sustaining excellence - st. john's school
TRANSCRIPT
S u s t a i n i n gExcellence
a case for supportingthe Annual Fundat St. John’s School
Contents
Message from the Headmaster ........................................page 1
Margin of Excellence: St. John’s Programs ............................2
Choosing Excellence: St. John’s People ..................................4
The Cost of Excellence: St. John’s Finances ..........................6
Funding Excellence: the St. John’s Annual Fund ....................8
Exceeding Excellence: Giving Beyond the Annual Fund......10
Carrying the Legacy: St. John’s Alumni and Reunions ........12
Questions Answered ..............................................................14
Ways to Give | How Can We Help? ....................................16
ST. JOHN’S is an institution steeped in treasured and meaningful
traditions. From the first days students began walking through thesestoried cloisters, St. John’s had already established a generous philanthropic mind-set. With each passing generation, this traditionof giving back has been nurtured and strengthened. Indeed, the impressive support St. John’s receives from alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty and friends has contributed to the legacy of excellence and “exacting standards” that founding headmasterMr. Alan L. Chidsey envisioned for this remarkable place morethan six decades ago.
We greatly appreciate the support of all of our donors and pa-trons. It is no secret that St. John’s greatness has been built uponyour loyalty and belief in the School’s ability to fulfill its missionof developing “the whole person in preparation for a lifetime ofpersonal fulfillment and contribution to society.”
Headmaster Mark Desjardins
Sustaining Excellence | A Case for Supporting the Annual Fund at St. John’s School
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Mark Desjardins, Headmaster
7:1St. John’s has always emphasized people and theirrelationships as the heart of an excellent education.
That is why the average class has fewer than 15 students,and there is one faculty member for every seven studentson campus.
Selfless ServiceOver 90% of the St. John’s student
body combined for 39,015 hours of community service inHouston and around the world in 2009-2010.
83%From stage to studio, chapel to concert hall, St. John's gives students a platform to express
themselves artistically. Our fine arts programs are so popular that 83% of graduates exceed the minimum finearts requirement in high school.
130St. John’s teachers are among the most accom-plished in their fields. 130 teachers - well over
half the faculty - have earned graduate degrees.
ChampionsAn athletics program thatfields over 100 teams in 23
different sports. In 2009-2010 St. John’s won the SouthwestPreparatory Conference “Directors Cup,” which is given to the sports program with the most overall championshipteams.
Need BlindAn admissions process thatadmits students regardless
of financial need and a financial aid program that offersmaximum assistance to all qualified students.
72An admissions program committed to forming a diverse and inclusive student body reflective of the
city of Houston. In 2010-2011, the St. John’s student bodyrepresents 72 different zip codes in the Houston-area.
HonorAn Honor Code as old as the Schoolthat values honesty and respect both
inside and outside the classroom.
Faith and VirtueSt. John’s K-12 chapel
program has stood the test of time, combining a reverencefor sacred tradition with a respect for different faiths through a diverse and age-appropriate selection of worldviews.
50%For more than a decade, over half the St. John’ssenior class have been recognized as a National
Merit “semi-finalist” or “commended” scholar.
28St. John’s beautiful 28-acre campus features top-rate facilities devoted to teaching, learning,
studying, playing, exploring, and growing together – all situated in the heart of the nation’s fourth-largest city.
Liberal ArtsA curriculum designed to train students to think
deeply, learn independently, and communicate in a globalcontext. Courses include: Latin Literature, Chinese, Historyof the Modern Middle East, Digital Applications, History of Christianities, and Sports Literature.
97%St. John’s teachers and staff are so supportive ofthe School mission that nearly all of them elect to
donate to the Annual Fund - even after their long hours andoutstanding service in our classrooms, studios, and playingfields.
TraditionMrs. Mulligan’s Birthday, Field Day, Candlelight, Big
Bend, Grandparents Day, and the rivalry with Kinkaid are just a few of the ways St. John’s has created a unique culture that is precious to our alumni and their families.
St. john’s is ...Annual giving to St. John’s funds programs essential to developing the “whole person.”
Without the Annual Fund, St. John’s would be forced to curtail or cease offering programs
and features such as these:
a margin of Excellence2
SciencesA curriculum designed
to prepare students to
excel on the cutting edge of scientific research
or any math-related field. Courses include:
Microbiology, Differential Equations, Astronomy,
Organic Chemistry, Multivariable Calculus,
and Science Research and Design.
