There are many opportunities to participate at St. Mark’s. You can serve as a class agent to help maintain communication with your classmates, organize an alumni event, serve on a committee, or attend one of the many Dallas or regional alumni events.

ANNUAL GIVING

The St. Mark�s Fund

2002 represents a watershed year in Annual Giving for St. Mark�s School of Texas.  Last spring the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the establishment of new policy to merge, for the first time, all of the Annual Fund efforts of alumni, parents, and friends under one umbrella � The St. Mark�s Fund � to further increase support for the school.  Our goal this year is clear.  Communicate the St. Mark�s story clearly and simply to alumni, parents, and friends to enhance the level of understanding and support for the school and its aspirations.   

The Price of Excellence

The actual cost of educating a St. Mark�s student is over $21,000, almost 40% more than our tuition.  Our costs are high because we make unparalleled investments in our greatest resource � the faculty.  Over eighty percent of our faculty members hold advanced degrees including numerous PhDs.  In addition to providing the highest faculty compensation in the southwestern United States, we further our teachers� professional and scholarly development with resources for ongoing training and research.  Their continued growth contributes directly to the boys� experiences in and out of the classroom.  Our dedication to attracting and retaining the best and brightest educators has lead to the establishment of 12 endowed teaching positions including 9 Master Teaching Chairs. 

In addition, no other school has assembled as robust a combination of resources and facilities.  A planetarium, a natatorium, industrial arts annex � these are the types of assets more likely found on college and university campuses.  At St .Mark�s they are integrated into our classrooms and class work.  As is the most advanced technology, with 350 computers deployed across campus, video projection in 75% of classrooms, and a distance learning initiative to extend education opportunities beyond our campus walls. 

Gifts to The St. Mark�s Fund make up a significant portion of the school�s operating budget.  The unrestricted nature of these gifts enable the school to allocate important resources to address the most critical needs that emerge from year to year.  Annual Fund gifts support a wide range of important priorities including faculty salaries and professional development, academic initiatives, athletics, fine arts programs, campus facilities and technology, extracurricular activities and student life.   

Goals for 2002-2003

The goal this year is $1,100,000, a ten-percent increase from last year.  To achieve this goal, we will clearly and simply communicate the importance and impact of The St. Mark�s Fund, increase the number of volunteers to personalize contact with individual donors, and grow the number of leadership gift donors of $1,000 or more by at least ten-percent.

Leadership Gift Recognition

Leadership gifts of $1,000 - $25,000 make up a disproportionate share (roughly 75%) of The St. Mark�s Fund and are vital to supporting the school�s commitment to excellence.  St. Mark�s has established new giving societies this year to recognize leadership gift donors who contribute $1,000 or more in a given fiscal year. Increasing the number of leadership gift donors is critical to growing the St. Mark�s Fund. 

President�s Roundtable � The President�s Roundtable includes alumni, parents, and friends of the School who give $25,000 or more in a given fiscal year.  The President�s Roundtable meets once a year to discuss the critical issues shaping the present and future direction of the school.  Members also receive invitations to the annual Headmaster�s Council Dinner.   Young alumni donors in their first nine years after graduation are eligible to join the President�s Roundtable by contributing $10,000 in a given fiscal year.  

Headmaster�s Council � Alumni, parents, and friends of the School who make an annual gift of $10,000 or more will be invited to join the Headmaster�s Council.  Members receive an invitation to the annual Headmaster�s Council Dinner in the late winter.  Additionally, young alumni donors in their first nine years after graduation are eligible to join the Headmaster�s Council by contributing $5,000 in a given fiscal year.

St. Mark�s Patrons � St. Mark�s Patrons recognizes alumni, parents, and friends of the School who donate $5,000 or more in a given fiscal year.  In addition to receiving more detailed communication from the school, St. Mark�s Patrons also receive invitations to the annual St. Mark�s Associates Reception held each winter.  Young alumni donors in their first nine years after graduation are eligible to join the St. Mark�s Patrons by contributing $2,500 in a given fiscal year.

St. Mark�s Associates � St. Mark�s Associates includes alumni, parents, and friends of the School who contribute $1,000 - $4,999 in a given fiscal year.  Donors who contribute at this level will be included in the annual St. Mark�s Associates Reception held each winter.  Young alumni donors in their first nine years after graduation are eligible to join the St. Mark�s Associates by contributing $500 in a given fiscal year.

