Annual Fund
Tuition and fees cover only 88 percent of the cost of a Saint Mark’s School education. Without the funds raised by the Annual Fund and other parent fundraising, there would be a significant shortfall per student between tuition income and operating expenses. These expenses include teachers’ salaries, technology development, curricular materials, financial aid, and facilities maintenance. The Annual Fund helps bridge this gap and keeps tuition down, ensuring that a Saint Mark’s education is accessible to a more diverse population. As a charitable donation, it also enables parents to deduct some of the cost of their children’s education.
The goal for the 2007–2008 Annual Fund, led by parent co-chairs Bonnie Kirkpatrick and Len Galla, is to raise $500,000.
The Annual Fund is the single most important fundraiser the school does each year. It allows Saint Mark’s to maintain and enhance our programs.
Some highlights include:
- Small classes taught by exceptional teachers, many of whom have been at the school for 20-plus years
- Music, art, and drama as part of the core curriculum
- A comprehensive technology program, including 150 computers, a mobile laptop cart, digital projectors in many classrooms, a state of the art Media Center, and an award-winning Media Literacy program
- Physical education every day to develop physical fitness and instill a love of exercise
- Extracurricular clubs like Chess, Mathletes, Choir, and Band
- Foreign language for every student K-8
- An excellent high school placement record
- Cross-grade and whole-school spirit activities
- Two annual drama productions staged in Marin Center’s Showcase Theatre
- Median test scores in the 91st percentile nationally for Verbal Reasoning and the 94th percentile nationally for Quantitative Reasoning
- Eleven athletic teams in five different sports
- Extensive Outdoor Education programs for grades 3-8
The Annual Fund includes voluntary, tax-deductible donations from parents, trustees, faculty, staff, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and friends. The Annual Fund is co-chaired by two current parents, who make an appeal to all Saint Mark’s constituents to support the daily operations of the school.
Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference. Gifts in this school year have ranged from $10 to $20,000. When foundations and corporations consider grant applications, they want to know the percentage of giving participation from Saint Mark’s parents, alumni, and friends. It strengthens our case when those closest to the school support it. Your participation, no matter the size of the gift, sends a strong message to our community and to others that parents believe in this institution and its educational program.
Each year's Annual Fund campaign follows the school's fiscal year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30 the following year.
You may make a credit card donation via the Web at our Online Giving page.
All gifts are tax deductible. The 2007–2008 Annual Fund closes June 30, 2008. Please accept our warmest thanks for your contribution. You will receive an acknowledgement for your gift in the mail.
Thank you for your support!
