A Partnership Between Tuition & Philanthropy: Fueling the 10% Difference.

Every day, we are expanding opportunities, enriching our programs, and reimagining how we inspire students to lead with confidence and character.

The St. Mary’s Fund is what brings this vision to life.

Because tuition covers approximately 90% of our daily operations, our community’s shared generosity bridges the remaining 10% difference. It is an investment rooted in gratitude—ensuring our teachers have the resources to innovate and every Falcon has the environment to thrive. It touches Every Student. Every Teacher. Every Day. This Year.

New This Year: Share Your Gratitude with a FalconGram

Philanthropy begins with gratitude. When you make your gift or pledge to the St. Mary’s Fund this year, you will have the opportunity to send a FalconGram, a personal note of appreciation, to a teacher, coach, or staff member who has made a meaningful impact on your child’s life.

Every FalconGram goes directly to our educators, connecting your generosity with heartfelt thanks to the people who bring the St. Mary’s experience to life each day.

Investing in Our Mission: Understanding the Operational Gap

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, St. Mary’s tuition covers our core operations, but philanthropy fuels the St. Mary’s difference. To keep our tuition as accessible as possible while delivering an extraordinary educational experience, our operating budget relies on a combination of tuition and philanthropic support.

Fundraising isn’t just an add-on; as a nonprofit, it is fundamental to how we operate and innovate. Your support ensures our students have the resources they deserve.

Every gift makes an impact, and 100% community participation is our goal.

QUESTIONS

Contact the Development Office:

Sarah Abuel-Saud,
Director of Annual & Leadership Giving

sarah.abuel-saud@smaa.org

(949) 448-9027 x:324

The St. Mary’s DifferenceThe St. Mary’s Fund is our top fundraising priority every year because it directly impacts every student, every teacher, and every program. Each gift closes the gap between what tuition covers and what it actually takes to provide this extraordinary education.

Your support:

Elevates Our Programs: In the Design Center, the Arts, and Athletics, students discover their voices, take creative risks, and build lasting confidence.
Enhances Learning & Growth: Drives academic excellence for all students through enriched classroom resources, innovative technology, and hands-on International Baccalaureate learning.
Empowers Our Dedicated Educators: Equips our teachers with specialized professional development, curriculum resources, and the classroom support they need to inspire, challenge, and care for every child.

Giving Levels and Recognition

All donors are recognized in the annual Report on Philanthropy. Gifts of $5,000 and above are celebrated with an invitation to our annual Fall Leadership Reception.

Giving Levels

Visionaries Circle: $25,000+

HEAD OF SCHOOL Circle: $10,000 – $24,999

LEADERSHIP Circle: $5,000 – $9,999

Sustainers Circle: $3,000 – $4,999

Benefactors: $1,500 – $2,999

Patrons: $1,000 – $1,499

Supporters: $500 – $999

Friends: Up to $499

YOUR GENEROUS GIFT MATTERS

DONATE OR PLEDGE TO THE ST. MARY'S FUND BY CLICKING HERE

OR

WAYS TO GIVE:

Cash or Check

Credit Card

Pledges

Pledges are a popular way for families to demonstrate their commitment to support St. Mary’s early in the campaign, yet delay payment for a later date that works better for their family or maximizes a tax deduction. Pledges can be fulfilled by cash, check, credit card or securities in one installment or monthly installments before a specified pledge payment period. Pledges can be made online. (Click here!)

Matching Gifts

Many corporations demonstrate their support to St. Mary’s by matching their employees’ donations to our school. Matching gifts can double your contribution to St. Mary’s. Donors are recognized for the total combined amount of their gift plus their employer's matching gift. Please consult your company’s human resources to inquire about a matching program, or the Development Office so we can research that information for you.

Restricted Gifts

Gifts of Securities

Planned Giving

Planned gifts are made now and distributed in the future. Including St. Mary’s in an estate plan provides for the long-term fiscal health of St. Mary’s School and allows donors to receive immediate or deferred tax benefits while leaving a legacy. All parents and grandparents are encouraged to consider naming St. Mary’s in their will and making the school aware of their gift.

Capital Campaign

To realize goals identified in the school’s Strategic Plan, the Board of Trustees will, when needed, initiate a capital campaign to meet facilities, program and endowment needs that the school cannot pay for out of tuition funds. A Capital Campaign will support major projects such as new campus construction and renovations to maintain state-of-the-art facilities. Capital campaign gifts are significantly larger than annual fund contributions and therefore are pledges paid over a multi-year period.

Corporate and Foundation Giving

How to Give

Donate Online or Make a Pledge.
Bring your donation to the Development Office.
Mail your donation to: St. Mary’s, Advancement Office, 7 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.

Other Ways to Financially Support St. Mary’s School

Gifts of tangible personal property
Attend fundraising events
Event Sponsorship/Underwriting

For further information regarding these opportunities, please contact Sarah Abuel-Saud, Director of Annual & Leadership Giving at (949) 448-9027 x324 or sarah.abuel-saud@smaa.org