Making a tax deductible donation to the Saint Thomas Education Foundation supports a quality Catholic education at Saint Thomas School. Any donation to the Foundation goes directly to the school. You can give in many ways:
- Cash or check donations
- Online donations via Parish Soft
- Join the 1925 Giving Society
- Tuition Angel
- Automatic Payroll Deductions (Double your gift through your employer’s matching gift program)
- Legacy Giving
- Effortless Giving
1925 Giving Society
Celebrating a Century Centered in Christ
The 1925 Giving Society was established to honor our legacy while ensuring the future of Catholic education. This special society recognizes donors who contribute $1,925 or more annually in support of our students and school.
The greatest reward of joining the 1925 Giving Society is the knowledge that your generosity helps preserve our rich, century-long tradition while empowering the next generation with a vibrant, Christ-centered education for students of all abilities for years to come.
Your gift provides critical support for our students, our school, and the continued vitality of Catholic life in our community. Contributions to the 1925 Giving Society help fund tuition assistance and essential school programs.
Membership is renewed each year, and donors are warmly welcomed to recognition events and honored in both digital and printed donor listings as a token of our deep gratitude.
Tuition Angel Fund
At the heart of our mission is the Tuition Angel Fund, a cornerstone program that offers full and partial scholarships to qualifying students admitted to Saint Thomas. Each year, approximately 20% of our student body is blessed by the support of this fund. The generosity of our school families, parishioners, and the greater Grand Rapids community is a powerful testament to God’s love and a reflection of our shared commitment to making
Christ-centered education accessible to all. If you feel called to share your gifts, whether financial or through your time and talents, we invite you to learn more about supporting the Tuition Angel Fund. Please contact the foundation and explore how you can make a meaningful difference.
Family Scholarships: A Legacy of Opportunity
Family Scholarships are a powerful way for individuals and families to ensure that no student is ever turned away from Saint Thomas due to financial constraints. These endowed scholarships reflect a shared commitment to making Catholic education accessible to all. You may direct your donation to one or more of the Foundation’s established scholarships, which are generously funded by families, friends, alumni, and supporters like you.
If you’re interested in creating a lasting legacy, we invite you to consider establishing a named scholarship. The process is simple — just contact us to get started. While a minimum gift of $5,000 is suggested to begin the fund, it becomes fully endowed when it reaches $25,000. This can be achieved through a one-time gift, ongoing contributions, or even through a planned gift in your will or estate. All contributions to endowed scholarships are permanently invested. The principal remains untouched, ensuring that only the earnings are used to provide ongoing support for Saint Thomas School and its students — today and for generations to come.
Existing scholarships
Father James Chelich Scholarship
Ed Carr Scholarship
Jeanine Serba Scholarship
Rosemary C. Cook Scholarship
Ralph J. Haas Family Scholarship
Rosalie and Joseph Kohane Scholarship
Legacy Gifts: A Lasting Impact
Supporters of Catholic education have the unique opportunity to extend their generosity beyond their lifetime through thoughtful estate planning. Legacy gifts can include appreciated stocks, real estate, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s, or tangible personal property like antiques, artwork, coins, and jewelry. In addition to offering potential tax benefits, a legacy gift ensures that Saint Thomas School can continue its mission of providing affordable, dynamic, Christ-centered education for generations to come. By including the Education Foundation in your estate plans, you create a lasting legacy of faith, learning, and opportunity. To learn more about planned giving options, please contact us — we’d be honored to help you explore a gift that reflects your values and commitment.
Parishioners Dennis and Sue Haas Williams have provided generous donations to the Saint Thomas Education Foundation throughout their lives and plan on dedicating part of their estate to supporting Saint Thomas and it’s students for years to come. Read their story of helping to create a lasting impact here.
Everyday Giving, Extraordinary Impact
There are simple yet powerful ways you can support the Saint Thomas Education Foundation –often without spending anything extra. Through matching gift programs, employer giving, and other everyday actions, you can help raise valuable funds that benefit school activities, student programming, and community events.
Click on the folders below to explore easy ways to make a meaningful difference. Every small effort adds up to big support for our students and school!
Ask your employer if they have a matching gift program! This will allow your contribution to any of the Education Foundation fundraising efforts to have a greater reach. If you need help filling out any matching gift paper work in order for your request to be processed, please contact betsyedgerton@stthomasgr.org.
You can ensure a Saint Thomas Catholic education for generations through strategic estate planning. Appreciated stocks, real estate, life insurance policies, 401K funds, or tangible personal property.