Fund for Excellence
Independent schools such as Mt. Bethel Christian Academy traditionally conduct an annual giving campaign in the fall of each year. Some schools call it the Annual Sustaining Fund. Others call it the Loyalty Fund. We simply call ours the Fund For Excellence.
The Fund for Excellence is a yearly source of supplemental revenue which is used to address needs that tuition cannot provide. The Fund for Excellence helps support our low student/teacher ratio, and allows us to confidently meet our goal of attracting and retaining the highest caliber faculty to give our students the quality of supportive yet rigorous education our families expect. The Fund for Excellence is primarily used for financial aid, program enhancements and faculty development. It is also used to cover costs of needed programs and equipment for which there is no budget.
All members of the Mt. Bethel community – parents, faculty, past parents, grandparents, businesses and other friends – are asked to contribute to the Fund for Excellence to augment the activities of the Academy.
Fund for Excellence Versus Capital and Fundraising Campaigns
While there will be periodic appeals made for specific needs, the Fund for Excellence is an ongoing, annual vehicle to enhance the excellence of our Academy for which there is no other revenue source. There may be Capital Campaigns from time to time which are used to address specific construction or renovation projects of a long term nature.
The Fund for Excellence is a yearly fundraising appeal designed to augment Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s operating budget. Fund for Excellence gifts can range from donations of $1 to $30,000 or more. The Blue and Gold Guild giving categories begin at $1,000. The success of the Fund for Excellence will validate our common, strong belief in Mt. Bethel Christian Academy and its continuing mission of excellence in educating children.
The Academy is so very thankful to the many loyal and generous supporters, parents, grandparents and friends, who choose to make financial gifts to the Academy. Their commitments have helped us continue to build the highest standards and to achieve an increasingly outstanding facility. To recognize and honor our contributors, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy has established the Fund for Excellence Leadership Club.
Fund for Excellence Giving Levels
| Headmaster’s Circle | $25,000+ |
| Founder’s Circle | $10,000 – 24,999 |
| Wesley Society | $7,500 – 9,999 |
| 1998 Society | $5,000 – 7,499 |
| Unitas Club | $2,500 – 4,999 |
| Blue & Gold Guild | $1,000 – 2,499 |
| Eagle Club | $1 – 999 |
Fund for Excellence gifts are payable by the end of the Academy’s fiscal year on June 30th, so that they may be applied to that year’s operating budget. All gifts to the Fund for Excellence are fully tax-deductible.
WAYS OF GIVING
We appreciate your support at any level. Gifts of any size significantly impact the school community and educational experience. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of each student and teacher at MBCA!
We accept gifts in the forms below. Our office is here to serve you; please contact jackie.grasty@mtbethel.org or call (770) 971-0245 ext. 333 for assistance.
Credit Cards – Donate Online!
MBCA accepts Visa and MasterCard. Payment may be submitted securely online or by calling (770) 971-0245 ext. 306.
Checks
Please make checks payable to MBCA. The mailing address is: MBCA Advancement Office, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068. Please indicate in the memo line Fund for Excellence.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Many corporations offer matching gift programs that can double or triple the value of your gift to MBCA! What’s more, many employers will also match contributions of spouses, retirees, and trustees. Please contact your Human Resources or Community Relations office for eligibility and matching gift forms.
Appreciated Securities
Securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds make a wonderful gift. The tax savings to the donor can be significant.
1. Selling securities and mutual funds that have appreciated in value generally result in long-term capital gains tax being due if the securities have been owned for more than twelve months.
2. Making a gift of long-term appreciated securities or mutual funds to MBCA avoids the capital gains tax.
3. Making this gift allows the donor who itemizes deductions to take an income tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the securities.
If your broker holds your stock or mutual fund shares, you may request they be transferred directly to Mt. Bethel Christian Academy via electronic transfer. To facilitate the transfer of stock gifts, please complete and submit to your broker our Letter of Authorization.
1. As donors cannot be credited for “unclaimed” stock gifts, be certain to request the submission of your name with all stock transfers to MBCA. Please e-mail jackie.grasty@mtbethel.org with questions.
2. The effective date of your gift will be the date the stock or mutual fund shares arrives in Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s account.
3. Stock transfers normally are completed within five business days, depending upon your broker. Mutual fund transfers may take four weeks, especially at year-end, due to additional paperwork required to complete the transfer.
Please allow appropriate time to complete these gifts.
Gifts of Tangible Personal Property (Gifts-in-Kind)
Gifts-in-kind are accepted on a case-by-case basis. The primary criterion is that the gifts further the mission of the school. MBCA is prohibited by law to appraise the value of gifts of tangible personal property in any form. For donations of personal property over $500, the donor must complete the appropriate IRS forms for tax deduction purposes; for property having a value of $5,000 or more, the donor must obtain a qualified, independent appraisal.
Contact
To give a gift to the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Fund for Excellence, please complete a FFE 2011-2012 pledge card and submit to:
Jackie Grasty, Director of Advancement
4385 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta, Georgia 30068
770-971-0245 x333
jackie.grasty@mtbethel.org
