Years ago, the school partnered with a consultant to help secure Saint Michael School financially for the long term. Based upon the advice of this consultant, it was determined that a $4 million dollar endowment fund would ensure the future sustainability of the school by removing all tuition assistance from the operating budget. While this is an ambitious long-term vision of the school, we are committed each year to fundraiser efforts and partnerships with donors to make progress towards our goal.
Currently, tuition assistance comes from three sources: fundraising efforts by our families, the generosity and sacrifice of our faculty and staff to work for a salary that is far lower than their peers in the public school sector, and the financial gifts of donors. If the school was able to completely eliminate financial aid from our operating costs, we could offer a more competitive wage to recruit and retain excellent educators, and ensure that any family that needs a little help can receive it.
We currently benefit from three funds established through the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation. The first was established by members of the SMS Alumni Association in 2019 to give back to the school itself, while the other two funds were established by private donors to benefit children through tuition assistance each year. We are so grateful to our donors for making an investment into the future of our students. Each year, we are able to provide scholarships to families thanks to our growing endowment fund.
To make a contribution to one of our endowment funds, click here:
https://vtcatholicfoundation.org/donate-catholic-schools
calling (802) 222-0224
or by emailing [email protected]
St. Michael School Fund
To provide funding for financial aid scholarships at St. Michael School, Brattleboro, VT.
St. Michael School Gary Arthur Hines Fund
To provide funding for financial aid scholarships to eligible students of St. Michael School, Brattleboro, VT.
St. Michael Catholic Grammar School of Brattleboro Fund
To provide funding for operations.
The goal is ambitious but we are certain that there are people within the community who dream as big as we do: those who want to see Catholic Schools thriving, with healthy enrollment, highly qualified faculty, and families who delight in the educational experience available to their children.