Finances and Funding

• Ways to Give

• SMART Rebate Program

Tuition
Tuition rates are set annually and published in the spring for the upcoming year. Families who actively support a sponsoring parish are offered parishioner tuition rates. Other families pay non-parishioner tuition rates which cover a larger portion of the cost to educate. To make Catholic education more affordable to families, the Catholic elementary schools in school year 2005-2006 transitioned to a graduated income based tuition scale for parishioners similar to that which Hackett Catholic Central has used since the early 90's. At the same time the multiple child discount was extended to all grades K through 12.

Tuition Assistance
Although an income-based elementary tuition makes Catholic education more affordable to more families, some families may continue to need additional tuition assistance. Those families who need additional tuition assistance can apply for need-based scholarship and financial aid opportunities. All inquiries and grants for tuition assistance are kept confidential. Tuition assistance can be funded from several sources as described in the following information document.

Financial Information

To apply for tuition assistance grants funded by school sources please fill out and return the following application form.

The Bishop's Scholarship Fund created in June 2003 is a new example of this type of aid opportunity. The fund has three goals:

• Financially assist families so that their children are able to afford a Catholic school elementary education.
• Increase enrollment at our Catholic schools.
• Assist our schools in sustaining and increasing their enrollment through on-going scholarship funds.

For more information about the Bishop's Scholarship Fund please contact the Office of Schools at 269-349-8714, ext. 232, or visit the schools page on the diocesan web site http://www.dioceseofkalamazoo.org

Funding
Because tuition pays for only 20-70% of the actual cost of educating a student, providing supplemental funds is critical to the financial well-being of our schools. Contributions by parents, alumni and friends of the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) play a pivotal role in ensuring the continuation of the CSGK legacy of academic excellence and faith formation for our students.

Giving and Giving Back
The continuing challenge of every school is not only to educate students, but also to open their minds and hearts and to nurture a passion for knowledge. Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo accepts the greater challenge to instill life-giving values and faith. This challenge cannot be met without financial support. With the generosity of the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo community, our goal of making Catholic education accessible to all families who desire it for their children is within our reach.

Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo receives no government resources and limited subsidy from Kalamazoo area parishes. Therefore, private support is key to our sustenance. The Annual Fund, the most concrete expression and reminder of our community's affection for our schools, raised over $280,000 during the 2005-2006 school year in support for our schools.

The generosity of alumni, parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, parishioners and friends play a pivotal role in ensuring the continuation of the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo legacy of academic excellence and faith formation for our students. Finding support to meet the changing needs of a new generation of students is the major challenge of the Development program.

Ways to Give

• Annual Fund
  The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of giving to Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. The Annual Fund comprises unrestricted giving from all sources that support all school programs and activities. Teacher salaries, scholarship aid, library books, technology and building maintenance are all funded in part by annual giving. Our schools can put such gifts to use in areas where they are most needed.
  

• Capital Gifts
  Capital gifts are gifts specifically restricted by the donor for capital needs that include endowment funds as well as funds for construction or renovation of facilities.

• Endowment Funds
  Endowment funds ensure Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo's future as an institution of the highest quality. Gifts specified for endowment purposes can be designated to support scholarships, teacher salaries, or general purposes, as well as to fund new program development.
  

• Memorial Gifts
  A gift in memory of someone you love or admire can be a particularly meaningful way to contribute Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. A memorial gift may be made to the Annual Fund or as a capital gift and may be restricted or unrestricted.
  

• Gifts in Kind
  Non-cash gifts of property such as books, scientific equipment, technology, office equipment, and art materials also make important gifts. The fair market value of such items is deductible for income tax purposes. A formal appraisal is required by the IRS for gifts in kind valued at over $5,000.

Planned Giving

• Cash
  Your gift of cash provides immediate tax savings through deductions and provides Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo with funds for current use. Gifts may be made in the form of cash, check, VISA or MasterCard. In addition to one-time gifts, you may elect to give monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually by credit card or by being billed.
  

• Matching Gifts
  Many businesses and corporations match personal gifts made by employees, retirees and their family members.
  

• MBE Points
  You can transfer points from your account with Midwest Business Exchange to Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo to be used for goods and services needed to operate our schools.
  

• Securities
  You can make such gifts directly or through a broker, delivering your gift in person, electronically, or through the mail. For tax purposes, the value of the gift is recorded as the average market value on the date received. If transferred through a broker, the gift's value is determined by the date of transfer as recorded in the books of the corporation.

• Will
  Remembering Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo in your will is a special and effective way to ensure that the ideals you value will be perpetuated. It also reduces the taxable portion of your estate.

• Life Income Gifts
  With a life income gift, you assign cash, securities, or other assets irrevocably to Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. Your gift is then invested to pay a lifetime percentage or fixed amount to you. Income is paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Upon your death, Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo may use the assigned assets either as needed or for a specific purpose that you have designated.
  

