WHAT: The Education Endowment Fund Campaign is a parish-wide effort to establish a fund to be used to secure and protect long-term quality Catholic education at St. Agnes. The initial goal is $1.5 million dollars. Once $1 million is on deposit, the investment proceeds will be used for the following, and ONLY the following:

• Teacher incentives and bonuses tied to performance
• Teacher grants for higher education and external learning
• Curriculum improvement
• Tuition assistance
• New program development
  

WHY: To ensure St. Agnes continues to be a key part of the fabric of West Chester for Catholic education and to continually enhance St. Agnes School’s academic capabilities.

WHO: All parishioners and the local community will be asked to support this campaign through prayer, volunteer work and financial support. The “Leadership Team” was formed several months ago, and they began initial visits to members of the Parish who were able to make significant three year pledges. This group then recruited “Pacesetters” and “Captains” who have continued to seek helpers or “visitors.” The goal is to make personal visits to all parishioners to share the goals of the endowment and invite financial support.

WHEN: Planning began in January after a successful feasibility study was conducted last summer. Several small events have taken place over the past months to begin sharing the endowment goals and to prepare for the parish-wide “Kick-off” which begins with our parish celebration of Catholic education, “Breaking Bread Together”. The initial goal of $1.5 million pledged is expected to be reached by mid-June with the support of all parishioners. Gifts of all levels are needed. After the initial campaign, the endowment goals will be continued to be shared and financial support invited from the local community thereby growing the endowment and its impact on Catholic education.

WHERE: “Visits” are taking place everywhere – your home, restaurants, baseball and lacrosse fields etc. throughout the St. Agnes Community.

HOW: All funds collected from campaign pledges will be placed in a fund called the St. Agnes Education Endowment Fund. The Education Endowment By-Laws dictate how this fund will be managed and used. Briefly, the Fund itself will be overseen by an external investment firm, retained to manage the fund’s performance professionally and actively. The Education Endowment Board will select the investment firm. The Board will also be responsible for growing the Endowment and for annual financial reporting to the Parish.