Making a tax deductible donation to the Saint Thomas Educational 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
- Leave a legacy with an individual or family scholarship
- Friendship Fund honoring the memory of Dan and Joan Mead
- Automatic Payroll Deductions (Double your gift through your employer’s matching gift program)
- Estate Planning
- Effortless Giving
1925 Giving Society
Celebrating a Century Centered in Christ
The 1925 Giving Society honors our school’s legacy while investing in its future. Members of this special society make an annual gift of $1,925 or more, directly supporting our students, our school, and strengthening Catholic education for generations to come.
By joining the 1925 Giving Society, you play a meaningful role in providing tuition assistance, sustaining essential school programs, and nurturing a vibrant, Christ-centered learning environment for students of all abilities. Your generosity helps ensure that our century-long tradition of faith, excellence, and community continues to thrive.
Membership is renewed annually and includes recognition in digital and printed donor listings, as well as invitations to special appreciation events—our way of saying thank you for making a lasting impact. Click here to start your membership into our 1925 Society. When donating, please write in the notes “1925 Society.”
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 ensure that no student is turned away from Saint Thomas due to financial circumstances. These endowed scholarships reflect a shared commitment to making a Christ-centered, Catholic education accessible to all students. Donors may direct their gift to one or more of the Foundation’s established scholarships, generously supported by families, alumni, and friends of Saint Thomas.
For those wishing to create a lasting legacy, establishing a named scholarship is a meaningful and impactful option. With a suggested initial gift of $5,000, a scholarship becomes fully endowed at $25,000 through one-time gifts, ongoing contributions, or planned giving. Endowed funds are permanently invested, allowing the earnings to provide tuition assistance and student support for generations to come.
Existing scholarships
Mr. Ed Carr
Father Jim Chelich
Jeanine Serba
Rosemary C. Cook
Ralph J. Haas Family
Rosalie and Joseph Kohane
Robert and Ardelle VanBragt
The Friendship Fund – honoring Dan and Joan Mead
The Friendship Fund honors the enduring legacy of Dan and Joan Mead, beloved members of the Saint Thomas community whose lives reflected generosity, creativity, and a deep commitment to Catholic education. Dan played a vital role in founding the Education Foundation and served faithfully for many years as treasurer, while Joan shared her gifts as a teacher, artist, and leader who brought joy and purpose to parish and school life.
Inspired by Joan’s lifelong belief in the power of kindness, the Friendship Fund support students, enriches school programs, and strengthens the faith life of our community. A gift to this fund continues the spirit of friendship and generosity exemplified by Dan and Joan, making a lasting impact for today’s students and generations to come. We invite you to honor their legacy by making a gift to the Friendship Fund. Please write Friendship Fund in the donation notes.
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 Educational 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 Educational 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.