The annual fund is a necessary part of a comprehensive advancement program at any independent school. This fund helps to sustain programs and activities, not covered by tuition, that enrich the education of our students. Simply, the St. Thomas High School Annual Fund is the best way possible for current parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, as well as friends of St. Thomas to help make a financial difference in the future of the school.

These unrestricted funds are added to the school’s general fund for use in:

 Meeting current operating expenses

 Faculty enrichment programs

 Improving technology and classroom resources

 Enhancing the programs and services offered to the students

Your investment in St. Thomas High School through an annual fund contribution, at a level that you are comfortable with, will help raise necessary funds for important school objectives.

Why is the Annual Fund necessary?

St. Thomas High School needs your support. Our Annual Fund program is necessary to sustain the life of the school through enriched academic and student programs. It also helps provide for quality teachers. Tuition alone cannot cover all of the goals that we would like to achieve.

Tuition and auxiliary income are simply not adequate to cover the operating expenses incurred at St. Thomas High School. The actual cost of education for each student is approximately $12,000 for the 2007-2008 school year. The tuition and fees set for each student this year is $10,500.

Specifically, tuition and fees do not cover 100% of the cost of a St. Thomas education annually. Every effort must be made to reduce the school dependency on tuition-generated revenues to keep the school competitive with other schools. The Annual Fund helps the school make up the difference, bridging the gap between tuition and the total operating costs educating each young man at St. Thomas High School.

Therefore, a charitable, tax deductible annual fund gift gives the best opportunity for alumni, family and friends to support our efforts at St. Thomas. Truly, an annual fund gift is a vote of confidence in St. Thomas High School, its faculty and staff, and all those who are working to make the school’s community better.

The Annual Fund is part of the 2007-2008 anticipated revenue for the school budget. This year’s total annual fund goal is $700,000, which is about a 17% increase over last year’s annual fund goal and more than twice the amount of money raised three years ago.

Traditionally, strong institutions have successful annual funds. We believe St. Thomas High School, with its core constituency rooted in alumni, alumni parents, current parents, and foundations, has proven to be a very strong institution since 1900. Independent high schools should be no different than any other school, college, or university. An annual gift to the school remains a tangible vote of confidence in the total school program.

Why not just raise tuition, rather than solicit gifts?

Although raising tuition is necessary each year, because of our need to increase faculty salaries, it is not a cost effective way to continue the mission of St. Thomas High School and remain competitive with other schools.

Raising tuition to actual costs would generate a certain level of revenue, but we know it would not solve the on-going needs the school faces. In order to generate the total support necessary to just meet our cost to educate each child, we would have to assess each family an additional $1,500 or more to cover our overall operating costs.

Additionally, most schools and other non-profit organizations rely upon an annual giving model to sustain their programs. This affords an opportunity for all constituencies: current parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni and friends to help support the mission of the school at a level they feel comfortable with through their annual gift. It also provides a tax deductible charitable gift opportunity for each donor.

Isn’t my support of the school’s other fundraisers enough?

The monies generated through these fundraisers help to support the life of the school, but do not offer enough support to meet what we are trying to accomplish for our young men at St. Thomas. Each fundraiser, including Round-Up, the Auction and Mothers’ Club Style Show, does help to accomplish the overall mission of the school, but the Annual Fund provides the vast majority of the essential ancillary funds.

Who is being asked to participate?

All constituencies will be asked to make an annual gift: Board members, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni and friends, as well as faculty and staff members. In general, it is hoped that the whole St. Thomas family, this community of supporters that has helped sustain St. Thomas High School since 1900, will support the school each year.

What are gift societies?

Gift societies are a method or approach to securing a number of gifts at all levels. If our annual fund is to be successful, it must reflect the balance between leadership gifts and broad participation. Gift societies provide an opportunity for all donors to be recognized and acknowledged at the level of their generosity to the community of givers that is St. Thomas High School. We expect different gifts from different people, but gifts from everyone!

What is “The Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge Society?”

The Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge Society is a formal organization of lead benefactors to the Annual Fund. Membership in this society is open to all individuals and companies who make a minimum gift of $2,500 to one of five leadership categories. The Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge Society is an expression of leadership support and appreciation for all that the Basilian Fathers and St. Thomas High School has to offer, not only to current students and their families, but to the community, state, nation and world as well. Its graduates are a testament to the legacy of the Basilian motto “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.”

How long do I have to pay my pledge?

The Annual Fund has been designed to afford donors an opportunity to pay their pledge on an annual basis before June 30. Installment giving provides a vehicle for each donor to maximize their gift by scheduling their contribution in smaller and more convenient increments. The school will mail a pledge reminder to you in advance of any installment you choose.

What are matching gifts and will I get credit for them with my pledge?

Matching gifts are gifts that an employer will give annually to an educational institution or other nonprofits as an employee benefit by matching the gift made by an employee on a 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 basis. In the Annual Fund we will give full credit to the donor for any gift they make as well as any match their employer makes. In many cases, this can be a wonderful way to increase your gift to a higher gift society. For example, a gift of $250 from a donor matched by their employer on a 1:1 basis for an additional $250, will credit the donor with a $500 gift to St. Thomas High School. Simply ask your employer about their matching gift program and forward the company form along with your gift and St. Thomas will do the rest. Your spouse may qualify for a matching gift as well. Restrictions do apply on some gifts. Please ask your human resources department for information on qualifying gifts.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! Gifts given to St. Thomas High School are tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law and may be made in the form of cash, check, credit card or stock transfer.

Why Me?

At a time when there are many requests for your charitable dollars, you may ask: "Why St. Thomas High School?" The answer is simply twofold. First, nothing is more important than a child’s education. Secondly, the education here at St. Thomas High School is truly unique, and your gift to the school will continue to sustain the Basilian tradition which has been “a gift for life” for thousands of young men.

Click here to make secure donations online to St. Thomas

or mail your donation to:

Advancement Office
St. Thomas High School
4500 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77007-7332

For more information, call 713-864-6348 ext. 152

St. Thomas High School / 4500 Memorial Drive / Houston, TX 77007
Phone 713-864-6348