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George Bailey ’12George sits onthe Houston
Mayor’s Youth Council where he was appointed for his ex-tensive community service and extracurricular accomplish-ments including founding the St. John’s microfinance club,which raises support for entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Sam ChambersWhen Sam Chambersstarted coaching
lacrosse at St. John’s in 1992, most thought it was a funnyeast-coast sport that would never last in Texas. Today kidsall over the Houston area are playing the funny east coastsport and most of them have attended one of Coach Chambers’ camps.
Sherlyn Galarza ’11Sherlyn is one of
several students to have engaged in heavy-hitting summer-time research at the Texas Medical Center and the Pitts-burgh Cancer Center. What sets her apart is doing thatresearch while helping out with her younger siblings as her mother works to support the family.
Gothard Reck ’11Gothard cameto Houston
with thousands of other residents of New Orleans whenHurricane Katrina devastated that city in 2005. Despite the destruction behind him, Gothard has poured his time intobuilding, most notably leading projects with Habitat forHumanity, Ronald McDonald House, and an antique warehouse back in the Big Easy.
Alice KagiSt. John’s students demand muchof their instructors, and few fac-
ulty have delivered with greater longevity and enthusiasmthan biology teacher Mrs. Kagi. She has held virtuallyevery teaching honor at the School including the M.D. Anderson Chair in Science.
Justise Winslow ’14St. John’sis famous
for high-flying academic talent, and Justise adds to the picture as one of the top-rated under-18 basketball playersin the country. He was a YouTube sensation when hedunked at 13 years old and recently led St. John’s to its first SPC Basketball Championship since 1979.
Dan HavelSt. John’s fine arts faculty don’t just teach their crafts, they
practice them. Fifteen year veteran Havel’s art installationsaround the city of Houston have gained him national renown.
Mariam Matin ’11The 2010-11 Editor in Chief
of The Review spent her last two summers volunteering as acommunications coordinator for Roshni Academy, a schoolin Delhi that offers vocational training to girls from India’spoorest classes.
Lamar “Skip” LeeSt. John’s alumni remember their
teachers as first-rate instructors, but they also rememberthem as mentors and friends. During his almost 40 years atSt. John’s, Lee coached, taught and mentored a generation of future leaders and lifetime friends.
Reshena Liao ’11St. John’s resident“all-state” string
musician went “all nation” in 2009 when she joined 24 otheryoung violinists from around the country in the New YorkString Orchestra Seminar and played in Carnegie Hall.
Ruth BellowsDr. Bellows was recently named the
Elkins Family Chair in English. Whether explicating John Dryden for seniors or mentoring a younger writer, Dr. Bellows is an exemplar of St. John’s tradition of housinga university-caliber faculty in the Storied Cloisters.
St. john’s is ...Annual giving to St. John’s supports students and faculty who leave a distinct impression,
and, in turn, promote the unique culture of the School. Almost 80% of St. John’s annual
budget goes toward St. John’s people in the form of salaries, benefits and financial aid.
Indeed, the School directs its philanthropic gifts toward its greatest gifts in the students
and teachers. Here are profiles of just a few of the outstanding people you will find in the
“Storied Cloisters” of St. John’s:
choosing Excellence4
Alan Lake ChidseyThe School’sfounding
headmaster brought the expectations of an east-coast board-ing school to a gulf-coast day school. A true “renaissanceman,” Mr. Chidsey embodied the principles of St. John’s that are still alive today.
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the cost of excellence ...
Understanding St. John’s finances is the
first step to understanding its need for
financial support. Within the total picture
of St. John’s finances, the Annual Fund is
the only source of immediately-available,
flexible funds besides tuition.
PEOPLE-FOCUSED COSTS
S t. John’s spends just over $30 million each year to
pay teachers, maintain facilities, offer financial aid,
buy equipment, and do all the other things necessary
to make school life possible. Almost 80% of that
$30 million is devoted to people in the form of salaries
and benefits or financial aid. The bottom line: St. John’s
is expensive because it is a people-focused School.
Programs, curriculum, technology, and facilities will
change over time, but people remain the greatest
investment in our efforts to create a life-changing
educational experience.
COVERING THE COST
P ut simply, St. John’s could not operate without
generous support from alumni, parents, grandparents,
faculty and friends. The School’s mission would be
compromised if the $30 million needed to run St. John’s
came from tuition alone. At this point, almost 20% of
St. John’s annual budget comes from gifts in either of
two forms: the endowment or Annual Fund.
