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The Annual Fund is the number 1 fundraising priority of Providence Christian Academy and provides vital operational resources that support ALL PCA students across 4 key areas of our academy: Athletics, Academics, Fine Arts, and Student Life. Your support of the PCA Annual Fund bridges the approximate 10% gap between tuition revenue and operational expenses each year. We encourage all PCA families to make a direct gift to the Annual Fund and take part in our seasonal fundraising events. Every gift is important and promotes a culture of giving that enables us to realize our mission together. We are humbled and encouraged by God’s continued provision for our school through the generosity of our families, friends, and sponsors. Thank you for your support!
What is The 1996 Society?
Recognizing and honoring our donors and their generosity is an important aspect of our Annual Fund program. We are grateful to all of our supporters and their investment in PCA. The 1996 Society was established to provide special recognition for donors taking the lead in giving by making a Direct Gift of $500 or more to the Annual Fund. We invite you to take your next step in giving and consider a gift at The 1996 Society level this year.
The 1996 Society Giving Levels
Lion’s Den $500 – $999
Blue & Gold Circle $1,000 – $2,499
Crest Society $2,500 – $4,999
Barn Club $5,000 – $7,499
Classical Society $7,500 – $9,999
Three Pillars Society $10,000 – $14,999
Esse Quam Videri $15,000 and above
2023-2024 Annual Fund Parent Coordinator Team
Ross & Melissa Bradley, Annual Fund Co-Chair
Shawn & Emily Hicklen, Annual Fund Co-Chair
Jared & Margaret Bramlett
Dave & Angela Dedman
Brock & Jenny East
Chris & Virginia Hand
BJ & Tamara Kerstiens
Anthony Newsome
Scott & Becca Wilson
Jason & Robin Wrather
The Annual Fund Parent Coordinator team is a group of parent volunteers who promote giving at PCA throughout the year by encouraging others to support PCA’s Annual Fund and serve as a contact for new families at the New Family Parent Breakfast. This team is an essential factor in sharing stories of impact and building a mission-driven culture of generosity at PCA. Finally, these parents are committed to modeling PCA’s Parent Pillar, by being informed, involved, and invested.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When your family makes a charitable financial contribution to PCA, you are making a significant impact on the quality of education your child receives and the overall mission of our academy. Your financial contributions support the people and programs that make PCA the special place it is, with talented teachers, small class sizes, technology advancements, instructional and library resources, and enriching fine arts and athletics programs. Your gifts support your child’s education and contribute to the overall success of Providence Christian Academy in the following ways:
Enhanced Educational Experience: Your contributions help us maintain and enhance our academic, athletic, fine art, and student life programs, ensuring your child receives a well-rounded and exceptional education.
Enriched Resources: We can invest in resources such as updated textbooks, technology, and classroom materials, which directly benefit your child’s learning experience.
Faculty Excellence: By supporting our teachers through professional development and competitive compensation, we attract and retain exceptional educators who play a crucial role in your child’s education.
Facilities and Infrastructure: Contributions allow us to continue to maintain a safe, comfortable, and inspiring learning environment for all students.
Culture Building: Your gifts promote a culture of generosity within the PCA family that strengthens our bond and shared purpose.
Mission Fulfillment: Your contributions directly align with our mission of teaching students to seek God’s truth and equipping them with the tools for a lifetime of learning.
We greatly appreciate your partnership in fulfilling our mission!
Providence Christian Academy could not operate on tuition alone without making significant changes. Charitable gifts are a necessary part of every independent school’s healthy financial profile. Without them, it would be more difficult to maintain essentials like low student-to-teacher ratios, faculty and curriculum development, improved technology, library resources, a thriving arts program, and athletic equipment. While tuition is an essential source of revenue and covers the majority of our costs, we rely on the charitable contributions to our Annual Fund to cover approximately 10% of our annual operating budget. These Annual Fund donations are vital to bridge the gap and ensure that we can continue providing outstanding education, maintaining our facilities, and supporting our mission of teaching students to seek God’s truth and equipping them with the tools for a lifetime of learning. Your support, along with that of other generous donors, plays a crucial role in sustaining and enriching our school community.
While it’s true that running independent schools more like big businesses might allow them to charge full cost without relying on charitable contributions, there are important factors to consider:
Non-Profit Status: Unlike a business that aims to earn a profit, PCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution with the goal of fulfilling our mission and providing students with the very best educational experience possible each year. Unlike tuition, charitable contributions to PCA are tax-deductible for donors, allowing them to reduce their taxable income and potentially lower their overall tax liability while supporting a worthy cause that aligns with their personal beliefs and values.
