WHAT IS THE ANNUAL GIVING FUND?
The Annual Giving Fund provides the resources for the academy's daily and on-going operational costs. These funds enable the academy to provide the best possible educational opportunities and to prepare our students for a college education and the challenges of life. Your gift will reinforce the values, love, and faith that lead to a lifetime of responsible leadership in family, professional life, the Church, and society.

WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE?
When you contribute to the Annual Giving Fund, your gift is multiplied in the lives of deserving young women. The positive impact you will have on our students is immeasurable. Just one example is the Class of 2003 -- these young women were awarded over $4 million in college scholarships. And thanks to benefactors like you, the academy recently made much needed renovations, installed a sound system in the chapel, and equipped the computer lab with new computers. But there is much more that needs to be done!

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL MY GIFT MAKE?
From modest gifts ($30 for a science lab weather chart) to substantial ones ($500,000 to renovate the rear porches), EVERY CONTRIBUTION MAKES AN IMPACT HERE. Your financial support is critical to the academy’s current and future strength.

The academy strives to keep tuition within the means of those who value quality Catholic education. For this reason, the academy's affordable tuition does not cover the ACTUAL cost to educate each student. We therefore rely on philanthropists like you to make up that difference!

By joining one of the support circles below, YOU will help ensure the academy maintains its high standards for generations of young women to come. Contact the Development Office at 410.744.8498, x139 for a detailed list of specific sponsorship opportunities.

$5,000 or more
Sacred Heart Society

$1,000 to $4,999
St. Francis de Sales Society

$500 to $999
St. Jane Frances de Chantal Circle

$100 to $499
St. Cecilia Guild

$10 to $99
Padre Pio Patrons

WHAT TYPES OF GIFTS ARE ACCEPTED?
Gifts may be made in many forms, such as monetary gifts, appreciated property, insurance, investments, or charitable trusts. This list is by no means exhaustive - always consult your attorney or professional advisor. Check out these ways to give:

CASH	Cash gifts are helpful immediately, and are tax deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income in a given tax year.
CREDIT	Credit card donations are accepted beginning at a minimum of $25.00.
MATCHING	Many employers offer free full and partial matching donations. Contact your employer’s personnel office to request a matching gift form. Forward the completed form, along with your gift, to the academy.
PLEDGE	A substantial pledge may be made, then paid to the academy in installments over a specified period of time.
STOCK	Giving long-term appreciated securities enables you to avoid capital gains tax, yet claim a charitable gift tax deduction for the present market value of the stock.
BEQUEST	By specifying the distribution of your assets after your death, you avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary taxes. Contact your lawyer to add the following codicil to your will: “I give, devise, and bequeath to Mount de Sales Academy, 700 Academy Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228 for its general purposes all (or state fraction or percentage) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real or personal.” OR “I give and bequeath the sum of $________ to be used for the general purposes of Mount de Sales Academy, 700 Academy Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228.”

OKAY, SO WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Last year, the academy spent only 2.2% of its resources on fund raising.

The remaining 97.8% was utilized directly for the operation, academic administration, and maintenance of our historic academy campus. This includes faculty salaries, scholarships, academic programs, co-curricular activities, and historic renovations.

YES! - HOW DO I GIVE?
Together we can do it! To make your donation, simply mail your gift to:

Mount de Sales Academy
Development Office
700 Academy Road
Catonsville, MD 21228

QUESTIONS?
Contact the Development Office at 410.744.8498, x139.