The Annual Fund is Saint Mary's foundation of philanthropy.
Annual Fund gifts from alumnae, parents, grandparents, friends, community partners, students, and faculty and staff are a vital source of revenue. While all gifts to Saint Mary's are important and appreciated, annual gifts are received and spent in the same year and have an immediate impact on the things that makes Saint Mary's special – scholarships, great teaching and faculty excellence, beautiful facilities, advancements in technology, and unique programs.
Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund give Saint Mary's the flexibility and security to pivot when new ideas and opportunities arise, as well as to cover any funding gaps that arise unexpectedly, allowing us to continue to meet our most strategic goals. Donations to the Annual Fund go to work immediately in core programs to support students and faculty as well as academic and residential facilities that are inherently part of the Saint Mary's experience. Donations to the Annual Fund are relied upon to bridge the gap between endowment income, tuition, and other sources of revenue, and the actual cost of the School’s total operating expenses.
Our LEGACY. Her FUTURE.
Saint Mary’s Annual Fund is critical to ensuring our mission endures. Because tuition alone cannot support the annual cost of operating a 24/7 boarding/day school, it is Saint Mary’s Annual Fund which provides the funding needed to balance the operating budget each year not covered by endowment income, tuition, or other sources of revenue. Learn more here.
Why Saint Mary’s?
Over the years, we’ve heard countless stories that capture the “why” for thousands of Saint Mary’s graduates. Some alumnae chose Saint Mary’s, while others say Saint Mary’s chose them. Parents, grandparents, friends, and community partners also choose Saint Mary’s when they decide to invest in our programs and the Annual Fund. As you ponder your own “why,” know that the heart and soul of your reasons connect you to today’s students who have also chosen Saint Mary’s. (Learn more by clicking on each graphic below.)
Saint Mary’s Annual Fund
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Do you have questions about
Saint Mary’s Annual Fund?
Want to get involved?
Interested in joining the
Giving Circle Program or
want to make a leadership gift?
CONTACT:
Eileen Nedoma
Director of Annual Fund and Major Gifts
919-424-4118
enedoma@sms.edu
Annual Fund Giving Societies
For 179 years, Saint Mary’s has been a leader in the education of girls and young women. For a saint Mary’s girl, preparing for the future is about learning to lead. That visionary spirit gave birth to the school in 1842 and has sustained us through the generosity of benefactors who believe in our mission. The success of Saint Mary’s Annual Fund depends on gifts above and beyond the average giving level. Leadership gifts provided 77% of total dollars raised in 2019-20.
ADDITIONAL GIVING LEVELS
| The Order of the Grove | $500 - $999 |
| Smedes Associates | $499 and under |
Leadership Levels
| Founder's Club | $25,000+ |
| The Oak Society | $10,000 - $24,999 |
| The Saint Mary's Society | $5,000 - $9,999 |
| The Bishop's Society | $2,500 - $4,999 |
| The 1842 Society | $1,842 - 2,4999 |
| The Cornerstone Society | $1,000 - $1,841 |
