The “Cardinal Appeal'' is Santa Cruz’s yearly campaign to support the school’s daily operating budget. It provides an adequate base of resources every year from which to enhance and sustain the quality Catholic education we provide at SCCS. Gifts impact nearly every aspect of Santa Cruz’s education and support the intellectual, social, personal, and spiritual development of every student. The Mission of Santa Cruz Catholic School is to educate students to be lifelong learners and the next generation of Catholic leaders, following Christ’s message of Service, Compassion, Courage, and Spirit.
Your participation in the Cardinal Appeal is what matters the most. Every gift, whether large or small, directly impacts each student’s educational experience.
Areas of Impact
The Cardinal Appeal is validating the loyal, committed, and generous community we have here at Santa Cruz Catholic School and Church. With your generous gift we plan to attract and retain the highest quality teachers, upgrade school furniture and replace cafeteria tables, continue to implement innovative programming and curriculum, offer tuition assistance to our families in need and close “the gap”- the true cost to educate each child vs. tuition. Through the Cardinal Appeal, programs are strengthened, and our students are given the greatest opportunity to be successful in and out of the classroom. Thank you for investing in our students. We are grateful for your generosity.
For more information about the Annual Appeal, please contact our Director of Development, Mrs. Brenda Hull, at 512-312-2137.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Santa Cruz Catholic School charge enough to cover operating costs?
If tution increased to cover the actual costs of all programs, many of our families could not afford to send their children to our school. A drop in enrollment could result in lost opportunites for programming and tuition increases to fund all operations.
Santa Cruz Catholic School is a Parochial School. What does this mean? Santa Cruz Catholic School is a ministry of Santa Cruz Catholic Church. The church pays a subsidy to the school each year which covers the cost of utilities and maintence staff and supplies.
Is the Cardinal Appeal unique to SCCS? No. Successful Catholic schools have long relied on the generosity and loyalty of the greater community to advance the mission of the school. Very few, if any, parochial schools meet full operational costs with tuition alone.
How much should my family contribute to the Cardinal Appeal? This answer varies from family to family depending on personal finances. This year our monetary goal is to raise $50,000 as a school which breaks down to about $250 per student. Any contribution large or small helps us to reach this goal, and all donations are appreciated.
Why are parents asked for donations? What other foundations or businesses are solicited for support? The Development Department at Santa Cruz Cathoic School solicits many local businesses and foundations for financial support. To date, eight grants have been written for both operation and special projects.
Can I direct or restrict my gifts? Yes, you may direct your gift to one or multiple impact areas that fall within the operating budget. For more information on how to make a gift toward a special project (i.e.- the playground project). Please contact Mrs. Brenda Hull.
What is a matching gift? Matching gifts come from corporations or foundations that "match" an employee or other persons of interest's contribution. We encourgage you to ask your employer if they participate in a program that matches donations.
What is "the gap"? The gap is the difference between what is paid in tution and the real cost to educate a student at Santa Cruz Catholic School. There is a gap of approximatly $2,200 per student this year at Santa Cruz Catholic School.
Is my gift tax deductable? Yes! SCCS is a 501(c)3 organization. You will receive a receipt via email immediately after donating through our Hellofund platform acknowledging your donation. Those who give by cash or check will receive a letter.
I have multiple children, should I make separate gifts? No. The total amount of your gift will be distributed amongst each of your children to be counted toward participation by grade level.
Do I have to make my gift all at once or can I schedule payments? The Hellofund platform allows you to schedule a monthly recurring donation rather than giving one large gift.