PLANNED & DEFERRED GIVING

There are many creative giving opportunities that can significantly benefit the donor and St. Mark�s.  Listed below are some of the gift instruments that can allow you to support both your family and St. Mark�s.  The school has a wide array of resources available to support donors in this process and encourages inquiries by donors and their advisors.  For more information, please contact Jay McAuley �81, Director of Capital Giving at (214) 346-8133 or [email protected].

Gifts of Cash: Cash gifts are tax deductible in the year the gift is given. Checks should be made to St. Mark�s School of Texas. In many cases, employers will match the amount you give, thus making it possible to double or triple your gift. You will receive campaign credit for the match. You can acquire information on matching gifts from your company personnel office, or the St. Mark’s Development Office.

Gifts of Securities: You may use stocks and securities as your gift or as part of a gift to the campaign. If the securities have appreciated greatly, you may find that you can make a larger gift at a lower cost than if the gift were made in cash. Instructions for transferring stock to the school can be obtained from the Campaign Office. Stock in companies that are closely held may also be given to St. Mark’s. Independent appraisals of market value must be obtained to ascertain the value.

Gifts of Property:  Property gifts include real estate and tangible personal property such as antiques, art, collections and the like. When such gifts support the function and purpose of the School, they can be important contributions to the campaign. Donors should consult school representatives before they make gifts of tangible personal property to St. Mark’s, as such gifts come under more rigorous scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service.

Life Insurance: The School can be a total or partial beneficiary of an existing whole life insurance policy, or a new policy may be taken out for this purpose. Life insurance can also be used to cover charitable gifts made from your estate. Annuities may also be given to the School.

Bequests and Testamentary Trusts: Gifts made through your will can be made to the Campaign either through a new document or a codicil to an existing will. You may specify a dollar amount or personal property that you would like to give St. Mark’s, or you may specify a percentage of your total estate. Gifts through bequests can help reduce federal estate tax liability.

Charitable Trusts and Life Income Plans: Trust agreements are individually written to accommodate the donor’s wishes with respect to a gift to the School while still taking care of family financial concerns. The Campaign Office can help you make a decision regarding these specialized financial plans, and you are urged to discuss them with your attorney or financial advisor as well.

Remainder Interest in a Personal Residence or Farm: You may retain a life interest in your home or farm while deeding the property to the School. Though you may continue to live in or use the property, you may claim a tax deduction at the time the property is transferred.

Charitable Lead Trusts: This trust is created when a donor places property or cash in trust with the income generated dedicated to St. Mark’s for a period of time (usually 12 to 20 years). The assets placed in trust revert to the donor or his or her heirs at the end of the time period. The trust creates an immediate tax deduction in the year the trust is created, and it often enables the donor to pass assets to his or her heirs, usually with beneficial estate tax consequences.

Retirement Plans: Donors who wish to make a bequest to St. Mark’s should consider naming the school as a direct beneficiary of all or a percentage of the assets left in their retirement plans. These assets passing to St. Mark’s will escape both the estate tax and income tax, though they may be subject to the excess accumulation tax if the plan is sufficiently large.

CAPITAL GIFTS AND RESTRICTED GIVING

The school raises funds for capital projects on an ongoing basis.  These programs include named unrestricted endowment funds which can be established with a minimum gift of $10,000 as well as named restricted endowment funds for faculty, financial aid, and new programs with a minimum commitment of $25,000.  The school also regularly seeks funds for new facilities, equipment, technology and current programs.  For more information about the schools needs or to inquire about making a capital gift to the school, please contact Jay McAuley �81, Director of Capital Giving at (214) 346-8133 or [email protected].

VOLUNTEERING

Class Agents: Class agents are vitally important to maintaining communication among classmates and keeping them in touch with St. Mark’s. Additionally, class agents provide leadership on the St. Mark's Fund that typically garners participation from 50% of alumni from around the globe.  For more information on class agents, contact Michelle Cox at (214) 346-8806 or [email protected].

Reunions: Help organize your class reunion or class activity. If you’re interested in helping plan your next reunion or would like to organize an activity or event for your class, please contact Shannon Looby at (214) 346-8807 or [email protected].

Regional Gatherings: Participate in alumni activities (both social and educational) through your local regional alumni association.  We currently have active groups in the following cities: Houston; Austin; New York City; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Chicago; San Francisco; and Los Angeles. If you are interested in helping plan an event in your area, contact Shannon Looby at (214) 346-8807 or [email protected] for more information.

INFORMATION

Class Notes: Send news for your class notes (published in The Pride) to Jan Forrester at [email protected] or (214) 346-8135.

When you move: Stay in touch! Keep St. Mark’s informed of your current address by contacting the Anna Morris at (214) 346-8800 or [email protected].