Why Give?

Your gift to The Annual Fund provides essential support for OLA’s talented faculty, exceptional academic programs, and supreme opportunities for students.  Join the many parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and special friends in making a gift to the Annual Fund.  It’s the best way to demonstrate your belief in the value of an OLA education.

What is The Annual Fund and where do its dollars go?
Whether it’s inside or outside of the classroom, The Annual Fund helps OLA live up to its mission of nurturing the whole child – mind, body and spirit. Like other Catholic schools, The Annual Fund is an annual fundraising appeal to bridge the gap between the total cost of operating the school and tuition revenue. Tuition alone cannot fund the entire cost associated with a private education at OLA or any other independent school. Tuition covers 80 percent of our school’s annual operating budget. OLA relies on gifts to the Annual Fund to raise a portion of the additional 20 percent needed to sustain the school’s commitment to providing each student with the highest quality education possible.

The money from this fund allows students to continue to experience the great music, art and physical education programs we offer here at OLA.This money ensures that technology and curricular enhancements - like the brand new “Reading Street” reading series continue to occur. It also provides for the continued professional development for our outstanding teaching staff so that they can continue to offer the best education to the students of OLA.
                    
Why can’t OLA increase tuition to cover the full cost of educating each student?    
Large increases in tuition would make OLA less affordable for many families. Our philosophy is to prudently manage the operational budget to minimize tuition increases. Tax-deductible donations to The Annual Fund, keep tuition costs manageable and provide needed funds to operate the school including financial aid to needy families.      

How does your gift to The Annual Fund attract support from outside organizations?  
Many corporations provide a match for every dollar contributed to The Annual Fund – essentially doubling and even tripling the value of your gift.

Also, corporations, foundations, and other grant-making organizations look first at the voluntary support provided by OLA’s community before deciding the level at which they will support our school. A high participation rate from OLA’s community is critical. Every gift makes a difference.