• Life Insurance
  At a relatively low cost to you, a life insurance policy, which names Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo as beneficiary, can have a real impact.
  Legal or financial advisors can best help you determine the vehicle most advantageous and appropriate to you.
  

Kalamazoo Regional Catholic Schools Foundation
The Kalamazoo Regional Catholic Schools Foundation (KRCSF) is a tax-exempt, charitable foundation whose mission is to provide a means by which individuals and organizations can establish funds and make contributions for the benefit of Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. Formed in 1982, KRCSF currently manages twenty funds, mostly endowment funds, with combined assets of $1.6 MIL. Annually, the Foundation provides approximately $75,000 in financial assistance to our schools. The Foundation Board consists of the following:

• Sue Barnes

• Barry Bedford  

• Phil Chludzinski

• Dan DeMent

• Mary Jane Doerr

• Sam Field                                        

• Ian Kennedy 

• Rich Migala

• Joe Spoerl

• Susan Springgate

• Julie Sullivan

• Gerry Wilson

The Foundation Board seeks to grow the asset base and level of support to our schools, in keeping with Bishop Murray's April 2005 request to further develop an endowment pool that will assure that Catholic education "is available, affordable and the best that we can offer" to our Catholic community.

The Foundation provides a means by which individuals, families and organizations can provide support to our schools today and in the years to come. By establishing an endowment fund, or adding to an existing endowment fund, you help to ensure our schools' future as institutions of the highest quality. Gifts specified for endowment purposes can be designated to support scholarships, teacher salaries, or capital improvements, fund existing programs, establish new programs, or provide general purpose funds for the school.

Endowment funds restrict the Foundation to making grants from only the income generated by the established fund. The donor's initial gift is preserved, so that it continues to generate income in perpetuity. The purpose of an endowment fund is to safeguard the principal value so that the fund can continue to make grants to our schools for years to come.

View a list of current funds managed at the Foundation.

For more information contact
Development Director
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo
1000 W. Kilgore Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 381-2646

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SMART
In order to continue our Catholic schools unification process, we are introducing one common name for our Scrip Programs. The acronym SMART captures our combined effort to make money for our respective schools while also giving our Catholic school families tuition credits by participating in this highly successful program.

SMART stands for Schools Making Academic Rebates Together. We combine our community efforts for the same goal in raising funds for our schools and in helping families make Catholic education more affordable.

The SMART Program operates by purchasing gift certificates from over 100 businesses at a discount and then reselling them at face value. The profit earned is then split between the family tuition account and the school. Most all major grocery stores, service stations, restaurants and retailers participate. An order form is available through the CSGK website. The Program relies on a large volume of participation to remain successful. Elementary families at St. Augustine and St. Monica are required to purchase a combined minimum of $2,500 per year through the SMART, Meijer Community Rewards and Market Day Programs. Elementary families may choose to opt out of the SMART Program for a fee of $75.00 per family. We encourage all school families to participate. You may invite family and friends to make purchases to be applied to your family's account as well. If you have any questions, please call the SMART office at 337-6278.

Meijer replaced their certificate program with a unique program called Meijer Community Rewards. You may set up your family's Meijer Community Rewards account in the store, through the mail, or on-line. Enrollment forms are also available in the SMART Office or in the store. To enroll on-line, go to Meijer.com/rewards, fill in your information, and enter the organization code for your designated school. The codes are as follows: Hackett Catholic Central 235277, St. Augustine School 623696, and St. Monica School 307862.

The SMART office is centrally located at 4408 South Westnedge Avenue (former Michigan National Bank building) and is opened Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All school families are welcome and encouraged to participate. In addition, those families with preschool aged children who plan on a Catholic education in the future may also participate in SMART and build tuition credits to use once their child begins school.

For more information on the SMART Program, please contact Alesia Brown (269) 337-6278 or by email: csgksmart@yahoo.com

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Other Fundraising

Fundraising events foster a sense of community while supporting the financial well-being of our schools.

Major fundraisers include the Annual Shamrock Auction, Weekly Bingos, School Carnivals, a Spring Garage Sale and golf outings. (Tee up to sponsor the St.Augustine Golf Classic.)

Various clubs, associations and athletic teams conduct regular fundraising events in support of their activities.

Booster organizations sponsor many yearly activities to complement the school's academic offerings.

Volunteering
Volunteers help with many aspects of the school program and are crucial to the overall success of our schools. Opportunities include lunchroom and playground supervisor, library helper, room parent, PTO and LCAB (Local Advisory Board) officer, classroom aide, fundraising program coordinator, groundskeeping, assistant coaching, "grandparents program" and more. If you would like to volunteer, please call the school office:

Hackett Catholic Central High School 269-381-2646

St. Augustine Cathedral School 269-349-1945

St. Monica Elementary School 269-345-2444

For more information contact:
Development Director
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo
269-381-2646

Mission Statement
In partnership with parents, we provide the Kalamazoo-area community a Catholic faith-based education that focuses on high achievement, a caring environment and responsible sharing of time, talent and treasure.

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