EXPENSES
Salaries & Benefits ........................$21,122,380................70%
Financial Aid ....................................$2,242,334..................8%
Plant ..................................................$1,988,519..................7%
Student Support Services ................$1,731,639..................6%
Departmental ..................................$1,204,877..................4%
General Administration ......................$743,727..................2%
Debt Services ......................................$778,548..................2%
Technology ..........................................$470,574..................1%
Total Expenses ......................$30,282,598 ..........100%
70%
8%
7%
4%
6%
2%2%
1%
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Most schools have three sources of annual income:
tuition, earnings from an endowment, and annual giving.
Because St. John’s is focused on teaching and not “profit-
making”, side enterprises like concessions, ticket sales,
and the bookstore are relatively limited in their scope.
Moreover, as a 501c3 non-profit organization, St. John’s
pours all of its income back into the costs associated
with delivering an excellent education for our students.
This year, St. John’s will cover roughly 83% of its
costs with TUITION. As support from philanthropic giving
grows, especially from the Annual Fund, the School will
be able to limit tuition increases and keep this figure as
low as possible.
St. John’s ENDOWMENT covers nearly 9% of its
yearly costs. The endowment is a fund consisting of gifts
made to the School over its 65 year history. These gifts
have been wisely invested to ensure that the School will
be financially sustainable for the future. While the total
endowment fund is currently over $50 million, only a
small portion of that money is available to the School
each year. The School will continue to draw a portion
of its annual income from the endowment fund with the
hope that as the fund grows, it can cover a greater
percentage of our annual costs and keep tuition low.
The same is true of the ANNUAL FUND, which will
provide nearly 8% of the budget this year. The Annual
Fund has a direct bearing on the quality of St. John’s
excellent education and the price of tuition. Because
there are restrictions on how endowment money can be
used, Annual Fund gifts are the highest philanthropic
priority of St. John’s each year.
St. John’s Finances
REVENUES
Tuition & Other Income ................$25,149,960 ................83%
Endowment ....................................$2,724,008 ..................9%
Annual Fund*..................................$2,408,630 ..................8%
Total Income ........................$30,282,598 ............100%
* Annual Fund dollars raised in 2008-2009 and expended in 2009-2010.
83%
9%
8%
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funding excellence ...
the St. John’s Annual Fund
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
St. John’s Annual Fund gifts allow donors to make an
immediate impact on the School’s margin of excellence.
Currently, the annual cost of a St. John’s education is
significantly greater than the price of tuition. As the costs
associated with providing a first-rate education rise, which they
invariably do, Annual Fund dollars allow the School to close
the gap between affordable tuition rates and the total cost.
A “PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP”
F or the School’s budgeting purposes, Annual Fund
dollars operate almost identically to tuition dollars.
Therefore, they have a direct impact on the price of tuition
at St. John’s. A tax-deductible dollar given to the Annual
Fund is a dollar that does not need to be covered by tuition.
In fact, one might say that every student receives a “partial
scholarship” to attend St. John’s since Annual Fund dollars
cover a part of each student’s experience. Without these
essential funds, tuition would be at least $1500 more
per student per year. It is precisely for this reason that
St. John’s strives to grow its Annual Fund each year.
FLEXIBILITY
As mentioned earlier, the St. John’s Annual Fund
provides the only philanthropic source of flexible-use
funding for the School. Annual Fund dollars are applied
across the budget, helping to recruit and retain faculty, pro-
vide financial aid, maintain facilities, and buy equipment.
By contrast, endowment funds, which are the other source
of non-tuition funding, are often restricted in their use.
Annual Fund gifts also optimize flexibility since they are
available to the School in their entirety. Because endowment
funds are invested, they require maintenance fees and can
only yield a percentage of the principle gift toward School
costs. By contrast, 100% of Annual Fund gifts go directly
to pay for the School’s greatest needs.
A MEASURE OF EXCELLENCE
Annual Fund giving is a benchmark of excellence for
schools like St. John’s. Foundations and corporations
regularly look at annual giving to determine how much they
will give to a school. Peer schools also look to St. John’s as
a model for sustaining excellence through a community of
supporters who give annually.
