Giving and Getting Involved
Support and service to an organization you believe in is not just something that we ask of Post Oak parents; it is a core lesson we teach our students beginning at the earliest level and continuing through Middle School. Our students are groomed in an environment that values helpfulness, and they are given daily opportunities to aid their peers at school and to contribute to the wider society as well. Primary and Elementary students do service work outside their classroom throughout the year, and the lesson culminates in having all Middle School students spend half a day each week at various local service organizations. These experiences shape them, and they leave us ready, willing, and able to contribute to the society through a lifetime of leadership and service.We ask Post Oak parents to engage in this same lesson. Through your gifts of time, talent, and resources, you show your meaningful support of this school and the work we do. Volunteer opportunities are many, and are listed on the Post Oak Parent Association page. We encourage you to get involved in your child’s school.
Support of Post Oak’s fundraising effort is equally important. It is a long-term financial goal of the school to fully cover basic operating expenses through tuition and fee payments and earned income. Fundraising makes up the difference between covering basic expenses and positioning Post Oak to have financial stability and flexibility that allows it to fulfill its mission and serve its students. It is our hope that every Post Oak family will contribute an amount that is meaningful for them.
Here are a few ways in which fundraising donations make a difference:
- Student financial assistance
- Teacher training and faculty development (including the sabbatical fund)
- Physical and programmatic enhancements and enrichment
- Capital expenses
This year the school will have two main fundraising programs:
- The Post Oak Fund
- Book Fair, which benefits the school library
The levels of support differ for each family, but the need for 100% participation is constant.
The Post Oak Fund
Contributions to The Post Oak Fund support every activity listed above. These annual giving gifts are tax-deductible, and payments can be made until June of the giving year. Gifts may also be eligible for matching funds from employers. Reaching 100% parent participation in The Post Oak Fund is as important as reaching our financial goal: it is vital to the school’s continued success in obtaining gifts and grants from corporations and foundations. Each family is strongly encouraged to give to its ability, and to fulfill pledged commitments. October is designated as Post Oak Fund Month.
To make an online donation to The Post Oak Fund, click here.
Biennial Gala (2009)
Every other year, Post Oak has a Gala Celebration fund raiser hosted by POPA volunteers. The next Gala will be held in spring 2009. Planning is already underway, and all parents are invited to be a part of the preparations for this fabulous event. This evening includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and a live auction. This is an adults-only event.
Book Fair
The Book Fair will take place in November and will be held at a local Barnes & Noble bookstore. At this event, books chosen by the faculty are available for purchase and donation to your child’s classroom and/or library. High-quality books appropriate to all ages and reading levels, and covering a wide range of topics, are offered for sale. This one-day event ends with a family night for parents and children. During the entire week of Book Fair, the school earns a percentage of all Post Oak community book purchases with funds benefiting the library.
Endowment
In working to ensure the school’s long-term vitality, the board has established an Endowment Fund. By design, the corpus of the endowment will remain untouched; its income will be used to support the school’s program initiatives once that corpus reaches $1 million. To seed the endowment, 20% of annual giving will go into that fund. More significant building of the endowment will result from major gifts. The school anticipates support for the endowment from individuals and foundations, either through outright grants or through planned giving. Contact Development Director Christina Kopanidis-Cantu or Head of School John Long for more information.
Sabbatical Fund
The sabbatical fund is supported through The Post Oak Fund. Traditionally, each year this fund enables one lead teacher or full-time specialist to receive a grant which may be used for travel or other educational experience during the summer months, thereby enriching her/his work with the children. Some parents elect to designate holiday or other commemorative gifts made in a faculty member’s honor to this fund.
Major Gifts Program
The board has established a Major Gifts program to fund future capital projects and other strategic school needs, both facilities and program-related, and to grow the endowment. This program is a permanent part of Post Oak’s fundraising operations.
Store Rebate Programs
The Post Oak School endeavors to enlist the support of all parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and other community friends in securing funds from a number of grocery-store rebate programs. Currently the school is enrolled in programs operated by Randalls, Kroger, Central Market, and Target. Beneficiary organizations receive a quarterly check reflecting a percentage of the store purchases made by participants. The more people who participate, the more money the school is able to raise. Program cards for Kroger and Central Market are available at the front desk and in the Development Office, as are the forms required to link your Randalls card to The Post Oak School. Please help us make the most of these programs by participating.
Other Ways of Giving
You can also give to the school through planned giving vehicles, stock, insurance policies, and by inclusion in your will. If you are interested in this method of ensuring your continued support, please contact the Development Office at 713-661-6688 x124.