100% Let’s Do This!

2/21/2025

On Tuesday, we hosted some parents in the Peter B. Benedict Library for breakfast. This group of parents, under the leadership of Ashley Shackelton and Adam Logemann, has agreed to help us increase the percentage of families who give to the Saint Edward’s Fund (our annual fund). The goal is 100% participation. The name of this powerful group is appropriately called the Saint Edward’s Annual Giving Committee.

Why is giving to the annual fund important to a school community? Annual giving fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Parents, alumni, faculty and friends of the School come together through their contributions, demonstrating their commitment to our mission and ensuring that we continue to provide an exceptional education for current and future generations. Participation in annual giving, regardless of the size of the donation, strengthens our institution and reflects a collective belief in the transformative power of education.

Moreover, strong participation in annual giving has a direct impact on our ability to secure grants and additional funding from external sources. Many foundations and corporate donors look at the percentage of community participation in annual giving when determining their support. A high level of engagement sends a powerful message that our stakeholders are invested in the School's success, making us more competitive when seeking supplementary funding.

Saint Edward’s is celebrating our 60th anniversary this year. The School opened in September 1965, and since then, annual giving at the School has been a priority, and collectively, it has had an incredible impact on the two most important aspects of our community - the people (students and faculty) and the programs (everything our children experience every day)!

As with all independent schools, tuition and fees simply do not cover the full cost of each student’s education. Philanthropic gifts and draws from the endowment make up about 12 percent of the budget, while tuition and fees cover about 88 percent. This difference is made up through the generosity of donors to the annual fund.

The committee’s goal is to reach 100% parent participation! So, we are making it easy. The Saint Edward’s Annual Giving Committee is helping the School with a two-week parent participation campaign. Think of it as a mini-flash campaign. We want EVERY PARENT to celebrate the School’s 60 years by making a gift of $19.65 - the School’s founding year, and we want to do this between now and March 7, 2025. Now, if you normally make a larger gift, or wish to make a larger gift, the School still needs that too, so we are asking you to make a gift of $19.65 AND the amount you normally donate or wish to donate.

It’s easy to give by visiting www.steds.org/giving, and your gift is 100% tax deductible.

Annual giving is a critical part of every independent school’s operating budget, and I know we can do this! I look forward to hearing from you and thanking you for your support!