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
St. John’s shows its gratitude for Annual Fund gifts primarily
by using those gifts to create a life-changing educational
experience for our children year after year. Apart from being
good stewards of these gifts, the School attempts to say
“thank you” in a publicly meaningful way called the “Annual
Report on Giving.” Each donor who wishes to be included is
recognized in the Annual Report. Special attention is given to
recognizing the following significant levels of support:
Associates ..................................up to $249
Education Partners ......................$250-$499
Lamplighters ..............................$500-$999
Circle of Excellence ..............$1,000-$2,499
Dean’s Circle ........................$2,500-$4,999
Headmaster’s Circle ..............$5,000-$9,999
Founder’s Circle................$10,000-$24,999
Claremont Circle ..............$25,000-$49,999
1946 Society ....................$50,000 & above
Donors who give at the $2,500 level and above are
further recognized in the St. John’s Quadrangle Club. The
extraordinary commitment of Quadrangle Club members
accounts for over 75% of all Annual Fund giving.
For these reasons and more, a gift to the Annual Fund is the
first and most important gift we ask of every alumnus, parent,
grandparent, faculty member, and friend. Each year, members
from every part of the St. John’s community show care for the
School with gifts large and small to the Annual Fund.
While there are several ways to fund St. John’s excellence, the Annual Fund remains the
School’s philanthropic priority. Maintaining a strong Annual Fund is the only way for
St. John’s to immediately cover costs while keeping tuition at a minimum level.
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75%The extraordinary commitment of
Quadrangle Club members accounts
for over 75% of all Annual Fund giving.
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exceeding excellence ...
THE CHIDSEY SOCIETY
Some of St. John’s most meaningful gifts have come in the
form of bequests. In 1993, the Board of Trustees created
the Alan Lake Chidsey Society to recognize those special
individuals who have included St. John’s in their estate
plans. If you have made a provision in your will that benefits
St. John’s, please contact the Advancement Office so that
they can welcome you to membership in the Chidsey Society
and inform you of events in your honor.
St. John’s can also work with donors to create a plan for
giving that benefits both the School and the donor. Whether
you are simply looking to maximize an income tax deduction
or would like to explore giving options that generate income
for you and your family, St. John’s can work with donors
and their financial advisors to create multiple legacies of
excellence. For more information about planned giving,
call Director of Advancement Mark Dini: 713.850.4120
CAPITAL GIFTS
E ach year, the School’s advancement committee
approves a list of capital needs that have been
identified by administrators. These needs are eligible for
funding without further approval. Gifts for any other
capital improvement must be approved before funding
commences. The School strongly encourages a commit-
ment of at least $5,000 by a single donor to contribute
toward capital needs. To learn more about the current
approved capital needs or to discuss making a capital
gift, call Director of Advancement Mark Dini:
713.850.4120
All endowment and capital gifts can be pledged and
payed out over a set term in agreement with the School.
NON-ANNUAL FUND GIFTS
While Annual Fund giving is the philanthropic priority for St. John’s, the School in no way discourages gifts to
the endowment or major gifts made for capital improvements and other restricted purposes. For individuals or
classes interested in making an endowment or capital gift to the School, certain guidelines have been adopted by the
Advancement Committee to ensure that such gifts are in keeping with the School’s mission and current needs. A general
description of these alternative giving options and their guidelines can be found below. For more thorough information
about making an Endowment, Capital or Restricted gift, please contact Director of Advancement, Mark Dini.
up to $24,999 ........................gift is applied to unrestricted endowment
$25,000 & above....................gift can be named and unrestricted in use
$50,000 & above....................gift can be named and restricted in use
$300,000 & above..................gift can create a named scholarship fund
$750,000 & above..................gift can create a master teacher award
$1 million & above................gift can create a faculty chair
ENDOWMENT GIFTS
W hile Annual Fund remains the best
way to maximize a gift’s impact on
the School today, gifts may be made to the
St. John’s endowment in any amount. Most
endowment gifts tend to be large, and the
School recognizes them according to the
following scale:
giving beyond the Annual Fund10
71,524St. John’s is home to three libraries
with 71,524 total volumes and
34 online reference databases that house over
6 million academic periodicals.
