Help Build a School
That Strengthens Its Parish
A gift to St. Cecilia does two good things at once. It gives children a beautiful education, and the school's rent helps keep the historic St. Ignatius campus in good repair. It never takes a dollar from the Sunday collection.
One gift, two blessings
St. Cecilia will be an independent school. It will not receive money from the parish collection or the archdiocese. It will depend entirely on families' tuition and the generosity of friends like you.
Your Gift to the School
Goes to St. Cecilia's own nonprofit, so the full amount supports the school.
The School's Endowment
Invested for the long term, it pays out a steady amount each year for scholarships and teachers.
St. Ignatius Parish
Receives reliable monthly rent from the school, set aside to care for the historic buildings.
Your Whole Gift Goes to the School
St. Cecilia will be its own nonprofit, separate from the parish. Because gifts go to the school directly rather than through the parish, no part of them is taken by the archdiocesan assessment that applies to parish income.
Caring for a Historic Campus
St. Cecilia plans to rent the vacant school building at 2350 N. Gaylord Street from St. Ignatius Parish. The rent will be set aside for repairs and upkeep of the campus, so these historic buildings are cared for over the next century.
Keeping the Parish Safe
The school and the parish will be completely separate legally and financially. St. Cecilia will own its own funds and carry its own responsibilities. If the school ever faced a debt or lawsuit, the parish would not be on the hook, and the reverse is true as well.
Built to Last
Each year the school will spend only a small share of its endowment, between 4% and 6.5%, and leave the rest invested to grow. That keeps yearly support steady through good and bad markets, so the school can pay its bills and its rent on time.
The St. Cecilia Heritage Fund
Our endowment will be one fund with two purposes. You can choose which one your gift supports:
1. The Scholarship Fund
What it does: Helps families who could not otherwise afford tuition, with first priority for active St. Ignatius parishioners.
How it helps the parish too: A scholarship pays a child's tuition, and tuition is what lets the school pay its rent to St. Ignatius. So every scholarship helps educate a child and also helps care for the parish campus.
2. The Music Teachers Fund
What it does: Lets us pay fair salaries and attract excellent choir directors, voice teachers, and music teachers, and keep them for years.
How it helps the liturgy: Great teachers make great choirs. This fund means our students are trained well every day, and everyone who comes to Mass at St. Ignatius hears the difference.
We will never compete with the Sunday collection
St. Cecilia will work hand in hand with St. Ignatius Parish. We will never ask parishioners to give to the school instead of the parish. The Sunday collection keeps St. Ignatius running: its ministries, its staff, and its care for people.
Instead, we ask for gifts to St. Cecilia in addition to your regular giving, once or on a recurring basis. The parish's everyday work stays fully funded, and the school builds a lasting foundation that also helps care for the campus.
In Addition, Never Instead
The Parish Comes First
Become a Founding Supporter
We are just beginning to gather our founding donors. If you would like to learn more, make a pledge, or help in another way, choose “Donation / Pledge” below and we will be in touch personally.