Educational Quality: By nature, high-quality schools are labor-intensive and people-oriented. Maintaining a high standard of education often requires investments in facilities, faculty, and resources beyond what tuition can cover. Charitable contributions bridge this gap and enhance the overall educational experience.
Accessibility: One of the key principles of many independent schools, including Providence Christian Academy, is to provide an education that is accessible to a diverse range of students. Charging the full cost of education without any form of financial assistance or scholarship opportunities made possible through charitable contributions could make education unattainable for some families.
Voluntary Giving: Charitable contributions come from the faith, generosity, and goodwill of the PCA community, which includes parents, grandparents, alumni parents, friends of PCA, local businesses, and alumni. This sense of community and shared responsibility strengthens the school’s culture and mission.
Ideally, current families will consider PCA as one of their top philanthropic priorities. Our school has fewer supporters than older/larger K-12 independent schools or universities with a large alumni base; therefore, it is even more critical to have a higher percentage of current families as supporters.
Annual Fund gifts range from under $100 to well over $20,000. We encourage families to consider giving to The 1996 Society if they are able. With levels at $500 to $15,000 or more, these leadership gifts ensure that we raise the necessary funds for our students above and beyond what tuition covers to support our programs, faculty, and facilities.
As for the impact of your gift, every contribution, regardless of its size, can make a significant difference. When combined with gifts from other donors, your contribution becomes part of a larger pool of resources, collectively making a substantial impact on the school’s budget. If you’re unsure about the amount, consider starting small and gradually increasing over time as your financial situation allows.
Finally, your gift fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among school families, alumni, and supporters. The amount you give is a personal decision, and every gift, no matter the size, plays a vital role in sustaining and enriching Providence Christian Academy. Your contribution contributes to the school’s success, mission, and the educational experience of all students.
As the giving graphic on the Annual Fund page illustrates, direct gifts and seasonal fundraising events are essential to meeting our Annual Fund goal each year. Direct gifts to the annual fund are the most flexible and immediate way to provide financial support to the school. Your direct gift will have an immediate impact on PCA’s students, faculty, and campus.
Our seasonal fundraising events provide opportunities for community engagement and generate additional revenue for the school through business and personal sponsorships, in-kind gifts of goods or services to be sold/auctioned, and other sales/profits. Participation in each event is a social and enjoyable way to support PCA that builds relationships between parents and supporters, enhancing our overall parent and student life experience.
Each year our goal is for every family at PCA to make a direct gift and participate/attend one or more events as they are able. What’s most important is your willingness to contribute and support PCA in a way that aligns with your values and capabilities. You may also consider discussing your gift or sponsorship options with the school’s development office for personalized guidance.
We encourage all families to make their gift as soon as they are able. The earlier we receive your gift, the earlier we can put it to work for our students. However, the best time to make your annual fund gift or pledge will also depend on your individual circumstances, how your contribution fits into your budget, and any potential tax benefits. Contributions for the current fiscal/academic year are accepted through June 30.
If you’re not ready to make a full contribution upfront, you may pledge your support early in the school year and fulfill it over a designated period, which could be months or the entire school year. Depending on your location and tax laws, making your contribution before the end of the calendar year can have tax benefits. Be sure to consult with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
If your employer offers a matching gift program, check with your HR department to learn about their deadlines and requirements. This can effectively double your contribution. You can also reach out to the PCA’s development office for guidance on the best timing for your gift.
Yes! PCA is grateful to the corporations that support us through generous matching gift programs. Please ask your employer about matching gift programs that support K–12 schools. This is a great way to increase your gift to PCA. Even if PCA is not currently registered with your employer’s matching gift program, you can often request that the school be added to the list of eligible organizations. This can be a proactive step in facilitating matching gift contributions from your employer.
Yes, please consider giving to the annual fund or making charitable contributions to Providence Christian Academy even if you receive tuition assistance. Giving back to the school, even in a modest way, is a meaningful expression of gratitude for the financial assistance your family receives. It demonstrates your appreciation for the opportunity your child has to attend the school and makes a positive impact in the following ways:
Paying It Forward: Your contribution can help provide financial assistance to other families in need, ensuring that more students can benefit from the excellent education and opportunities provided by PCA.
Strengthening the Community: Charitable giving fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among all school families, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Impact Beyond Tuition: Your gift can support various aspects of the school, such as academic programs, faculty development, and facility improvements, which benefit all students, including those receiving tuition assistance.
Building a Tradition of Giving: By giving, you set an example for your child about the importance of philanthropy and practicing generosity.
It’s important to note that the amount you give should be comfortable for your family within your financial means. Every contribution, regardless of its size, can make a difference and help strengthen Providence Christian Academy’s mission and the educational experience it offers to all students. Your willingness to give, despite receiving tuition assistance, is a powerful way to support the school’s mission, vision, and values.
