23-24 Guide to Engagement & Philanthropy

Meet The Team

Dear St. Mary’s Community,

It is with immense pride and joy that I welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. As the Chief Advancement Officer of St. Mary’s School, this wonderful place holds a special space in my heart. Serving our community in various capacities for the past 28 years has been a privilege, and I’m continually delighted to share in our collective journey cultivating World-Sized Hearts and World-Class Minds. I am also thrilled to celebrate our 30th Anniversary this school year. As we embark on this momentous occasion in our school’s history, I find myself reflecting on our founder, Father Earnest D. Sillers. His vision and passion laid the foundation for the extraordinary institution that St. Mary’s has become. His dream for a school that offered the values of integrity, academics and spirituality is now reality. Our school offers a unique learning experience, a warm-hearted atmosphere and a commitment to transforming students into global citizens who, when tested, are able to find strength from their time at St. Mary’s. Over the years our school community has flourished and evolved, driven by the unwavering support and dedication of our families, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Together, we have created an environment where every child feels valued, supported and empowered to embrace their full potential.

We fully recognize the profound impact of engagement and philanthropy in shaping the lives of our students and the community at large. We believe that every act of generosity, no matter how big or small, has the power to make a positive difference.

In this Guide to Engagement and Philanthropy you will find a roadmap that outlines our collective vision for the future. It highlights the many opportunities for involvement, including a variety of school-wide events, supporting the school’s key initiatives and much more. I invite each member of our St. Mary’s family to join in celebrating this milestone year by contributing your time, talent and treasure. Together, we can nurture even more hearts and minds as well as extend the impact beyond our campus walls. Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant community and for believing in the transformative power of education and philanthropy. I look forward to celebrating our accomplishments together in the coming year. Please feel free to reach out to me or any of my colleagues — our doors are always open and we are here to serve. The future is ours to design and we are so grateful for those who have come before us and all that lies ahead. The possibilities for our next 30 years are endless!

With deep gratitude,

Sharon Taylor Chief Advancement Officer

Top left to right: Virtue Byrd Director of Capital Campaigns and Alumni Relations

Christine Downie Director of Development Cara Acker Development Associate Kristie Kender Parent Engagement and Events Manager Jen Staudenbaur Executive Director of Major Gifts Sharon Taylor Chief Advancement Officer

Our PTF Board is a leadership group composed of parents that serve our school in various positions to ensure that we fulfill our mission of supporting the educational, fundraising, cultural, physical and spiritual needs of St. Mary’s.

In addition to the many school related events throughout the year, our PTF Board and the St. Mary’s Development Department are committed to providing events that foster community, engage our families, and demonstrate appreciation in support of our school.

COMMUNITY : Parent Engagement And Fellowship

One of St. Mary’s strengths is a continued sense of community among students, families, faculty and staff. We are an inclusive campus that supports and encourages family participation.

• Every St. Mary’s parent is a member of the Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF)

• We value building community through volunteering and planning meaningful events and activities on and off campus

• Being actively involved at school is a great way to make friends and become more ingrained into the St. Mary’s community

There are many opportunities to volunteer in a variety of ways. All strengths, time and talents are welcome!

2023-2024 KEY COMMUNITY EVENTS

Friday, September 29

Founder’s Day

Friday, January 19

Father-Daughter Dance

Monday, November 6                                 St. Mary’s Golf Classic

Friday, March 1

Design Fest

Thursday, December 14                                    Winter Market

Saturday, March 9 St. Mary’s Gala

Friday, April 12

Mother-Son Game Night

GET INVOLVED

We understand that every parent has a different schedule and availability. Whether you are available for an hour a week, a day, a month, or more, before school, during school or after school, we have a volunteer opportunity that will allow you to participate in a way that’s best for you. Volunteer Opportunities are communicated through the Falcon Connect Parent Portal.

Areas where we need volunteers include:

• Room Parent and Class Party Lead

• St. Mary’s Fund Committee

• Golf and Gala Committees

• Care and Compassion Committee

• IB Hub

• Serving Lunch

• Track Meet

• Musical

• Jog-A-Thon

• Book Fair

• Art Class

• and more!

