STM Annual Fund

Annual Fund 2005-2006

The 2005-2006 Annual Fund for St. Thomas More School is well underway. This is the 5th year of our Annual Fund and each year so far we have managed to exceed our goal and have also received tremendous support from our school families and our faculty and staff. As of the end of February, we have raised just over $79,000 towards our goal of $100,000. We have received pledges and gifts from 31% of our school families thus far.

This year, we are excited to announce that if we reach or exceed our goal of $100,000, then 20% of the money raised will go directly back to the school towards the purchase of new LCD Projectors (the modern equivalent of the overhead or slide projector) for each classroom. As in the past, the remainder of the funds raised will be applied to the school’s portion of the annual payment on the new multipurpose building.

The Annual Fund was kicked off in October and will conclude at the end of the school year. We expect to receive 100% participation from our school families, as well as from our faculty and staff. Please make your gift to the Annual Fund today and remember that behind every generous donor stands an STM student with a promising future!

Please be sure to check with your Human Resources department to see if your company has a Matching Gifts Program. It is a very easy process. You could double or even triple your gift to the Annual Fund!

If you would like to make a gift to our Annual Fund, please download the pledge card and mail it withyour check to STM School, 630 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.

Please give as generously as possible and know that each and every gift is truly appreciated, is 100% tax deductible, and will be acknowledged in the STM Annual Report, unless anonymity is desired.

You may find the Annual Fund Frequently Asked Questions helpful. Please take a few moments to review them. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Ansley Murphey, Director of Development, at 404-373-8456 or amurphey@stmga.org.

Recap of the 2005-2006 Annual Fund

As of April 25, 2006, 50% of our STM school families and 80% of our faculty and staff made a gift to the 2005-2006 Annual Fund. We appreciate the generosity of each of our school families, grandparents, current and former faculty/staff, alumni, parents of alumni, friends, matching corporations, and local businesses who helped us raise just over $94,000 (94% of our goal).

Exciting News

An Anonymous Donor has offered to match dollar for dollar any gift to the Annual Fund that is received between April 25, 2006 and May 15, 2006, up to $5,000. If you make a gift to the Annual Fund before May 15, consider your gift automatically doubled! By making your gift today, you will also increase our family participation rate from 50% towards our goal of 100%.

As soon as we reach our goal of $100,000, we can make our annual payment on the multipurpose building as well as purchase and begin installing LCD Projectors for each classroom over the summer!

We are so blessed by this wonderful opportunity! Please do not delay, make your gift today!

DEADLINE: MAY 15th

Annual Fund FAQ's

Q: WHAT IS THE STM SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN?

A: The Annual Fund campaign is kicked off in the fall of each school year. Both financial gifts and gifts of prayer are requested for St. Thomas More School from current parents, faculty/staff, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, friends, and local businesses. The purpose of the Annual Fund is to bridge the gap between the actual cost of educating our students and the income we receive from tuition. Without the Annual Fund we would not be able to keep the annual increase in tuition to a minimum.

Q WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY RAISED THROUGH THE ANNUAL FUND?

A : STM School is responsible for $150,000 per year on the construction debt service for the multi-purpose building and remodeled school entrance and offices. The money raised through the Annual Fund will be applied towards this annual payment. This year, we are excited to announce that if we reach or exceed our goal of $100,000, then 20% of the money raised will go directly back to the school towards the purchase of new LCD Projectors (the modern equivalent of the overhead or slide projector) for each classroom.

Q: WHAT IS OUR GOAL?

A: Our financial goal this year is $100,000. Our ultimate goal is to raise enough money through the Annual Fund to cover the $150,000 annual payment that the School is responsible for on the debt service of the multi-purpose building and renovated school entrance and offices.

Our participation goal is 100% from our parents and our faculty/staff. Last year we received 67% participation from our parents and 100% participation from our faculty/staff!

Q: HOW MUCH SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE?

A: We are truly grateful for each and every gift made to the Annual Fund. Please keep in mind that no gift is too big or too small; it is your demonstration of support that really makes a difference!
A high percentage of participation favorably influences outside sources of support (e.g. charitable foundations) when the school applies for grants.

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ANNUAL FUND AND THE PTO FUNDRAISERS?

A: The funds raised through the Annual Fund and the PTO Fundraisers help us keep our tuition level at a minimum. The Annual Fund helps the School make our annual payment on the note for the new multi-purpose building and renovated front entrance and offices. The PTO fundraisers help to pay for such items as classroom supplies, our annual artist-in-residence, tuition for faculty/staff courses, technology, and curriculum enhancement. The PTO also contributes $30,000 each year from it’s income to help the School pay for the debt service. Without the Annual Fund and the PTO Fundraisers, two very important sources of income, we would be forced to significantly increase our level of tuition. So as you can see, both of these efforts are of the utmost importance to the success of STM School.

Q: WHAT ARE MATCHING GIFTS?

A: Matching gift programs are offered through many corporations. Companies assist nonprofit organizations by matching an employee’s gift (often dollar for dollar). Please check with your Human Resources Department to see if your company has a Matching Gifts Program.

All Annual Fund donors will be listed in the STM School Annual Report. Donations to the STM Annual Fund are tax deductible to the fullest
extent of the law.