The Annual Fund
What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is a component of DePaul Catholic High School operating budget that supports the financial shortfall between tuition and the actual cost of educating a student. All Catholic and private schools across the nation operate annually knowing this shortfall (or gap) exists, and implement a fundraising initiative The Annual Fund Drive to help close the gap.
Why Support The Annual Fund?
Gifts to the Annual Fund at DePaul Catholic directly impact a student's daily life.
The Annual Fund ensures that:
- We attract, retain, and support great Faculty
- We continue to have small student/faculty ratios, remaining Large Enough to Challenge and Small Enough to Care
- We maintain a safe and progressive learning environment
- New and enhanced programs are provided throughout the year
- Financial assistance is available for qualified students
Frequently Asked Questions
We pay tuition. If the money is needed, why not simply raise tuition?
DePaul Catholic needs to compete and thrive in the healthy Catholic school environment of Bergen and Passaic counties. Using this traditional method of fundraising, we ensure that DePaul Catholic is accessible and competitive and constantly moving forward. An added benefit is that while tuition is not tax-deductible, gifts to the Annual Fund are!
Why do I keep hearing that participation is so important with the Annual Fund Drives each year?
Participation is as important as the amount donated and is the greatest way to demonstrate your confidence in the Mission and Programs at DePaul Catholic. Foundations, corporations and outside friends look to see how the current parent population feels about the mission. Supporting the Annual Fund provides an indicator of how supportive current parents are with how the mission is being delivered and 100% participation is the ideal message. Foundations and Corporations, in particular, will ask for the participation level in determining if a grant should be made. Participation helps foster more donations!
What is Employer Gift Matching?
Many companies will match the charitable gifts made by their employees. This is an ideal way for donors to make their donations increase, and get recognized at higher donation levels. Simply ask your company's human resources office for a matching gift form, and we will do the rest!
How much Financial Assistance does DePaul Catholic provide? Is it typical?
DePaul Catholic provides nearly 70% of the student body with financial assistance which is more than other Catholic schools in our regional area. Financial Assistance is an important feature to all schools and aligns well with the mission of DePaul Catholic and St. Vincent DePaul. If a student has the capacity to meet the academic rigor of DePaul Catholic and the only thing holding them back from realizing their potential through DePaul Catholic is tuition, it is appropriate to offer this assistance and help make God's world a better place through these students.
Do you only ask current parents to support DePaul Catholic?
No. Support is requested of current parents, grandparents, past parents, past grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations, and friends of DePaul Catholic. Our mission is too important and all avenues of support are explored.
I gave at the Beefsteak or Casino Night. Is this the Annual Fund?
No. These events are always built around a particular set of needs that are typically capital related. For example, the Beefsteak supports all athletic programs and the Casino Night supports the growth of our Academic Programs and Faculty Professional Development.
We contribute to the Booster Club for our child's sport. Is this the Annual Fund?
No. Booster Club fundraising goes directly to the sport. However, by making a restricted gift to the Annual Fund for a particular sport serves the same purpose and counts toward the overall goals of the Annual Fund.
How can I donate to the Annual Fund?
All donations to the Annual Fund are fully tax-deductible. Gifts can be made by mailing a check to the Advancement Office, donating online at www.depaulcatholic.org (Make a Gift) or by contacting our Advancement Office at any time.
