Because our Parish School is a highly valued ministry of St. Michael Parish, our school families are in the unique position of directing how much money the parish provides to the school in support of its work! The Parish Grant to the School is a unique and exciting way to model Stewardship as a Way of Life and to support those school families who are Partners in the Mission of St. Michael Parish. The Parish Grant to the School is funded directly out of our Sunday Offertory Envelope Giving!

Our Parish Grant to the School represents the largest income source to the school, by far -- other than tuition. This grant helps keep tuition costs down for parents and helps the school as it strives for continued excellence in all its endeavors. The school parents continue to be completely in the drivers' seat in determining the amount of the annual parish grant to the school via the Matching Fund Formula.

Matching Formula: For every $1.00 given during the calendar year by a St. Michael School family to the regular Sunday offertory collection at St. Michael Church (Sacrificial Giving), the parish will give the school $1.90. There is no limit to the amount of gifts the parish will match, and when the grant reaches a level of $302,860, all further donations will be matched at a lesser rate of 50%.

The St. Michael: A Remarkable Tradition (S.M.A.R.T.) Auction is our annual fundraising event that occurs in October. Begun in 1989, the auction has grown substantially in community recognition and funding success. When you attend or donate to our auction, you are participating in a very meaningful way in the "remarkable tradition" that is St. Michael School.

Procurement actually begins the prior spring and students/families are asked to seek donations from the community. Incentives are offered to students for participating.

Family Night is on Friday evening and is held in the school gym. There are fun activities for the kids to enjoy while their parents get "auction fever." Hot items such as "Principal for a Day" or a chance to "name" the gym for the school year provide a great bidding battle!

The gala dinner auction is on Saturday evening and is an adults-only formal affair with a catered dinner.

The auction is organized by school parents and headed by two sets of co-chairs. Various committee chairs with teams of parents assist in the yearlong preparation for this event.

The net profits are divided equally between the St. Michael School Endowment Fund, whose interest is used for tuition assistance, and the Capital Account which funds school deferred maintenance and technology projects.

Education Appeal

To ensure fiscal responsibility and a sustainable source of financial aid for needy students, St. Michael School created the Endowment Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund. Contributing to the Educational Appeal is a gift that gives back to the community every single year.

The Education Appeal is an annual fundraiser. A mailing is made to alumni and school parents sent out each January. Two sets of co-chairs and volunteers are selected to coordinate the Appeal each year. The net revenues are deposited as in the S.M.A.R.T. Auction and are allocated in the same manner. These funds are not part of the school's operating budget.

SCRIP

Scrip is a magical fundraiser; St. Michael School receives funds but you don't donate anything. Scrip is issued by a long list of businesses including grocery stores, department stores, and restaurants and can be used at the particular business just like cash. A portion of the Scrip is returned to St. Michael School and the benefit is significant.

The SCRIP Program raises approximately $24,000 per year through the sale of these gift certificates. Proceeds from these sales fund over half of the PTSA's (Parent Teacher Service Association) budget. SCRIP is the only major fundraising program that supports the PTSA budget. This program is conducted year round.

Learn more about our Scrip program and download order forms here.