Endowment
Single Hero
A Lasting Legacy for Generations
Philanthropic gifts to St. Mary’s Endowment provide a perpetual source of support for the school and its mission. It is a top priority of the school to strengthen and grow the endowment by partnering with donors like you to establish new funds that align with your philanthropic goals and those of the school and to grow support for existing endowed funds.
With over 50 endowed funds established in support of donor-designated areas including financial aid, professional development, fine arts, and STEM learning, St. Mary’s Endowment funds share a common objective to support the school throughout its history.
Through sound investment practices that emphasize long-term investment fundamentals and the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the St. Mary’s Endowment is able to provide stability to the school’s operations through annual distributions of 4% as well as support for the future.
For more information
If you would like to make an endowed gift that is meaningful to you and will have a lasting impact on St. Mary’s, please contact:
Carrie Vaughan
Director of Philanthropy
901.537.1424
cvaughan@stmarysschool.org
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Facts about St. Mary's Endowment
- Creating an endowment allows donors to fulfill their personal philanthropic goals while helping support the needs and mission of St. Mary’s Episcopal School.
- St. Mary’s draws 4% of the endowment value to support expenses in the operating budget each year.
- Endowment funds established to support financial aid enable St. Mary’s Office of Admission and Financial Aid to award need-based tuition assistance to families.
- Donors may establish a permanent named endowment as a tribute to a family member, faculty member, colleague, or loved one, or for the general support of St. Mary’s.
- Endowed funds may be named with a gift of $100,000 or more.
- All existing endowed funds are eligible to receive donations of any size.
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Endowed Funds
Scholarship & Financial Aid
St. Mary’s Endowment includes over 35 funds established to support financial aid and scholarships to provide tuition assistance to St. Mary’s families and students based on need. The minimum gift to establish a scholarship fund is $100,000, and all existing funds are available to receive contributions of any size.
Professional Development
Endowment funds can also be established to offer professional development for St. Mary’s talented faculty and staff. These funds have been created to show appreciation for teachers and administrators by expanding opportunities for them to participate in professional conferences, continuing education, specialized training, and travel. The minimum gift to establish a fund to support professional development is $100,000, and existing funds are available to receive additional donations of any size.
Professional Development Funds
Other Areas
The St. Mary’s Endowment includes 15 funds established to support other areas of the school including science education, department chairs, special awards to honor students, faculty, and staff, special speakers, added learning opportunities, and technology. The minimum gift to establish an endowed fund is $100,000. Contributions of any size may be made at any time to support existing funds.
We give to St Mary’s because it is preparing our girls for the real world. In addition to academics, they are learning how to speak up for themselves and others. They are learning how to be strong, independent women who can take on whatever challenges are thrown their way.
Mandy Tenent P'30'34