supporting sea crest school
As with most independent schools, tuition at Sea Crest does not cover the full cost of education. In order to make a Sea Crest accessible to a wider population, tuition—already about 30% lower than at comparable schools—is set at a level that covers only about 85 percent of the school’s annual operating expenses. Ten percent of the remaining is generated with the help of the Sea Crest community. And, unlike tuition, contributions are tax-deductible. Please read on to learn more about our giving campaigns and events.
giving campaigns
Gifts to Sea Crest’s giving campaigns—the annual fund, capital campaigns, and endowment—strengthen the school’s financial foundation, allow for expansion and improvement of our facilities, and ensure that both current and future students will have access to an excellent educational opportunity.
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annual giving
In 2005, Sea Crest established the Williamson Annual Giving Fund. This fund, named after Sea Crest founders Bob and Joni Williamson, is the core of Sea Crest's fundraising, helping us close the gap between what we charge in tuition and the actual cost of educating a child. It is supported by voluntary tax-deductible donations, allowing each family to give based on its ability.
Our goal is to have 100% participation in the annual gift-giving program, and each year parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, board members and friends of the school take part in this vital campaign.
Contributions to the Williamson Annual Giving Fund may be made anytime during our fiscal year, and will be reflected in the school's annual report published the following fall.
Many employers have gift-matching programs; contact your human resources department for more information.
endowment
The Sea Crest Endowment is designed to provide support over the long term for the school's annual operating budget by generating income on the Fund’s principal. This means that, over time, the school will be able to help offset the cost of operations and keep tuition levels as low as possible.
Gifts to the Endowment are restricted gifts, which mean the school cannot use the money for any other purpose. This differs from gifts to the Williamson Annual Giving Fund, which provides current- year operating expenses. As with any donation to Sea Crest, your gift toward the Endowment is tax deductible.
We especially hope that graduating families will consider a contribution to Sea Crest for the benefit of this Fund. Not only will you help establish momentum for building the Endowment, but it is a great way to “leave it better than you found it” and to make a meaningful impact on future generations of Sea Crest families.
capital campaigns
Capital campaigns are kicked off on an as-needed basis to help us generate the funds to do capital improvements to our facilities. Currently, we are running a campaign to raise funds to complete the buildout our science labs in the summer of 2011.
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giving events
Every year the parent association organizes three major fundraising events—the auction, scholarship run, and book fair—as well as a handful of smaller events, including a holiday raffle and Original Art sales. These events are crucial to the health of our school and our ability to provide financial aid.
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auction
Each year, the Sea Crest Parent Association holds the Coastside's largest auction. It is a gala event that features fine food, dancing, and terrific auction items—many of them one-of-a-kind—that have been generously donated by Sea Crest families, Coastside merchants and beyond. It's a great chance to dress up, socialize, and help support the programs at Sea Crest School.
scholarship run
Each spring, the Parent Association holds the Ginger Girvin Scholarship Run to raise funds to bring more families into the Sea Crest fold. The run, named after the Sea Crest founder and educator, has almost 100% student participation and brings in a substantial portion of our financial aid budget. Run sponsors donate t-shirts and prizes for the top fundraisers, as well as for the students who run the most laps in each grade.
scholastic book fair
Twice a year, in the fall and spring, the Parent Association organizes the Scholastic Book Fair, a fantastic way to do your holiday shopping, encourage your children to read, and fundraise all at once.
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e-fundraising and ongoing programs
You could be putting money into Sea Crest's coffers without even having to think about it. Sea Crest participates in several ongoing fundraising programs, as listed below. Participation is not limited to Sea Crest families—anyone can be a supporter. Call the development office for information about how to sign up.
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eScrip
Visit eScrip.com to register your grocery store loyalty cards, credit cards and atm cards to get merchant donations as high as 9%. Search for Sea Crest by name or group number 137957665.
onecause
Do your online shopping through onecause.com and merchants make contributions to Sea Crest.
target “take charge of education” program
Use your Target VISA and Sea Crest gets 1% of all your Target and Target.com purchases.
box tops for education
Collect the seals from any of the hundreds of General Mills products and bring them to your classroom to be redeemed for cash by Sea Crest. Also, you can sign up at the Box Tops for Education website to earn bonus points throughout the year or to shop the Box Tops Marketplace, which gives Sea Crest a percentage of online purchases. Participation is not limited to parents—anyone can register as a Sea Crest supporter, and Sea Crest can get enrollment bonuses, too, so tell your friends and extended family.
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giving faqs
The success of our fundraising depends on educating our contituents about the importance of charitable giving. The following attempts to answer the many questions we hear each year. If you don't find the answer to your questions, please feel free to contact the business office at Sea Crest School, 650 712-9892, ext. 210.
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What makes Sea Crest an “independent” school?