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carrying the legacy ...St. John’s alumni understand the value of a St. John’s education in the most personal
terms. Each year, we ask alumni - and reunion classes in particular - to lead the St. John’s
community by making meaningful gifts to the School that invested so much in them.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Every student who passes through St. John’s represents an
investment made by parents, teachers, and a wider com-
munity of generous people who give to the School. While the
benefits of a St. John’s education are many and far reaching,
the investment remains a fairly simple formula of talented
children, concerned people, and generous resources aligned
for a noble mission. As alumni reap the benefits of this com-
munity investment, the School depends on their involvement
to sustain its legacy of excellence.
In particular, St. John’s asks its alumni to become a part
of the investment themselves by giving to the School of their
time, abilities, and resources.
PARTICIPATION IS PARAMOUNT
Alumni involvement in School life is absolutely critical to
the health and mission of St. John’s. The School needs
alumni to return as teachers and staff, to volunteer with
community service projects, to consult for strategic planning
initiatives, to cheer at sporting events, and to serve on
School-related committees. While opportunities for alumni
involvement are difficult to quantify - and levels of such in-
volvement even more difficult - alumni giving remains a sure
indicator of alumni support for the School and its mission.
This is why the School asks alumni to consider making an
Annual Fund gift of any size each year.
When it comes to alumni Annual Fund giving, participa-
tion is paramount. The school does not consider total dollars
raised by alumni so much as the total number of alumni who
give each year. Last year, 28% of alumni gave to the Annual
Fund, up from 24% the previous year. This year, the School
hopes to reach 135 new alumni donors, which would amount
to 31% alumni participation in the Annual Fund.
REUNIONS LEAD THE WAY
St. John’s encourages alumni to reunite with their class
every five years after graduation. A reunion year is a time
to celebrate friendships, shared experiences, and achieve-
ments through St. John’s. It is a time to reconnect with the
people and places that shaped our lives. Reunions also mark
an opportunity for classmates to band together and make a
special statement of care for St. John’s.
Reunion classes have historically made some of the most
significant contributions to the School. In the past, classes
gave everything from scoreboards to benches to art installa-
tions during their reunions. These are meaningful and gener-
ous gifts to St. John’s and they will remain a source of class
pride as long as they stand. At this point in the life of the
School, St. John’s is ill-equipped to accept capital gifts like
the ones mentioned above without special consent from the
advancement committee. Annual Fund giving has become
the best way for a reunion class to show care for the School
because it has the most direct impact on the student experi-
ence. St. John’s encourages reunion classes to participate in
the Annual Fund at an exemplary level as a sign of class
spirit and support for the School’s mission.
Currently, St. John’s supports reunion classes by coordi-
nating with class leaders to plan their reunion events. The
School pays for invitations and provides a small amount for
the reunion events themselves. Helping lead a class reunion
is one of the most meaningful ways our alumni can serve the
School and the School is eager to aid in the process.
St. John’s Alumni & Reunions12
135Last year, 28% of alumni gave to the Annual Fund,
up from 24% the previous year. This year, the School
hopes to reach 135 new alumni donors, which would amount
to 31% alumni participation in the Annual Fund.
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questions ...
WHY DOES ST. JOHN’S COST SO MUCH?
St. John’s costs are high because it is a people-focused
school. The low student to faculty ratio K-12 equals a
significant line item for salaries and benefits in the St. John’s
budget. Ensuring that our faculty and staff are the highest
quality means further expenses to retain excellence.
St. John’s also devotes a great deal of its annual budget
to financial aid for deserving students.
Costs also grow because there is an increasing amount
the School must do to prepare students for a globally
focused society. When St. John’s added Chinese, computer
science, or microbiology to the curriculum, the School did
not discontinue Latin, geometry, or Biology I. Growth in
teaching and learning means growth in teachers, equipment,
technology, books, and even facilities. St. John’s has
always been devoted to educating the “whole child’
and the demands of such an education are increasing.
HOW DOES ST. JOHN’S COVER ITS COSTS?
M ost of the School’s costs (83% in 2009-2010) are
covered by tuition. The rest is funded through tax-
deductible giving. In 2009-2010, 9% of St. John’s costs were
covered by the School’s endowment and 8% were covered
by the Annual Fund. The Board of Trustees carefully
oversees the balance between these three sources of
funding to make sure that tuition rates remain affordable.
ARE YOU SAYING THAT TUITION DOESN’TCOVER EVERYTHING?
T hat’s right. The cost of a St. John’s education is higher
than what the School charges for tuition. That is why we
say each St. John’s student receives a “partial scholarship.”
TUITION IS EXPENSIVE – WHY NOT JUST CHARGEA LITTLE MORE AND COVER ALL YOUR COSTS?
