Annual Fund

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• Why is the Annual Fund important?

  The Annual Fund provides flexible, unrestricted income for programs that are critical to a Sacred Heart education and allow the school to meet the highest needs in the current year. Like all independent schools, our Annual Fund fills the gap between tuition and other revenue and the true cost of providing a Sacred Heart education.  It enables us to maintain our top-tier faculty and staff, rigorous academics, co-curricular programs, and diverse student body. Your gift to the Annual Fund touches the lives of each and every student.

• Why not just raise tuition?

  Raising tuition to the actual cost of educating each student would place too large a burden on many families, making it impossible for their children to attend Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. By containing tuition costs through your support of the Annual Fund SHS is able to fulfill its commitment to attracting talented as well as diverse students. Additionally, donations to SHS are 100% tax deductible, and many donations qualify for additional contributions from corporate Matching Gift Programs.

• How much are families expected to give to the Annual Fund?

  Sacred Heart is an economically diverse community and each family is asked to thoughtfully consider a gift that will be personally meaningful. While “the gap” is a starting point for consideration of gift size, not all families are able to contribute the full amount, and some families can give more. It is a personal decision; each family is requested to participate to the best of their ability.
  

   

  2020-21 Annual Fund Gap
  PreSchool - Kindergarten	$3,600
  Lower School - Gr. 1-5	$4,750
  Middle School - Gr. 6-8	$5,950
  Prep - Gr. 9-12	$5,950

• What are the gap amounts for this year?

  The gap numbers are
  
  

  2020-21 Annual Fund Gap
  Preschool - Kindergarten	$3,600
  Lower School - Gr. 1-5	$4,750
  Middle School - Gr. 6-8	$5,950
  Prep - Gr. 9-12	$5,950

• Why is 100% participation so crucial?

  School-wide participation in the Annual Fund is a testament to the community’s strong commitment to the mission of the school and to the goals of a Sacred Heart education. Achieving 100% participation builds community, identifies solidarity, and often inspires significant additional gifts. All Annual Fund gifts—large and small—make a collective impact which benefits each and every student.

• How can I support Sacred Heart during this difficult period?

  Many in our community have so generously asked how they might support SHS through this pandemic. For now, the best way to support Sacred Heart is by donating to the Annual Fund, which is applied to this year’s operating budget, including Covid impacts. We currently do not have a separate Covid-19 fund. If you can give in any form, we ask that you donate to the Annual Fund. Our target is full participation, so as always, gifts of any size are welcomed and very much appreciated. 
  

• Has Sacred Heart been impacted financially by the pandemic?

  Like most schools, the pandemic has increased overall expenses significantly due to necessary technology upgrades to support distance learning, additional teacher and staff training and support, added safety requirements, and greater demand for financial aid. At the same time, our capacity for revenue-generating events and activities is currently restricted. 

• Who is asked to make Annual Fund gifts?

  Everyone in the school community—trustees, faculty, staff, current parents, past parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends—is asked to participate in the Annual Fund. In recent years, 100 percent of trustees, faculty, staff, and current parents have pledged support to the Annual Fund.

• What is a matching gift?

  Many companies will match the value of charitable gifts made by their employees. Generally, your employer’s Human Resource department will know if your company participates in a matching program and, if so, will provide the necessary forms and instructions to initiate the match. Matching gifts are a great way to leverage Annual Fund donations.

• Can I restrict my Annual Fund gift to a specific program or interest?

  Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund are preferred, as they allow the school to meet the most pressing current needs. However, to discuss a specific request, please contact Mary Smoker atmsmoker@shschools.org.