For more information on how to get involved, please contact:

Kristie Kender Parent Engagement & Events Manager (949) 448-9027 x328

kristie.kender@smaa.org

PHILANTHROPY

For 30 years the St. Mary’s community has shown remarkable generosity and support. Our wonderful campus and the enriching programs we have today are a testament to the philanthropic spirit of the families who preceded us.

Annual contributions to the St. Mary’s Fund play a vital role in backing our strategic plan and enabling us to expand the programs that make St. Mary’s truly exceptional. For those who are interested in making an even greater impact,

ST. MARY’S FUND

We offer opportunities to support special initiatives like the Scholar Program and the Design The Future capital campaign, which aim to secure a strong and promising future for the next generation of Falcons.

Your continued support directly enhances the experiences of every student at St. Mary’s. Let’s work together to create a brighter tomorrow and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our beloved students.

SCHOLAR PROGRAM

DESIGN

THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN

ST. MARY’S FUND

The St. Mary’s Fund is an important philanthropic priority for the school. Contributions to this Fund support our strategic plan, fueling our ability to advance our curriculum, provide professional development opportunities and introduce new experiences throughout our school. It allows the school leaders to say YES to new ideas, programs and to faculty.

Our school is dedicated to developing World-Sized Hearts and World-Class Minds, and the St. Mary’s Fund is an essential part of achieving this mission. Donations directly support low student-to-faculty ratios and our ability to hire exceptional faculty. With the Fund’s resources, we can provide an exemplary education that cultivates innovative ideas and state-of-the-art resources for teaching and learning practices, all without being held back by operating budget constraints.

The St. Mary’s Fund strengthens and sustains the educational experience of every single student, each and every day. Fund resources are used to support the seven core elements of our unique curriculum:

Every gift to the St. Mary’s Fund is meaningful. The St. Mary’s Fund’s contributions are used immediately to provide impact where it is needed most. We rely on contributions to the Fund from Trustees, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty, and staff every year, and we seek 100% participation from our families in partnership with us to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students. How much each family contributes is a personal decision, and our hope is that every family is able to be as generous as possible. Gifts range from under $1,000 to over $25,000, and every gift, of any size, has a direct impact on every single St. Mary’s School student.

GIVING LEVELS

Visionaries Circle $25,000

Millennium Circle $10,000 - $24,999

Sustainers Circle $3,000 - $4,999 Head Of School Circle $5,000 - $9,999

Benefactors $1,500 - $2,999

Patrons: $1,000 – $1,499 Supporters: $500 – $999 Friends: Up to $499

Donors at the $5,000 level and above are invited to the Fall Leadership Reception. All donors are recognized in our Report on Philanthropy.

FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At St. Mary’s, we’re committed to cultivating World-Sized Hearts and World-Class Minds through the St. Mary’s Scholar Program. This program’s mission is to provide access to our unique learning environment for students who may not otherwise be able to attend our school. We believe that a major tenet of a St. Mary’s education is our community. We value and encourage inclusiveness, and we believe that a diverse community equals a stronger one.

The St. Mary’s Scholar Program offers fulltuition scholarships to qualified students for the entire three years of Middle School and supports their engagement in student life. The goal of the St. Mary’s Scholar Program is to further develop a learning environment that prepares students to thrive within a diverse, interconnected world. By providing scholarships for six outstanding Middle School students each year, the program aims to attract students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds to St. Mary’s.

The St. Mary’s Scholar Program is comprehensive, accounting for all of the extra costs beyond tuition, such as transportation costs, books and course materials, athletics, uniforms, and one International Field Study. This ensures that our scholar students have access to the full educational experience at St. Mary’s.

Donations to the St. Mary’s Scholar Program will make a significant difference in the lives of our students and their families. These contributions enable us to provide scholarships for students who would not otherwise be able to attend our school and help us create a more diverse and inclusive community. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our students and our community.

ST. MARY’S SCHOLAR PROGRAM

DESIGN THE FUTURE

To accommodate growth and meet the educational needs of our students, St. Mary’s periodically mounts capital campaigns with the goal of reshaping the learning environment and enhancing programs.

In the spring of 2017, we launched the Imagine More Campaign. This transformational campaign brought us the Bhathal Merage Academic Center, Green Family Commons, Bauer Arts Wing, Purcell Family Science and Technology Wing and the SeneGence Security entrance.

