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Catholic School QuestionsWhat are Archdiocesan Catholic schools?Are all Catholic schools owned by the Archdiocese? Who attends Archdiocesan schools? How much does it cost to operate Archdiocesan schools? Why does it cost less to educate children in Catholic schools than in public schools? Why do Catholic schools need support? Why can't Catholic schools support themselves? How are Catholic schools funded? Doesn't the Archdiocese of Seattle fund Catholic schools through the Annual Appeal? Are Archdiocesan schools in financial trouble? What support does Fulcrum provide to schools? Fulcrum Foundation QuestionsWhat is the Fulcrum Foundation?How much support does Fulcrum provide? Does Fulcrum plan to increase Tuition Assistance? How was Tuition Assistance provided in the past? What happened to the Catholic Fund? Is the Fulcrum Foundation a cause designated by the Archbishop? How does the Fulcrum Foundation plan to fund its mission? How can I make a contribution to the Fulcrum Foundation? Can donations to the Fulcrum Foundation be restricted? How will funds in the Fulcrum Foundation be invested? What assurance do donors have that the Fulcrum Foundation will honor stipulations on gift restrictions? Why should I donate to Fulcrum in addition to my local school? Catholic SchoolsWhat are Archdiocesan Catholic schools?Elementary and secondary schools affiliated with the Archdiocese of Seattle comprise the Archdiocesan school system. Currently there are 60 elementary schools and 9 high schools. Top Are all Catholic schools owned by the Archdiocese? Eighty-seven percent of Catholic schools, (56 elementary schools and 3 high schools), are owned by the Archdiocese and are known as Level 1 schools. The rest, known as Level 2 schools, are owned and administered by religious communities or independent lay boards of trustees. They include three elementary schools and six high schools. Top Who attends Archdiocesan schools? In 2007-08 the Archdiocesan school system comprised the ninth largest school district in Washington state, extending more than 25,000 square miles. 22,114 students attended Catholic schools, of whom 27% belonged to ethnic minorities and 82% were Catholic. 71% of these students attended elementary schools; 29% attended high schools. Top How much does it cost to operate Archdiocesan schools? The average cost-per-pupil in Archdiocesan elementary schools is $5,856. This compares with $8,000 for public schools. Tuition covers about 70% of the cost for school operations (average tuition is $4100), with parishes covering about 20% of the cost and the rest of the costs covered through fund raising and endowments. If all students currently enrolled in Catholic schools were transferred to public schools, the annual cost to taxpayers would be an additional $160 million per year, not counting the cost of school buildings and facilities. It should be noted that capital expenditures, debt service, and transportation costs are not included in calculating public school costs. Top Why does it cost less to educate children in Catholic schools than in public schools? The single greatest expense for any school system is salaries. Catholic school teachers are not always financially compensated at a level commensurate with their public school counterparts. Even if this were to change, as it should, costs would remain low because the administration of Catholic schools is site-based, thus not requiring costs associated with a large central administration. Top Why do Catholic schools need support? Like all schools, Catholic schools face the challenge of funding teacher's salaries at a just rate, of operating a school building, and of providing educational materials and technology. These costs continue to rise and will soon be out of reach for the very people who benefit most from a Catholic school education. Top Why can't Catholic schools support themselves? Most schools can and do support themselves. However, some communities are more challenged than others to pay the cost of tuition, even when it is kept as low as possible. Parishes provide a subsidy according to their ability, and each school conducts its own fundraising. Some schools even have a small endowment. Even so, some schools need help to meet expenses and to maintain a balanced budget. Top How are Catholic schools funded? Historically, Catholic schools have relied on three sources of funding: a reasonable subsidy from the parish (between 15-30% of the parish's ordinary income); tuition and fees, and local fundraising. In recent years, some schools have also established endowments. In most cases, this formula provides enough funding for a school's operating budget. However, some parishes, particularly in the inner cities of Seattle and Tacoma or in communities with hard-hit economies, are challenged by an increasing demand for educational services at a time when the parishes are largely comprised of