T uition would cost an average of around $5,000 more
per student if it were the only source of School funding.
That is no small increase. If you were to divide the total cost
of running St. John’s for a year by the total number of
students, the cost-per-student would be just over $24,000.
Currently, St. John’s Upper School tuition is $19,365.
Lower School tuition is $15,706.
Since the gap between tuition and cost-per-student is
covered by tax-deductible gifts, the cost of a tuition-only
approach would be even greater for our families.
Endowment and Annual Fund giving are essential to
keeping a St. John’s education affordable.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE “ENDOWMENT?”
T he endowment is large fund made up of charitable gifts
that was created when the School was founded. Unlike
Annual Fund gifts, which are spent to cover the School’s
budget, endowment gifts are invested. Ideally, the endow-
ment will grow steadily over time as gifts are wisely invested
and new endowment gifts are added. Some very old schools
have endowments that exceed $100 million. Although it is
a relatively young school, St. John’s is blessed to have over
$50 million in its endowment. The Board of Trustees allows
a small portion of the endowment to be spent on School
costs each year. As the endowment grows, more endowment
money will be available to cover School costs and that
means tuition can remain affordable.
THE ENDOWMENT IS HUGE – WHY CAN’TIT PAY ALL OF ST. JOHN’S COSTS?
M any people mistakenly think of endowments like
a school checking account. In fact, there are rules
St. John’s must follow, laid down in the School bylaws and
by each donor who makes a gift to the endowment. Only a
small portion of the endowment can be spent in a given year.
If the endowment were to cover 20% of School costs today,
it would likely only cover less than 5% a decade from now.
That means tuition would rise even as the cost of education
reached new heights. The Board of Trustees employs a strict
spending policy that preserves the size of the endowment for
the future. To be sure, the endowment is a valuable asset, but
its primary purpose is to create long-term financial stability
and keep tuition affordable.
Another constraint on endowment spending is from
the donors themselves. Each donor who gives more than
$50,000 to the endowment (and thankfully, many generous
people have!) has the option to restrict where the funds are
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applied. This is what the School calls a “restricted gift,”
and within the total endowment there are dozens of them.
St. John’s is legally and morally bound to use each restricted
fund as the donor wishes. So, for example, yield from an
endowment fund that is restricted toward scholarships could
not be spent to purchase new computers. St. John’s is blessed
to have a healthy endowment, but flexibility in spending is
not its purpose. That is why the Annual Fund, which does
allow flexible spending, is so critical to the mission of
St. John’s.
DO I HAVE TO GIVE TO ANNUAL FUND BEFOREMAKING A GIFT TO THE ENDOWMENT OR A
CAPITAL GIFT?
N o. However, the most impactful gifts for today’s
students are those made to Annual Fund. Annual
Fund provides the only source of immediately-available,
flexible-use funding besides tuition. Therefore, the School
encourages donors to consider participating in the Annual
Fund before considering a gift toward the endowment or
capital expenses.
DOES ALL THIS GIVING REALLY BENEFIT STUDENTS?
It really does. There is no aspect of School life that is not
funded in some way through annual giving. Everything
from salaries to scholarships, team jerseys to test-tubes is
covered partly by Annual Fund gifts. Financially speaking,
a student’s St. John’s education is at least 8% better because
of the generosity of Annual Fund donors.
DOES ALUMNI GIVING REALLY MATTER - I MEAN,SHOULDN’T CURRENT PARENTS TAKE CARE OF THEANNUAL FUND SINCE THEIR CHILDREN ARE THE
ONES WHO BENEFIT?
L ast year, alumni giving made up over half a million
dollars, or one fifth of the entire Annual Fund. Current
parents certainly contribute generously to the Annual Fund,
but they should by no means be the only ones to contribute,
especially since they also pay tuition. St. John’s depends on
all of its community members to invest in the continued
excellence of the School.
THE NUMBERS ARE ALL SO BIG - DO SMALL GIFTSREALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
T hey do. Besides making a strong statement of support
for St. John’s and its mission, small gifts make up a
considerable portion of the total Annual Fund each year.
Consider: if every St. John’s alumnus gave just $20 a month
to the Annual Fund, the School would have $1.2 million -
half of the Annual Fund goal! It would take millions of
dollars of endowment to generate that much for the School’s
operating budget.
