Our Fundraisers
Coupon Book Sales
During the first few weeks of school in all three elementary schools, Springfield Catholic School’s “Pot of Gold” coupon books are sold, filled with truly useful coupons for meals, entertainment, health and fitness, a large variety of services and much more. For many years, we sold a commercially published “Entertainment Book,” but now we have developed our very own coupon book with well over one hundred coupons that boast more than $2,500 in savings! This year’s “Pot of Gold” book more than 140 coupons and, with the help of all students and families, success is inevitable. This money goes into the budget of the next fiscal year as an exact dollar figure, providing a firm amount that we can count on for that year’s operating budget, thus helping to keep tuition cost more manageable– and that’s a nice bit of security!
Emerald Evening
March 24, 2012, the University Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom will be the site of “Destination Emerald Evening” for our Eighteenth Annual Emerald Evening, an event that has not only grown into the biggest fundraising event that Springfield Catholic Schools sponsor, but has also become the biggest one-night educational fundraiser in the entire Ozarks. Our goal for “EE-XVIII” is to increase the number of participants to the event and welcome new families to our system and Catholic community. There’s no getting around the fact that Emerald Evening is the only truly “pricey” event on our annual calendar. Tickets for the Dinner/Dance/Auction(s) are $100 per person (partially tax-deductible) and optional raffle tickets for a chance to win a spectacular raffle item or CASH, are available for an additional cost. If you are an auction lover, you can spend a few more dollars while getting some great bargains by bidding on everything from mountain bikes to tickets to sports events, from multiple dinner packages to vacation condos…and the list changes each year. But because of what it accomplishes for our kids, we make no apologies for Emerald Evening’s prices. There are many other school events throughout the year with prices from $1 to $10. Simply put, the proceeds from this wonderful night pay for critical aspects of education that would be otherwise impossible to fund in the operating budget. Historically, Emerald Evening has been instrumental in providing “technology enhancement,” however, each year the Development Board reviews fundraising activities and makes decisions on the use of proceeds. Technology is always a very important part of that decision making process to ensure that our schools stay at the cutting-edge of education, from computers and software to licensing and innovative learning materials. A unique aspect about “EE” funds is that they are not part of the NEXT school year’s budget as are most Development activities. “EE” proceeds can be spent in the schools in the very same year they are raised. Simply put, “Emerald Evening equals Immediate Impact.”
Annual Appeal Campaign
This is not an “event,” but a campaign by mail, phone and parish solicitations that raises the critical “edge” money for our school system’s annual operating budget. Tuition and Parish Subsidies simply do not pay the full cost of educating the students of our four schools. The Annual Appeal Campaign helps bring the Revenue side of the budget closer to the Expense side without simply increasing tuition. (And campaign contributions are tax deductible while tuition is not, by the way). Annual Appeal proceeds are put into the budget of the next fiscal year based on actual dollars received, again affording us a real-dollar we can rely on. This campaign affects tuition budgeting more than any other fundraiser.
"The Next Generation" Endowment Campaign
In 2003, the Development Board of Springfield Catholic Schools inaugurated “The Next Generation” Endowment Campaign, to help secure the future of quality Catholic education in Springfield. Particular emphasis was placed on a more competitive salary scale to insure that the highest quality teachers continue to be at the core of our schools. As the Endowment grows, so will the yearly return realized by the operating budget for salaries and other future needs. We are delighted to report that Phase one of the Campaign has been concluded and we surpassed our goal of $1.6-million in gifts and pledges in less than a year of the campaign! Phase One plaques are installed in each school to honor the “charter donors” who made this critical endowment fund possible. The other wonderful news is that an additional $1,500,000-plus in “planned gifts” such as life insurance, bequests and trusts were also made during Phase One, pledges that actually serve to kick-off “Phase Two” of the endowment effort. Annually, the Development Board host Wills and Trusts Seminars at our School System parishes to share information with parishioners to help them make informed decisions about their wishes at time of death. There is no solicitation made during these informative meetings, but we frequently get many questions about our schools.
Closing the Gap
This modest campaign, started in March 2006, is simply a small flyer inserted in annual tuition/enrollment packets or other mailers. It shows the “gap” between the actual per student cost of educating that student for a year and the amount covered by tuition and fees. For the 2011-12 school year, the per student shortfall is $1,252 for elementary students and $1,862 for high school students, the gap between the projected average tuition for one student and the estimated average actual cost of educating that student. And, unlike tuition, this donation is tax-deductible. We ask you to consider “closing the gap” by contributing either the shortfall amount for one student or any amount that fits your budget.
Donor Designated Gifts
Each year we process hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of “unsolicited” gifts that donors choose to make to a particular school, curriculum area, extra-curricular activity, or special project. These donations always follow the donor’s directive as to their use, be it new playground equipment, library books or a lighting board for the high school theatre…the donor makes the decision. They are gifts to an area of particular interest to the donors, and we are happy to be sure these gifts carry out their intended purpose.
Dancing With Our Stars
This new, exciting and very “engaging” fundraiser was brought to Springfield Catholic Schools by the Development Board in 2008. The purpose for a new fundraiser was to finish paying off the 10 acres of land purchased adjacent to Springfield Catholic High School in 2007. Season 1 welcomed 400 guests to the event, Season 2 maxed out at 600 and the note to the land purchased was torn up on the stage by Dr. Amy DeMelo, Dir. Of Schools and Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. Remarkably, Season 3 was sold out before July 1 and the event was scheduled for the end of August 2010. Not to be outdone, Season 4 sold out by June 14 and the successful event was hosted on August 27, 2011. Each year a new record-breaking amount of net proceeds has been earned. Season 4 welcomed 670 very enthusiastic and ready-to-engage participants as they applauded, cheered to the top of their lungs and voted often to show appreciation to the dancers. This produced record-breaking net proceeds of more than $139,000. We have purposely kept this event at a very affordable rate for guests. Proceeds are raised by voting for your favorite dance team(s) made up of a Catholic community “dance star” paired with a professional dance instructor. The six dance teams are selected in early spring and practice their dance routine throughout the spring and summer while soliciting votes from supporters at $10 per vote. It’s a great fundraiser that welcomes all our families back at the beginning of the new school year and is generally held the last Saturday of August. The Development Board reviews all fundraisers annually and decides how proceeds from this event will be spent to benefit Springfield Catholic Schools. Season 5 is in the planning stages now and scheduled for August 25, 2012. You’ll be hearing a lot of excitement about this fundraiser, so stay tuned!
