The St. Joseph School System Fund for Excellence Annual Fund was established to promote, encourage and acknowledge the loyalty and support of alumni, parents and friends. Annual Fund gifts, which are mainly unrestricted* , help relieve the burden on tuition costs, support and enhance school programs such as our music, drama, enrichment, and technology programs.

Over the past several years, money donated to the Annual Fund was used in the purchase of two new school buses. And, 10% of every dollar donated to the Annual Fund will be placed in our Endowment Fund so the future of the St. Joseph Schools will be secure.

In addition to these goals, the Annual Fund stresses the importance of participation in giving. Donations made to the Annual Fund by your business will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a grant the school received from a private foundation. Thus, for every dollar donated by your company, it will doubled making your dollar actually work twice as hard for the school!

MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS
Arranging a corporate matching gift is an easy way for St. Joe alumni, parents and friends to increase their own personal impact and contribution to the school. Many companies offer matching gift programs where the donors own contribution can be doubled or even tripled with no additional commitment from the donor.

ANNUAL FUND:

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL FUND GIVING PROGRAM?
Anyone who loves St. Joe and all that it represents can participate in the Annual Fund.
We invite our all of our alumni, family and friends to participate in our Annual Fund as we strive to continue to provide the quality, Catholic faith-based education our students need and deserve.

WHAT AM I SUPPORTING WHEN I GIVE TO THE ANNUAL FUND?
Gifts received through the Annual Fund have a direct impact on the students who attend our schools. From microscopes in the microbiology lab to the electric piano used in the music ensemble, the Annual Fund helps supply those items needed to support our many programs here at St. Joe. With rapid technological changes, St. Joe keeps up with the times by continually upgrading its educational software and programs designed to help make learning fun and challenging for our students. Annual Fund donations made it possible for St. Joseph to receive a new driver's education car and new tables for our science labs.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO GIVE?
Gifts to the Annual Fund may be made anytime during our fiscal year which begins July 1st and ends June 30th. For tax purposes, gifts may be made prior to December 31st. All gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible.

WHY CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND FOR EXCELLENCE?
The stronger the Fund for Excellence Annual Fund, the better equipped our schools are in providing the challenging, loving and safe learning environment we offer our students. A strong Annual Fund means the schools capacity for meeting the most urgent needs of our students can be so without hesitation. A strong Annual Fund ensures our students are the beneficiaries of the best education experience in the Delta.

We invite you to join your fellow alumni, friends and business associates and participate in the St. Joseph School System Fund for Excellence Annual Fund.

BRIDGE THE GAP - THE 2004-2005 FUND FOR EXCELLENCE ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
We have an ambitious goal of $100,000 for this year's Annual Fund. We need your help to "Bridge the Gap" that exists between the cost to educate a student and the price of tuition. Open the "Bridge the Gap" The Fund for Excellence Annual Fund Brochure, for more details.

Gifts to the Fund for Excellence Annual Fund may be mailed to:
The Fund for Excellence Annual Fund
St. Joseph Catholic Schools
1501 VFW Road
Greenville, MS 38701

For more information contact the Development Office at 662-378-2359.