DO GIFTS TO THE “QUADRANGLE CLUB” COUNT TOWARD THE ANNUAL FUND?
Q uadrangle Club gifts are Annual Fund gifts. The
Quadrangle Club simply recognizes donors who
make an extraordinary commitment to the Annual Fund.
Specifically, a gift of $2,500 or more qualifies a person for
the Quadrangle Club. Such gifts made up over 75% of the
total Annual Fund last year.
DO I NEED TO GIVE TWO GIFTS TO GETCREDIT AS AN ALUM AND A PARENT?
No. For example, if you were an alumna, parent, and
a parent of alumni, you would only need to give once
to be recognized for all three of those constituencies in the
Annual Report. You could also choose to be recognized for
just one of those constituencies. Anonymous gifts are also
accepted.
WHEN DO I NEED TO GIVE TO BE RECOGNIZEDIN THE ANNUAL REPORT?
St. John’s fiscal year runs from July 1 - June 30, so gifts
made on or before June 30 will be recognized in the
next Annual Report on Giving.
If you have a specific question about giving to St. John’s,
please contact Director of Advancement Mark Dini:
713.850.4120; [email protected]
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how can we help?
Mark E. Dini, CFRE
Director of Advancement
Caroline Baum
Assistant to the
Director of Advancement
Mandy Nebeker
Alumni Manager
Kyle Parrish
Donor Relations
Coordinator
Sarah Bracewell
Publications Coordinator
Karen Lievre
Gift Coordinator
Dawsey Romero
Annual Fund Manager
Matt Snively
Web Communications
Coordinator
The members of the St. John’s Office of Advancement are happy to assist you with any questions youmay have regarding the Annual Fund, giving to St. John’s, or how to get involved at St. John’s.
Special thanks go to the advancement offices at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH and The Harvard-Westlake School,
Los Angeles, CA for the inspiration and - in some cases - specific language of this document.
ways to give
PHONESt. John’s accepts MasterCard, VISA,American Express, and Discover cardsover the phone. To give over thephone, call Annual Fund ManagerDawsey Romero: 713.850.4026
WEBSITEDonations can be accepted by creditcard online. www.sjs.org/support/give
EMAILEmail your Annual Fund pledge and St. John’s will send you pledge reminders. Email pledges must originate from the specific donor and should include a specific dollaramount. Email Dawsey Romero:[email protected]
MATCHING GIFTSPlease check with your employer tosee if they will match part or all ofyour gift to St. John’s Annual Fund.
RECURRING GIFTS/INSTALLMENTSGive monthly through Online Bill Pay at your bank. Simply establish St. John’s School as a new “payee,” designate “Annual Fund” in the memo and set to automatically recur.
ANNUAL FUND CLASSREP/PARENT REPAlumni and Parents can contact theirrespective Annual Fund Representa-tives, who are equipped to take AnnualFund gifts. To find out about becomingan Annual Fund Representative, contact Dawsey Romero:[email protected]; 713.850.4026
IN PERSONThe Advancement Office would be delighted to receive and thank you for your gift personally. The office islocated on the 2nd floor of the FarishQuadrangle, room 212.
MAILChecks or pledge forms can be mailed to the School:St. John’s SchoolOffice of Advancement 2401 Claremont LaneHouston, TX 77019
GIFTS OF STOCKInstruct your broker to make an electronic stock gift using the following delivery instructions:Raymond James & AssociatesAttn: Beverly DawsonEmail: [email protected] 0725, Account # 14903014Please allow five business days for delivery.
Please advise St. John’s of any intended transfers by emailing Karen Lievre: [email protected]
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Our Mission
S t. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school presenting
a 13-year sequence of college preparatory training. A non-profit
institution, it was founded in 1946 to provide the community with a
school of exacting standards in the development of individual, spiritual,
ethical, intellectual, social, and physical growth. While the means to
achieve that purpose may change, it remains the basic mission of
the School.
The School seeks to develop the whole person in preparation for a
lifetime of personal fulfillment and contribution to society. In particu-
lar, it is dedicated to the enhancement and the expansion of future
leadership for Houston and the country. The School offers talented,
motivated, and energetic students a genuine challenge for academic
accomplishment and for development of a sense of self-worth and of
personal responsibility. The School in turn holds itself responsible
for providing that challenge.
2401 Claremont Lane, Houston Texas 77019-5897, 713.850.0222 | www.sjs.org