DOES EVERY GIFT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Source/Author: Michael Gillis, Director of Advancement
February 24, 2021
If I have learned one thing about philanthropic giving, it is that it is very personal and can often be transcendent. It becomes transcendent that moment we discover the impact and inherent power that exists in collective giving.
Does every gift to the Shorecrest Fund - no matter the size - make a difference?
The answer is a simple, YES - it makes all the difference. Why?
The answer is a simple, YES - it makes all the difference. Why?
For the vast majority of independent schools, tuition does not fully cover the cost of educating a student. Schools rely on their communities to work together in funding this annual gap.
Comparable local schools often exceed 75% parent participation annually, whereas Shorecrest is falling short with current parent participation at just 40%. Despite our shortfall, we must continue to strive towards reaching our goal of 100% community participation.
Comparable local schools often exceed 75% parent participation annually, whereas Shorecrest is falling short with current parent participation at just 40%. Despite our shortfall, we must continue to strive towards reaching our goal of 100% community participation.
To explain this, the phrase All-A-Taut-O comes to mind for a community-by-the-sea like Shorecrest. In a nautical sense, All-A-Taut-O refers to having all lines trimmed and ready to sail! Our core values of Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, Knowledge and Compassion shine best when accompanied by the balanced tension of being ready to fully set sail. They are embedded into our school and community’s culture—along with philanthropic giving.
A closer look at All-A-Taut-O reveals an inverse connotation as well. Wouldn’t you agree that slacklines and untied knots are not the best way to support our students and teachers in order to be ready to set sail on our educational voyage? Therefore fundraising participation at Shorecrest each and every year is essential.
If our community support ropes are looser than our programs, teachers and students will remain in shallow waters; never venturing further as our school vision statement intends by creating a legacy of inclusive, innovative and transformational education that ignites the potential of all learners. Slackened lines and loose sails do not fully power the journey of our students.
Having a high rate of family participation in annual giving to the Shorecrest Fund is about so much more than the dollars given. It affords an opportunity for every family to make a commitment to one another that provides for the mutual greater good.
Additionally, with high family participation rates we’d become eligible for many grants that could provide significant resources for student growth.
Additionally, with high family participation rates we’d become eligible for many grants that could provide significant resources for student growth.
So we end where we began. Is it true that every gift to the Shorecrest Fund - no matter the size - makes a difference? Your student's journey literally depends on it. Ready, set… Sail!
To learn more about how to make your first gift or an additional gift to the Shorecrest Fund today, or to schedule a socially-distanced tour of the second floor’s construction in Charger Commons, please contact me at [email protected].
