When your family makes a charitable financial contribution to STE, you are making a significant impact on the quality of education your child receives and the overall mission of our school. Your financial contributions support the people and programs that make STE the special place it is, with talented teachers, small class sizes, technology advancements, instructional and library resources, and enriching fine arts, Scottish Arts, and athletics programs. Your gifts support your child’s education and contribute to the overall success of Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School in the following ways:

Enhanced Educational Experience: Your contributions help us maintain and enhance our academic, athletic, fine art, and student life programs, ensuring your child receives a well-rounded and exceptional educational experience.

Enriched Resources: We can invest in resources such as updated textbooks, technology, and classroom materials, which directly benefit your child’s learning experience.

Faculty Excellence: By supporting our teachers through professional development and competitive compensation, we attract and retain exceptional educators who play a crucial role in your child’s education.

Facilities and Infrastructure: Contributions allow us to continue to maintain a safe, comfortable, and inspiring learning environment for all students.

Culture Building: Your gifts promote a culture of generosity within the STE family that strengthens our bond and shared purpose. 

Mission Fulfillment: Your contributions directly align with our mission.

We greatly appreciate your partnership in fulfilling our mission!

Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School could not operate on tuition alone without making significant changes. Charitable gifts are a necessary part of every independent school’s healthy financial profile. Without them, it would be more difficult to maintain essentials like low student-to-teacher ratios, faculty and curriculum development, improved technology, library resources, a thriving arts program, and athletic equipment. While tuition is an essential source of revenue and covers the majority of our costs, we rely on the charitable contributions to our Saint Thomas’ Fund to cover approximately 10% of our annual operating budget. These Saint Thomas’ Fund donations are vital to bridge the gap and ensure that we can continue providing outstanding education, maintaining our facilities, and supporting our mission. Your support, along with that of other generous donors, plays a crucial role in sustaining and enriching our school community.

While it’s true that if operating independent schools were more like big businesses it might allow them to charge the full cost without relying on charitable contributions, there are important factors to consider:

Non-Profit Status: Unlike a business that aims to earn a profit, STE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution with the goal of fulfilling our mission and providing students with the very best educational experience possible each year. Unlike tuition, charitable contributions to STE are tax-deductible for donors, allowing them to reduce their taxable income and potentially lower their overall tax liability while supporting a worthy cause that aligns with their personal beliefs and values.

Educational Quality: By nature, high-quality schools are labor-intensive and people-oriented. Maintaining a high standard of education often requires investments in facilities, faculty, and resources beyond what tuition can cover. Charitable contributions bridge this gap and enhance the overall educational experience.

Accessibility: One of the key principles of many independent schools, including Saint Thomas’, is to provide an education that is accessible to a diverse range of students. Charging the full cost of education without any form of tuition assistance or scholarship opportunities made possible through charitable contributions could make education unattainable for some families.

Voluntary Giving: Charitable contributions come from the faith, generosity, and goodwill of the STE community, which includes parents, grandparents, alumni parents, friends of STE, local businesses, and alumni. This sense of community and shared responsibility strengthens the school’s culture and mission.

Ideally, current families will consider STE as one of their top philanthropic priorities. Our school has fewer supporters than older/larger PreK-12 independent schools or universities with a large alumni base; therefore, it is even more critical to have a higher percentage of current families as supporters.

Saint Thomas’ Fund gifts range from under $100 to over $20,000. We encourage families to consider giving to The Tartan Society if they are able. With levels at $1000 to $15,000 or more, these leadership gifts ensure that we raise the necessary funds for our students above and beyond what tuition covers to support our programs, faculty, and facilities.

As for the impact of your gift, every contribution, regardless of its size, can make a significant difference. When combined with gifts from other donors, your contribution becomes part of a larger pool of resources, collectively making a substantial impact on the school’s budget. If you’re unsure about the amount, consider starting small and gradually increasing over time as your financial situation allows.

Finally, your gift fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among school families, alumni, and supporters. The amount you give is a personal decision, and every gift, no matter the size, plays a vital role in sustaining and enriching Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School. Your contribution contributes to the school’s success, mission, and the educational experience of all students.

Direct gifts to the Saint Thomas’ Fund are the most flexible and immediate way to provide financial support to the school. Your direct gift will have an immediate impact on STE’s students, faculty, and campus.

Our seasonal fundraising events provide opportunities for community engagement and generate additional revenue for the school through business and personal sponsorships, in-kind gifts of goods or services to be sold/auctioned, and other sales/profits. Participation in each event is a social and enjoyable way to support STE that builds relationships between parents and supporters, enhancing our overall parent and student life experience.

Each year our goal is for every family at STE to make a direct gift and participate/attend one or more events as they are able. What’s most important is your willingness to contribute and support STE in a way that aligns with your values and capabilities. You may also consider discussing your gift or sponsorship options with the school’s development office for personalized guidance.

Yes! STE is grateful to the corporations that support us through generous matching gift programs. Please ask your employer about matching gift programs that support PreK–12 schools. This is a great way to increase your gift as well. Even if STE is not currently registered with your employer’s matching gift program, you can often request that the school be added to the list of eligible organizations. This can be a proactive step in facilitating matching gift contributions from your employer.

Yes, please consider giving to the Saint Thomas’ Fund or making charitable contributions to Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School even if you receive tuition assistance. Giving back to the school, even in a modest way, is a meaningful expression of gratitude for the financial assistance your family receives. It demonstrates your appreciation for the opportunity your child has to attend the school and makes a positive impact in the following ways:

Paying It Forward: Your contribution can help provide financial assistance to other families in need, ensuring that more students can benefit from the excellent education and opportunities provided by STE.

Strengthening the Community: Charitable giving fosters a sense of community and shared giving among all school families, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Impact Beyond Tuition: Your gift can support various aspects of the school, such as academic programs, faculty development, and facility improvements, which benefit all students, including those receiving tuition assistance.

Building a Tradition and Culture of Giving: By giving, you set an example for your child about the importance of philanthropy and practicing generosity.

It’s important to note that the amount you give should be comfortable for your family within your financial means. Every contribution, regardless of its size, can make a difference and help strengthen our mission and the educational experience it offers to all students. Your willingness to give, despite receiving tuition assistance, is a powerful way to support the school’s mission, vision, and values.