Endowment and Named Funds

Pictured above are named endowment fund donors.


Endowment Giving

Great independent schools, like Maryvale, talk often about the importance of the endowment fund. However, endowments can be a bit confusing. The following, therefore, is a primer, or an “Endowment 101”, to provide clarity and invite further discussion.

  • Endowments provide a steady stream of revenue for the school to use annually for a variety of purposes, designated by donors. Many are surprised to learn that tuition does not cover the cost of education. In fact, in 2023, tuition provides approximately 85% of the true cost of education. To supplement this deficit, the School relies on the Annual Fund and income from the Endowment Fund.
  • As of fall 2023, Maryvale’s total endowment is more than $8 Million, dramatically up from less than $1 Million ten years ago, but significantly lower than needed to ensure financial stability.
  • In reports for the 2022-2023 academic year, Maryvale’s endowment per student, a common measure for comparison, placed the School below the 25th percentile, in comparison to other independent and Catholic schools in the area, underscoring the School’s need to significantly increase the endowment total. 
  • Maryvale, like its peers, “draws down” an agreed-upon percentage of the total endowment fund, generally in the range of 4 to 5 percent annually, leaving the balance of the fund invested in perpetuity.
  • The endowment is professionally managed by Catholic Investment Services.  Oversight of investment policies and performance rests with the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees.
  • A strong endowment is an important indicator of whether a school can weather unexpected setbacks, such as a tight economy, inflation, or a drop in enrollment.
  • Average endowments at all-girl schools lag significantly behind those at male and coed schools, putting single-sex education for women more at risk. Catholic school endowments, on average, trail way behind secular schools, putting students in Catholic schools more at risk. 
  • Endowment gifts offer donors a personal opportunity to earmark their support for something that matters to them. Many donors establish named funds or contribute to funds providing direct tuition support for students. Others choose to provide faculty with opportunities to continue their own learning or embark on an adventure that sparks creativity in the classroom.  Some direct support to programs that made a transformative difference in their (or their daughters’ lives) such as the Mitchell Leadership Institute, the St. Julie Billiart Program, arts, or athletics. It is truly up to the donor!

We invite you to consider contributing to one of the funds listed below. If you would like to learn more about an individual fund or establishing an endowment fund, please contact Tracey Ford at fordt@maryvale.com.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Contact


Tracey H. Ford

Director of Special Projects and Giving

fordt@maryvale.com

 

Donor Recognition Societies and Clubs


The Françoise Society
(Leadership Gifts of $1,250 or more)

1945 Society
$1,250 – $2,499

Castle Society
$2,500-$4,999

Tower Society
$5,000 - $9,999

St. Julie Billiart Society
$10,000 - $24,999

Namur Society
$25,000 - $49,999

Wickcliffe Society
$50,000 or more


We welcome you to designate a contribution to one of Maryvale's endowment funds, which are described below.