Design the Future will complete our campus master plan. This multi-year capital campaign will bring a twostory, 28,000-square-foot building to our campus that includes a Design Center, Early Education Center and Community Gathering Spaces.

Design Center

The Design Center represents a natural progression of St. Mary’s current IB curriculum and incorporates a design thinking mindset. The second floor will be state-of-the-art science, technology, and fine arts (STEAM) labs for all of our Falcons to foster collaboration, hands-on learning, and creative problem-solving.

Early Education Center

The first floor will house a new learning space for our youngest Falcons, nurturing creativity and intellectual growth with flexible classrooms and a Learning Hub for gathering and eating. The rooms will be configured so that teachers can accommodate the various needs of each student while maximizing the children’s time in imaginative play, wonder, and reflection.

Community Gathering Spaces

We will revamp our outdoor spaces creating green, park-like areas for gathering, learning, and quiet reflection, including a new Community Hub with a coffee cafe and student store. Community defines St. Mary’s, and this provides an area for families to connect in the seemingly simple moments when we come together.

Design the Future will impact every student at the school and create facilities where the possibilities are endless. These investments are vital to our children’s development and to the school’s future. As we look to bring these new spaces to campus, we look forward to sharing our plans with our families.

THANKS FOR GIVING!

WAYS TO GIVE

There are many ways to support St. Mary’s. If you don’t see an option below that best fits with your family’s needs, we will be happy to discuss other alternatives with you.

Cash or Check

The majority of families choose to make their gift to St. Mary’s by check either as a single donation or as payments towards a pledge. Simply make your check payable to St. Mary’s and deliver or mail it to the Development Office.

Credit Card

Make your donation with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express card online at www.smaa.org/donate or visit the Development Office.

Pledges

Pledges are a popular way for families to demonstrate their commitment to support St. Mary’s early in the campaign, yet delay payment for a later date that works better for their family or maximizes a tax deduction. Pledges can be fulfilled by cash, check, credit card or securities in one installment or monthly installments before a specified pledge payment period. Pledges to the St. Mary’s Fund can be made online at www.smaa.org/pledge.

Matching Gifts

Many corporations demonstrate their support to St. Mary’s by matching their employees’ donations to our school. Matching gifts can double your contribution to St. Mary’s. Donors are recognized for the total of the combined amount of their gift plus their employer matching gift. Please contact your HR department to inquire about a matching program or the DevelopmentOffice so we can research that information for you.

Restricted Gifts

These contributions are restricted by the donor for a particular project or program that has been identified by the school as an area of need.

Gifts of Securities

Gifts of appreciated stock and/or securities represent a two-fold savings opportunity. Donors avoid paying capital gains taxes on the increased values of their stocks. In addition, donors receive a tax deduction for the full market value of the stock on the date of the gift.

Planned Giving

Planned gifts are made now and distributed in the future. Including St. Mary’s in an estate plan provides for the long-term fiscal health of St. Mary’s and gives donors the opportunity to receive immediate or deferred tax benefits while leaving a legacy. All parents and grandparents are encouraged to consider naming St. Mary’s in their will and making the school aware of their gift.

Corporate and Foundation Giving St. Mary’s strives to attain grants and funding from foundations and corporate giving entities for school needs. Because these grants are quite competitive, it is extremely helpful to have a contact within the funding organization. Please let us know if you or your extended family has contacts with philanthropic agencies.

Other Ways to Financially Support St. Mary’s School

• Gifts of tangible personal property

• Attend fundraising events

• Event Sponsorship/Underwriting

• Register your Ralph’s grocery card to have a percentage given to St. Mary’s (#80397)

• For further information regarding these opportunities, please contact Christine Downie, Director of Development at (949) 448-9027 x324 or christine.downie@smaa.org

YOUR GENEROUS GIFT MATTERS

• Donate online at www.smaa.org/give or make a pledge at www.smaa.org/pledge

• Bring your donation to the Development Office

• Mail your donation to: St. Mary’s Development Office 7 Pursuit Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

As a 501(c)(3) corporation, your gifts to St. Mary’s are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law; tax identification number 33–0771131.

For further information regarding these opportunities, please contact Christine Downie, Director of Development at (949) 448-9027 x324 or christine.downie@smaa.org.