Sea Crest is a non-profit organization that operates without financial support from local or federal taxes. The School relies on tuition fees, annual giving, and auxiliary income (income from facility rentals, etc.) to operate.
Why should I make a gift to Sea Crest?
Excellence at Sea Crest is linked directly to the generosity of our extended community. Support from parents, alumni, grandparents and friends allow Sea Crest to educate our children with quality, care and the resources necessary to better their education.
By giving to Sea Crest School you show that you support the school, its values, and the high quality of education the students receive.
Tuition is expensive. Why must Sea Crest ask for additional money?
Tuition covers only about 85% of the yearly cost of educating a Sea Crest student. We depend upon charitable contributions to supplement tuition income and cover operating expenses including faculty and staff salaries and benefits, professional development, building maintenance, and tuition assistance. Without this additional support, tuition would be higher. In addition, unlike tuition payments, contributions are tax-deductible.
What is the Williamson Annual Giving Fund?
The Williamson Annual Giving Fund is an indispensable source of unrestricted income and an important part of the annual operating budget. Gifts to the Fund help to close the gap between the income received from tuition and the total cost of a Sea Crest education. Each year, the Williamson Annual Giving Fund must increase in order to keep pace with inflation and the increased budgetary needs of the school.
How much should we give to the Williamson Annual Giving Fund?
Sea Crest needs and appreciates gifts of every size. Last year, we received gifts of $10 on up. We hope that parents and guardians will make Sea Crest their highest philanthropic priority, and we encourage families to give at a level that is proportionate to their giving ability. Participation among current families has grown from 45% in the fund's first year to 85% today. We strive for 100% participation each year.
Who supports the Annual Fund?
Parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty, and members of the coastside community all give to the Annual Fund. The success of the Annual Fund depends on the participation of the entire Sea Crest community.
Are those who volunteer their time to Sea Crest also expected to support the Annual Fund?
Yes, we need both volunteers and financial contributions to survive! Volunteerism is a vital part of our community and Sea Crest parents give extraordinary gifts of time, but service is not a substitute for contributing to the Annual Fund.
Does Sea Crest have any restricted funds?
While unrestricted giving provides flexible funds that can be used where most needed, some donors may wish to direct the use of their gift or part of their gift to a specific need. The endowment fund is also restricted; income generated on the fund's principal will support our operating budget. Please contact the development office for more information.
Does Sea Crest hold additional fundraising events?
The Parent Association leads a number of events throughout the year, including an annual Auction and the Ginger Girvin Scholarship Run. Family fundraising activities help strengthen our community and provide additional support for Sea Crest. Participating in these activities is a great way to get involved in our community and meet other Sea Crest families.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Sea Crest is a 501(c)(3) organization as determined by the IRS. All gifts of cash qualify for charitable deduction in the year of payment as prescribed by law. If you make a gift of appreciated securities, you will be entitled to a charitable deduction on the fair market value of the securities on the date of the gift, and you will not incur any capital gains tax on the appreciation.
How may we make a gift to Sea Crest School?
Sea Crest accepts gifts via cash, check or credit card. You may also donate online through justgive.org.
Giving a gift of appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds can be to your financial advantage. In most cases you may claim a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value on the shares and avoid capital gains tax. Please consult your financial advisor to clarify the advantages. If you intend to give a gift of securities, please call (or have your broker call) the Business Office.
Many employers offer programs that will match or even multiply an employee's gift to Sea Crest. This is an easy way to dramatically increase the impact of your contribution. Simply obtain a form from your company's Matching Gift Coordinator (usually in the Human Resources or Community Relations Department), fill it out and send it in with your contribution.
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volunteerism
Sea Crest welcomes parent participation, and there are countless opportunities for being an active part of our school, from working with children in classrooms and on field trips, to behind-the-scenes activities such as hospitality, infrastructure upkeep, and fundraising.
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hours requirement
Our families are required to volunteer 20 hours per school year—five of them in fundraising activities—but the convivial atmosphere means most volunteer more than the minimum. The following are some of the ways in which you might contribute. If you have special professional expertise, please contact the parent association president to help connect you with the right committee.
Volunteers are asked to click on the link to log in hours online.
committees and events
admissions ambassadors
adopt-a-family
all-school workdays
annual giving class rep
auction
beach cleanup
blood drive
book fair
classroom volunteers
community building
dance chaperones
development*
electronic fundraising
facilities*
finance* |
food drive
front desk assistance
graduation
health and safety*
hospitality
last-day BBQ
lost and found
lunch program
marketing*
new-family buddies
open houses
original arts program
parade of lights
parent assn leadership
parking lot safety
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pumpkin festival
room parents
scarecrow competition
scholarship run
science fair
school pictures
school musical
service-learning programs
staff appreciation event
technology*
telephone systems
welcome-back BBQ
winter concert
yearbook
young author's week |
*board sub committee
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