Fund Raising Overview

Fund raising at Hillcrest Christian School makes a significant difference between what the tuition and fees can provide and what actually is needed for a high quality educational experience. Approximately 86% of the expenses of a HCS education come from tuition and fees. Therefore, in order to provide the educational program at Hillcrest Christian School, we must provide funds through efforts aside from tuition and fees.

FUND RAISING GOALS:

It is our hope that through fund raising efforts, the following goals can be realized:

Please keep referring to these web site pages for more information regarding fund raising. They are filled with information about the school’s philosophy, opportunities, and activities that are important to HCS.

Know that your support and encouragement in fund raising is essential in order to continue to advance Hillcrest in years to come. Private schools cannot depend upon the government to provide funds for them. Private schools cannot depend upon tuition and fee increases alone. Private schools cannot rely upon debt as the solution to financial needs. That leaves fund raising and donations as the only means of providing for the school’s ongoing advancement.

Through continued stewardship and fund raising, we can realize our hopes and dreams for the future.

FUND RAISING ASSUMPTIONS:

My favorite Biblical story related to fund raising is in the book of Exodus. In chapters 35 and 36, Moses asks the Hebrew nation to donate items for the tabernacle. Note the following:

Our goal is to continue to build the school in a way that provides excellent training and instruction for both gaining eternal life, and for being successful in our life on earth. We diligently work to provide excellence in our personnel, our programming, and in our facilities. The partnership between the school, parents, and friends in these areas will result in great benefit for your children – our students. “That the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” II Timothy 3:17

I am thankful to the many who donate and volunteer in our various efforts to advance our school. We thank the Lord for each one of you.

Do not hesitate to give me a telephone call if I can be of help to you in your desire to see Hillcrest Christian School continue to improve. Visit the Fund Raising Links in the right column menu and get involved at Hillcrest.

Stephen Allen, Head of School

SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES RELATED TO FUND RAISING

Fund Raising Calendar

Special Development Events:

Ongoing throughout the year:

The Heritage Fund

We thank those who contributed to the Heritage Fund last year. You make a difference in our school and in the lives of each of our students. To be as successful as possible, Christian schools everywhere must depend upon donations of funding above and beyond tuition and fees.

The dictionary defines heritage as “property that descends to an heir, something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor, legacy, tradition, birthright”. Giving to the Heritage Fund provides a model of the joy and blessing for children to observe in their parents. This generosity passes on the baton of sacrificial giving igniting support for Christian education for years to come.

In November of 2005, Hillcrest Christian School launched the Heritage Fund which has averaged approximately $50,000 per year in undesignated gifts. The Heritage Fund is an annual fund campaign with the purpose of raising much needed support to improve school programs, enhancing your child’s experience at Hillcrest. Along with other gifting opportunities, The Heritage fund allows the HCS administration and board of directors to advance the school, minimize tuition increases, and improve our school’s financial standing. In summary, the Heritage Fund provides budget relief, and program enhancement, and is annual – occurring every year.

In past years, HCS has remodeled its building’s interior, repaired the roof of our main building, upgraded classrooms with new technology, new desks and chairs, and other room fixtures. Your assistance through the Heritage Fund, no matter the size of the gift, helps to complete current projects and allows HCS leaders to enlarge and fulfill the vision for HCS, directly improving the Christian education experience for our students.

Help us to reach 100% participation. Luke 21:1-4, is the story of the widow’s offering. In this story, Jesus saw a poor woman place two very small copper coins in the temple treasury. Addressing His disciples, Jesus taught that this poor widow had given more than all the others (the rich) because she gave all she had. This story teaches much about giving, the motivation behind it, sacrifice, and faith. It also teaches that no gift is too small! Thank you for your participation in the Heritage Fund.

Matching Gifts

HCS has received support from local corporations through their matching gift funds. Families and friends of HCS may investigate if their corporation has an employee matching gift opportunity. Over the past few years we have been blessed with very significant gifts through employer matching gift funds. Check with your employer before making your next donation to Hillcrest. You may be able to double your support for your school!

