Finances

School finances are a major concern for almost every administrator in the country.  Even those schools fortunate to have healthy budgets are seeing the effects of fewer or smaller donations and rising costs.  At the heart of the problem is the fact that many schools continue to be supported by single parishes and individual tuition payments.  However, the support of Catholic education must be shared by the whole  community—using increasingly innovative financial management methods, creative fundraising efforts, and other cost-saving initiatives, such as:

Using alternative governance models that group schools under a top-level administrative board at the diocesan level or within a regional consortium. This allows for more solid leadership, stronger buying power and cost savings, and more equitable sharing of resources among all the schools—including staff benefits.   Supporting clustering programs that combine two or more smaller schools into larger educational entities, which promotes savings on everything from operating costs to staffing.   Investigating your school's eligibility for federal E-Rate funding, which can pay for Internet access, telecommunications, and other specific aspects of technology.  E-Rate is an important funding source often overlooked by Catholic schools, but many rural and urban schools could be eligible.  For more information, read our E-Rate Guide for Catholic Schools.

Becoming involved in the school choice movement, which supports programs and legislation that can benefit Catholic schools, such as school voucher programs. Increasing enrollment among non-catholic students, which can answer both schools’ financial and evangelization mission needs. Reaching out to non-traditional sources of philanthropy, such as private businesses and foundations, which understand the benefits well-educated children bring to the whole community.  Initiating Catholic education stewardship programs in each parish—regardless if the parish has its own school or not.