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Fundraising Activities While Bishop Baraga School receives the bulk of its funding through direct parish support and student tuition, we still rely on a number of fundraising activities to help supplement these funds. Below is a brief description of these activities along with how the funds are used. These events are made possible through the volunteer efforts of our school families and other community supporters. If you think your talents could help us with any of these activities, please contact the school office at (231) 627-5608. Building Campaign Money continues to be raised through the collection of pledges made for the construction of the new school building. These funds are used to pay a low-interest loan that was provided through the diocese. So far, $1,957,475 has been paid on the $3,382,000 loan. Baraga Boosters Annual Gala This annual event, which is held each fall, is the main fundraising activity of the Baraga Boosters. It features a high-end dinner dance, live auction, silent auction and grand prize raffle. This event generally raises $140,000 which goes directly to the school to fund annual operating expenses. Eagle Club The Eagle Club is operated by the Baraga Boosters and provides people with an opportunity to become an “eagle” by making a special donation to the school. There are several set categories ranging from $100 to $15,000+. Eagle members are recognized by having their names engraved on plaques displayed in the school and by an annual thank-you dinner. Donations of $1,000 and above also entitle the member to free tickets to the annual Baraga Gala and a free grand prize raffle ticket. Money raised through the Eagle Club goes directly to fund the school's annual operating expenses. St. Patrick’s Day Party This party is the major annual fundraising effort of the Home and School Association. It includes a dance and silent auction open to the public and usually raises $15,000 to $17,000 each year. These funds are used for special projects and equipment purchases that the annual budget does not cover, such as playground equipment, library supplies, subscriptions and classroom supplies. Scrip Gift Card Program A fund raising activity of the Home and School Association, this program sells gift cards for local and regional businesses, including grocery stores, gas stations and major retail outlets. Purchasers pay only the face value of the gift card, but the retailer donates a percentage of this face value back to the school. A portion of these donations is then given back to the purchasing family for them to use toward tuition costs. The remainder of the donation is allocated to the school's scholarship fund. Scholarship Endowment Fund Gifts & Bequests Managed by the Educational Foundation, this fund is a restricted investment account currently at $160,000. Gifts to this fund are an eternal legacy that will benefit the school for generations to come. The interest from this fund is dispersed each year to the Scholarship Committee. Over the last ten years, $30,000 has been used to assist with tuition costs for students. Student Activities There are a variety of smaller fundraising activities managed by the school administration and faculty or our students. These include the following: - Magazine sales raise additional money for school operating expenses. - Wreath sales, soda can drives, pizza sales and community dances raise money for the Washington, D.C. class trip. - Dress-down day donations and a variety of other activities are used to generate money for student charity functions such as the sponsoring of a child in Guatemala, the St. Thomas Food Pantry and the "Together Lifting Children" (TLC) Program. |