Please read this important message.
Tuition fees pay for the operation of St. Bonaventure's College, including salaries and general operating costs like cleaning supplies, general maintenance, heat, light, telephone, insurance, etc. Tuition fees DO NOT pay for the bursary assistance program, teacher professional development or facility upgrades or improvements. Our bursary program is central to our mission and an essential and vital part of any Jesuit institution. Each year we are required to raise approximately $450,000 in order to offer the bursary program, enhance teacher professional development opportunities and improve the facilities. This $450,000 is better represented in the cost per child of $1,171.33.
Through donations and fund raising activities we raise these funds, thanks to the kind and generous support of alumni, benefactors and parents.
Our principal sources of parental support come through the Fall Gala, the Lottery and the Tribute Dinner. After much discernment, I have decided to cancel the Tribute Dinner/President's Dinner in the spring. Two dinner/auctions per year were simply overwhelming on our staff and have run their course in St. John's. We will continue with the Fall Gala as it is a community building event which is well subscribed by parents and friends of the College.
The forgoing information contextualizes why I am writing to you.
It is my intent to begin the migration of school fundraising away from event based activities to the Annual Giving Appeal.
The Annual Giving Appeal will be the cornerstone fundraising request each year from the school to the community, where we will be seeking your financial support.
I ask each of you to seriously consider this request for support and do what you can to help us reach our goal of $450,000.00 for this school year. You can donate any amount, no donation is too small, and we will be thankful for your participation and support.
This school is a special place made extraordinary for each child by offering a bursary program, employing innovative educators in facilities which enhance learning.
Faced with the demands of fundraising, I often reflect on this verse from Corinthians:
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."
I extend God's Blessing to you and your family and I look forward to hearing from you.
Peace,
Tom McGrath
President
For a copy of the Annual Giving Appeal, please click here.