The Annual Fund is vital to Saint Mary’s mission to educate women to make a difference in the world. Income from tuition covers 80% of the College’s annual operating expenses. Additional revenue is provided by earnings from the college’s general endowment fund, summer programs and miscellaneous rentals.

The Annual Fund provides the College with the additional resources needed to meet the most important financial need of the College—financial aid and scholarships for its students.

A strong Annual Fund strengthens Saint Mary’s College:

  • Gifts to The Annual Fund make an immediate impact by supporting the greatest need of the College.
  • With generous Annual Fund support the College provides financial aid and scholarships that help to attract and retain the most academically talented young women form around the world.
  • Gifts to The Annual Fund demonstrate your belief in the power of a women’s education that makes Saint Mary’s number one in ways that extend far beyond national ratings.

 The Annual Fund Year is a yearly campaign that runs concurrently with the fiscal year of the College, June 1–May 31 and invites alumnae, parents and friends to support Saint Mary's students in their pursuit of a premier education.

Why Support The Annual Fund?

  • You believe in the education Saint Mary’s has offered for 163 years and you expect to see it continue for your daughter, your granddaughter, and for future generations. Your support makes that possible.
  • You expect Saint Mary’s to innovate, to lead, to excel and to be a shining example of the value of a women’s, Catholic, liberal arts education. Your support makes that possible.
  • You expect Saint Mary’s to be the best and to be recognized as the best. Your support makes that happen.
Where Do Annual Fund Monies Go?
The Annual Fund in focused on financial aid and scholarships for students. In 2005-2006, nine out of ten Saint Mary’s students received some form of financial assistance; over $26 million in financial aid and in the form of scholarships, grants, loan, and work opportunities. Of these funds more than $11 million were from Saint Mary’s College and were offered in the form of scholarships and grant assistance.

The Annual Fund contributed close to 21% of the money needed for financial aid and scholarship packages last year.

What if I Can Not Donate a Large Amount to Saint Mary’s?

Every gift of every size matters at Saint Mary’s. The cumulative effect of many small gifts makes a significant impact over time. The percentage of alumnae or alumni giving is one of the factors used to compare peer institutions. That percentage of participation is seen as an indicator of alumnae satisfaction with their alma mater. Increasing our alumnae giving participation will increase Saint Mary's standing in publications like U.S. News & World Report, which many prospective students use to determine where they will attend college. Corporations and foundations also use alumnae participation when awarding grants.

Think About This...



The Quarters Campaign
educates current students
about giving by collecting
quarters throughout the year

The average cost for one three credit course at Saint Mary’s is $1,421.

• If 100 alumnae, parents, and friends gave $15 to The Annual Fund this year this would pay for one three credit course for a student needing financial aid and scholarships.

• If 100 alumnae, parents, and friends gave $50, this would pay for three courses for one student.

• If 100 alumnae, parents, and friends gave $100, this would pay for tuition for one semester for a student.

All gifts make a big difference!

Over the past ten years, the Annual Fund has experienced continuing growth, this past year the Annual Fund raised close to $2.29 million.

This year our goal is $2.3 million—we need your gift, small or large, to reach this goal.
You can make a difference one gift at a time.

Annual Fund Growth Chart