to school’s financial health. Annual giving provides “money to live by”; the Capital Campaign provides “money to grow on.”
Read More about the annual fund

Why should alumni and families of alumni invest in Sacred Heart Schools?

Everything we enjoy at Sacred Heart Schools is the result of generous gifts from those who came before us. It is now our responsibility to provide for our current students as well as those who will follow.

Your belief in the school’s mission is, in part, what led you to choose the school. You now have the opportunity to reinforce that choice with a gift that reflects your continuing commitment to the goals and values that a Sacred Heart education represents. A gift to this Campaign will not only benefit our current students; it is an investment in our children’s education and future, and will ensure Sacred Heart Schools’ strength and success for years to come.

Why not just pay for the Capital Campaign out of endowment?

The endowment is permanent capital that has been put in place to safeguard and support the school’s long term well-being. Our policy is not to spend the principal in all but the greatest of emergencies. Additionally, much of the endowment was designated by donors to specific purposes and is unavailable. Furthermore, the income from the unrestricted portion of the endowment provides critical funding for the school’s annual operating budget.

The Capital Campaign seeks to increase endowment for financial aid and faculty excellence. I thought Annual Fund gifts supported these priorities?

Annual Fund gifts do support these goals on a year-to-year basis. However, the endowment provides both a significant increase, and just as importantly, permanent funding for financial aid and faculty excellence to ensure our commitment to a diverse student body and a superb faculty. Faculty salaries and benefits, and financial aid are the school’s largest expense components. Providing long term support for these critical priorities helps to keep tuition costs down by reducing the pressure on the operating budget. It is economic times like these when a healthy endowment is what separates strong institutions from those who are not able to weather tough times.

Why is unrestricted Capital Campaign support important?

 An unrestricted gift provides the school with the freedom and flexibility to apply the gift to any Campaign priority. While some donors will choose to restrict their gifts to a specific campaign priority, our hope is that most donors will allow Sacred Heart to apply their gifts to the campaign priority that needs it most. It is extremely valuable to have the flexibility to make certain that every need is funded.

How long is the pledge period for a Capital Campaign gift?

Capital Campaign gifts may be paid over a 3-5 year period. Of course, Sacred Heart benefits if pledges are paid sooner, but we know that donors may want the extra time to fund a significant gift, especially given the current environment.

How was the name Living our Mission, Building our Future selected?


Several potential names and messages were created based on discussions with Sacred Heart staff, faculty, and volunteers. The sentiment that resonated most with participants was that through this campaign we seek to celebrate and reinforce the school's mission while ensuring the school’s strength and vitality for years to come. Therefore, Living our Mission, Building our Future was selected.

When will the new lower and middle school break ground?


Construction is currently underway. Our plan is to have the buildings ready by August 2012.

What role does financial aid play at Sacred Heart?


It is a fundamental premise that the school should be open to the most talented students interested in a Sacred Heart education, and that implies ensuring access and affordability to a diverse array of students and families. We want to attract the most promising students, regardless of their financial means. Many SHS families state that one of the primary reasons they selected our school is because they want their children to be among a diverse student body. However, economic pressures make it difficult for Sacred Heart Schools to offer financial aid to every student we would like to admit. Endowment gifts to support financial aid will enable us to attract and admit the most capable students on the basis of their talent and desire, not their financial means

Advancement Office Contact

Advancement Office
650.473.4003
advancement@shschools.org

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