FFE Q&A

For any additional information on the Fund for Excellence, contact Jackie Grasty, Director of Advancement.

What is the Fund for Excellence?

The annual Fund for Excellence is a tax-deductible opportunity for parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy to contribute to the ongoing academic success of our students. The fund is necessary to provide a level of excellence and innovation that sets us apart. Donations to the Fund help us:

• SUPPORT unique and challenging programs
• RECRUIT highly talented faculty
• MAINTAIN small class sizes
• IMPROVE technology
• ASSIST in staff development

We strive to offer our students the extras that turn an excellent education into an outstanding one. Gifts raised through the Fund are generally unrestricted, but are targeted to fund specific opportunities that allow our school to teach and maintain a high quality education.

Why is my participation important?

MBCA needs every member of the Academy community to make the school a priority for charitable giving by making a gift to the Fund for Excellence. When we approach foundations and corporations for grants, they strongly consider the percentage of parental and community support.

Why must funds be raised beyond tuition?

Unrestricted gifts to the Fund enable us to participate in new and exciting initiatives that best serve and benefit our students, faculty and staff. The Fund for Excellence has a positive and immediate impact on every aspect of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy from programs and technology advancements for each classroom, to field trips, athletics and special events.

When will I be asked to participate?

When you receive your contribution card, you may choose to pledge now and pay later. Pledges must be paid before the end of our fiscal year, June 30, 2011. You may pay by check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. We will also accept securities.

Will even a small gift make an impact?

Yes! Every gift of every size is important to MBCA and to our students. Your contribution at any level demonstrates your support of MBCA’s efforts on behalf of our students. Contributions may vary from $5 to $10,000 or more. We ask each constituent to give as generously as possible. Participation demonstrates a broad-based support to the community at large and to the foundations who consider making a contribution to MBCA. Foundations are very interested in seeing a high level of parent participation in the Fund. We strive to make our parent participation 100%.

What is a matching gift?

Many companies and corporations have matching gifts programs. A listing of companies who actively participate in the matching gifts programs is provided to parents. Please check the list to confirm that you can take advantage of a matching gift. If your employer is not listed, please check with them to see if they might be willing to participate. Companies and corporations who offer matching gifts will provide necessary forms to initiate and complete the matching gift.

What is a stock gift?

We welcome gifts of common stock, and stock can be donated at any time. With stock gifts, the donor receives the fair market value of appreciated securities at the time the gift is made, while avoiding capital gains tax in the appreciated value of the stock.

What’s the difference between the Fund for Excellence and the Capital Campaign?

The Fund provides resources by which we live. The Capital Campaign provides resources by which we grow. As we look to the future of MBCA, with new buildings, programs, and fields, we still incur our annual operating costs. While your Capital Campaign pledge will help build our school, your Fund pledge helps in the operation of the school. A contribution to the Fund is the first and most important gift we ask of every member of the MBCA community.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I don’t get my bonus until next year.  Should I pledge now or when I get my bonus?

Either is fine.  If you know what you’ll want to contribute, go ahead and make your pledge now.  If you’d like to see what your bonus will be before contributing, it’s perfectly fine to wait to pledge or contribute at that time.  All pledges and donations can be adjusted as needed and the deadline for participation is June 30, 2012.

My company can match my pledge.  What form do I need to get?

Many companies participate in gift matching programs.  Some companies will even match gifts made by retirees and spouses of employees.  To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, you can pick up a Company Matching Gift list from the Academy Administrative Office or simply ask your HR department at your place of employment.  If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift.  The Academy will do the rest.  The impact of your gift may be doubled or possibly tripled.

Can I use a credit card?

Yes, you can use a credit card.  Please enter your charge card number on your pledge card and return it to Kelley Hamilton in the Advancement Office.

Can I make a pledge now and then another one in the new year?

Absolutely.  You may pledge and contribute as often as you like and whenever you like up until the close of the campaign on June 30, 2012.

Is there a minimum amount?

There is no minimum amount that you must contribute.  The key to success of the FFE campaign is participation.  That said, the question is often asked about the amount of the average gift.  For the 2010-2011 FFE campaign, the average parent gift was $736.00.

Can I make monthly payments to fulfill my pledge?

Yes, you have many payment options.  You can pay in full or make monthly, quarterly, biannual or annual gifts.  On the back of your pledge card is an area to specify how you’d like to fulfill your pledge.

Can I specify what I want my money to be used for?

The FFE campaign dollars are deposited into a general unrestricted fund that is earmarked for specific funding needs from year to year.  Each year, funding needs are established prior to the launch of the campaign and dollars raised are designated for this pre-established end use.  If you would like to contribute to a specific school need, please contact the Advancement Office whereupon arrangements can be made to designate your contribution to be applied to a category of your choice.

Is participation mandatory?

Participation is not mandatory, but encouraged.  MBCA needs every member of the Academy community to make the school a priority for charitable giving by making a gift to the Fund for Excellence. When we approach foundations and corporations for grants, they strongly consider the percentage of parental and community support.

I can only pledge $50. Should I bother?

Absolutely.  No amount is too small or too large.  Again, the critical need is to get full participation from all constituents to help us reach our stated goal.

When is my payment due?

Payments and pledges are due in full by June 30, 2012.

I need specifics on what the money is used for. How will my child benefit?

Your participation will support continued expansion of our unrivaled technology program, fund faculty and staff professional development grants, provide financial assistance to deserving families who may be facing short-term need, and continue to provide the faculty with the necessary instructional tools to deliver a quality education to our children.

Do I get a receipt for tax purposes?

Yes, you will receive an acknowledgment letter from the Academy confirming receipt of your tax-deductable contribution.

Can I pay online? Is there a link?

I have my pledge card completed. Where do I drop it off? Can I send it in my child’s backpack?

You may do either.  The safest delivery is in person, dropped at the front desk or mailed in the self-addressed return envelope.  Alternatively, you may send it into the school in your child’s backpack.  Either way, they will be given to the Advancement Office for recording and deposit.

I lost my pledge card. Where do I get a new one?

Pledge cards are available at the reception desk, online at the Academy website, or in the Advancement Office.