families unable to pay the tuition. Top Doesn't the Archdiocese of Seattle fund Catholic schools through the Annual Appeal? The Annual Appeal supports the operating budget of the Catholic Schools Department, and a portion of that budget is donated to the Fulcrum Foundation for tuition assistance and for assistance to schools in need. The Annual Appeal does not directly support local schools. Top Are Archdiocesan schools in financial trouble? Yes and no. The Archdiocese of Seattle is confronted with the same financial challenges facing private and public school systems throughout the country. Archdiocesan schools must keep tuition affordable while providing quality, non-public education. This challenge poses a serious challenge to many but not to all of our Catholic schools. Top What support does Fulcrum provide to schools? Fulcrum's mission is to provide tuition assistance for children whose families cannot afford the full cost of tuition to a Catholic School; to provide assistance to schools in need; to support programs that promote excellence in teaching and faith formation; and to provide seed money to start new schools. Top Fulcrum FoundationWhat is the Fulcrum Foundation?The Fulcrum Foundation is a tax-exempt - 501(c)3, independent corporation, managed by a lay board of trustees. Fulcrum exists solely to leverage support for Catholic elementary schools and high schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle through annual fundraising and income from endowments. Top How much support does Fulcrum provide? In fiscal year 2007, the Fulcrum Foundation distributed $642,462 in tuition assistance to schoolchildren throughout the Archdiocese and $660,000 to 21 schools in need. Of these distributions, $155,000 went specifically to Rainbow schools, which serve ethnically diverse populations in Seattle. Another $25,802.79 in grants will fund teachers' initiatives. Top Does Fulcrum plan to increase Tuition Assistance? Yes. Presently, tuition assistance grant amounts are $750 per student. This is not enough. The average tuition for elementary school is $3,827 and for high schools, $7,406. The Foundation plans to increase tuition assistance to at least $1,000 for 1,200 children. Top How was Tuition Assistance provided in the past? Through the Gift of Faith Campaign, the Catholic Fund provided a generous, six-year program of support for tuition assistance and seed money for an endowment, with the understanding that a foundation would be established solely to support Catholic schools. Top What happened to the Catholic Fund? The mission of the Catholic Fund continues through the fundraising arm of Catholic Community Services (which supports Catholic charities), through the Fulcrum Foundation (which supports Catholic schools) and through the Crozier Society, an association of donors that contributes to causes designated by the Archbishop of Seattle. Top Is the Fulcrum Foundation a cause designated by the Archbishop? Yes. Contributions to Fulcrum are encouraged by the Archbishop and recognized by the Crozier Society. Top How does the Fulcrum Foundation plan to fund its mission? The Fulcrum Foundation sponsors annual fundraising events, especially the Celebration of Light, uses interest from its central endowments, and is conducting a capital campaign Embracing Our Legacy-Endowing the Future of Catholic Schools to increase endowments so that they will generate the necessary income. Top How can I make a contribution to the Fulcrum Foundation? Donations may be made in many ways:
Top Can donations to the Fulcrum Foundation be restricted? Yes. Donations may be restricted by the donor to any of the endowments of the Foundation. Donations for the minimum amount of $25,000 may be used to establish named scholarships or memorial funds within the central endowments of the Fulcrum Foundation. Top How will funds in the Fulcrum Foundation be invested? Investments will be managed by a professional financial management firm selected by the Board of Trustees. The Board will oversee investments and returns to ensure that they are managed wisely. Top What assurance do donors have that the Fulcrum Foundation will honor stipulations on gift restrictions? The terms of incorporation with the State of Washington obligates the Archbishop and the Board of Trustees to publish an independently audited annual report that details income, expenses, and distributions. Top Why should I donate to Fulcrum in addition to my local school? The Fulcrum Foundation oversees the needs of all schools and Catholic school families in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Fulcrum encourages donors to continue contributing to their local school while, at the same time, consider contributing to needs that go beyond their own school community. The Fulcrum Foundation is the ideal vehicle for ensuring the success of the entire Catholic School system in Western Washington. Top |
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