End of Year Giving

In order for Hillcrest Christian School to provide donation receipts for tax purposes for any given year, please be sure that your donations arrive at HCS before the end of that year. Mailed donation checks should be dated for that year and mail should be post marked during that year..

Consider the use of stocks for year-end giving. There can be significant tax advantages through gifts of stocks. In order to process the donation of stock you will want to give ample time for the donation to process. Contact our Head of School's office (805-497-7501, ext. 210, sallen (at) hillcrestcs.org) for an agency to assist you in the transfer of stock to Hillcrest.

Annual Fund Raising Events

Annual Dinner and Auction

Each spring we host a very successful dinner and auction. Over the years the venue and themes change, but each event has provided a successful way to raise funds for our school and provide a wonderful time of fellowship for the families and friends of Hillcrest.

Hillcrest Women's Tea

Seventy women attended our first annual Women’s Tea event. Testimonies by Sandy Koven and Cathe Jackson, as well as an inspirational message by Kristin Cummins were greatly enjoyed. The place settings were beautiful as well as the spirit among those in attendance. We praise the Lord that under Sunnie Regier’s leadership, over $4,300 was raised to benefit the HCS financial aid program for those who need assistance to be able to take advantage of the Christ-centered education of HCS.

Magazine Sales

Purchasing magazines online is possible at HCS. HCS has not opted to participate in a magazine sale with incentive prizes and contests associated with it. However, purchasing magazines through HCS is still possible so that your child’s school will benefit from the purchase. Purchasing magazines online minimizes door-to-door sales for students, does not set up unwelcome competition between both students and siblings. Often, the incentive prizes for the students greatly cut into the profit thus minimizing the positive benefits for the school overall. Effective fund raising does not focus on sales in which an outside vendor receives a sizeable portion of the cost to our parent. Direct donation appeals are more effective than a “sales” event. We provide for magazines to be purchased online for families and friends who want the magazines for their enjoyment and who wish to support HCS in this manner.

Those who desire to purchase magazines can simply go to the QSP link and order on line at any time.
Our goal is to focus on our annual fund program (Heritage Fund) and our other fundraising methods such as the annual auction and the scrip program.

Should you have any questions, please contact:
Stephen Allen
Head of School
805-497-7501 ext 210
Sallen ( at ) hillcrestcs.org

Passive Fund Raising Opportunities

There are many things that your family can do to help Hillcrest accomplish our goals. Each of us has a responsibility to be a good steward of the resources that God has uniquely given to us. It is our prayer that you will take seriously the “gift” you could give to Hillcrest by simply taking the time to participate in our Passive Fundraising programs.

These programs will not cost you any additional money! But what they will do is stretch your dollars and make even your grocery bill count for God’s Kingdom.
Now that’s an awesome concept!

	Where do you buy groceries? Many of our local grocery stores have provided ways for our school to benefit from your weekly shopping... Albertson's, Von's, Gelson's, and SmartNFinal. All have ways for your grocery dollars to bless Hillcrest. Download the WHERE DO YOU SHOP PDF for specific information about the program your grocery store participates in.
	Login at www.eScrip.com and register your loyalty cards, debit cards and credit cards. Be sure to use our group number: 5620795 Then simply go about your normal shopping and Hillcrest earns a percentage of every dollar you spend at participating stores. Download eScrip Participating Merchants
	SCRIP IS NOW AVAILABLE IN STOCK!! We have a great selection of stores. You may come in to the Finance office any time and purchase your scrip and take it with you.  For your convenience, we will also be selling in the parking lot two days per week.  You can designate ½ of the profits to support one or more teacher classroom or club/group/activity funds.  Write the teacher name on the bottom of the order form. We accept checks, MC & VISA However, checks are preferred since the school pays a 2% fee to use MC & VISA. Questions may be directed to our program Coordinator, Donna Rae Caccavo – donnarae_in@yahoo.com