Charitable group presents grant to St. Thomas of Villanova
The mission of FRIENDS of St. Thomas of Villanova School, a 501(c) (3) foundation, is to raise funds to support the Catholic values and quality education offered by St. Thomas of Villanova School.
Monetary grants made to the school are used to fill priorities established by school administrators. The group seeks to create ongoing financial support and legacy funding by inspiring alumni, parishioners, friends and local businesses.
St. Thomas of Villanova School is a leader in providing quality education and early life experiences for so many within the Palatine and surrounding communities.
FOSTOVS, which was started in 2012 by a grandparent of a student who enlisted friends and parents to volunteer, has granted to the school $465,000 over the years. These funds are used for "areas of greatest need" and tuition assistance for families who want to attend the school.
Funds have been used to purchase and upgrade technology, including iPads, Chromebooks, computers, 3-D printer and white boards, the science lab, library services, curriculum and classroom improvements.
FOSTOVS also funded raised garden beds for the school's Nature Ninjas Environmental Club to engage in service projects by providing fresh vegetables to the parish and local food pantries. The school's students and Performing Arts Program also benefited from a new stage, sound system and backdrop. Most recently, funds have been used to ensure the safe opening of the school, with $66,000 approved for 2020.
Supporting the school also means supporting marketing and admissions incentives, as enrollment is always key to a private school's vitality. FOSTOVS funded a $25,000 marketing grant, which provided a multitude of promotional aides to draw new families to the school and keep them there.
The marketing campaign included a new professionally designed website, newspaper advertisements, updated tour folders and materials, and themed open houses that included food and top-notch entertainment.
FOSTOVS also helped market and drive donations to the "Invest in Kids Act" Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides financial support for students to attend private schools. Despite the pandemic, the school enrollment is up 15% this year.
Principal Mary Brinkman said, "Our school families, staff, and young scholars benefit from these grants academically, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Through the example FOSTOVS sets, our students can see the importance of generosity and the positive effects from volunteering."
St. Thomas of Villanova School, 1141 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine, serves students in preschool through eighth grade, with before and after school care. For information or to schedule a tour, call (847) 358-2110 or visit stvschool.org.
For information about FOSTOVS, visit fostovs.org.
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