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Most of the material on this page pre-dated the announcement of
January 20, 2006 and is being left in place. We had some
success in development, but not enough. One lesson learned
from the Academy's closing, which may be of some value to other
schools, is that a private school seeking to serve children across
a broad economic spectrum must vigilantly and continuously work to
promote and expand its financial support from sources other than
tuition. That support may not always be essential to
current operations, but it will not be there when it is needed if
it has not been continuously nurtured.
"Development" is an
appropriate term for our fund-raising efforts, because it involves
much more than asking for money. Donations are not induced
by requests from staff and volunteers. They are
inspired by each donor's relationship with the Academy. It is
our job to honor and support those relationships. We trust
that, if we do
our best to keep SHA strong, it will enjoy the support of its
alumnae and friends.
SHA's financial viability depends on that support.
Tuition, as high as it seems, is less sufficient today than at any
time since 1922. In other words, SHA cannot continue in
existence without the financial support of those who care about
it.
And who does care?
The people who care most are the graduates. In many
cases, their appreciation has grown during their adult lives, as
experience has given them a basis for assessing their own high
school years. That adult assessment strips away the
superficial comparisons, leaving the essential memories we hear
every day: "My teachers genuinely knew me and cared about me."
"Girls were themselves at SHA, so it was easy to form great
friendships there." "They taught me how to learn, how to
think, how to stand up for what I believe." "We were not the
strongest team in the league, but we played hard together and I am still in
touch with my teammates after all these years." "When I got
to college, I realized how well prepared I was. I knew how
to write. I knew how to study."
Will SHA give such memories to another generation? That
will be decided by those who have such memories. They are
the ones who know how valuable it is, how important it is.
It is up to you.
The alumnae are far more numerous than our faculty, staff and
parents, but all members of our community are called upon to
participate in keeping SHA strong. The more challenging it
is to operate an independent all-girls high school, the more
important it is, and we see that every day in the experiences of
our students. We're in this boat together.
Please...pick up an oar and row with us.
Other ways to help
Give appreciated stock or other assets.
It will enhance the value of your gift, give you a
large tax deduction, and avoid capital gains taxes due on a sale during your life.
Consult your professional advisor.
Remember the Sisters of
St. Joseph of Chambery in your Will.
Schools are meant to outlive those who create and
support them, but that will not be true of SHA. Yet, the Sisters
of St. Joseph will continue to make a difference in other missions.
Ask your estate planning attorney about
tax-efficient ways to split the ownership of property between the Sisters and your heirs, e.g.,
retaining income for life and claiming a deduction for the charitable remainder. The
same opportunities may exist for lifetime gifts in trust. Contact
Sisters of St. Joseph Development Office, 27 Park Road, West
Hartford, CT 06119.
Direct a life insurance benefit to
the Sisters.
This is a means of multiplying the value of your
contribution, while helping the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Chambery.
It can be accomplished with an ownership assignment or a change of beneficiary.
Be an active friend or alumna.
Sister Jeanne borrows from St. Paul in describing
Sacred Heart Academy as an anchor that holds its graduates
steady during life's turbulent journey. [Although the
anchor will not be available to future high school students, it
remains securely in place for SHA's alumnae.]
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