Ways to Give

Why We Need Your Support For nearly a century, the Catholic Secondary Schools of Greater Grand Rapids have empowered students to define their vision and pursue their goals with confidence, competence, and Christian generosity. In an environment deeply rooted in faith formation, student achievement, and appreciation of God-given talents, Catholic Central and West Catholic High School students are challenged to become fully integrated persons who lead through service.

Emphasis on tradition and mission keeps CSS true to its vision and values. The Catholic Secondary Schools are extremely committed to pursuing excellence in the areas of faith formation, student achievement, programs and curricula, and resources. The founding promise to offer educational opportunity to the children of families of all backgrounds remains the same.

What has changed is the economics of private secondary education. The cost of private education is expensive. In the early days, priests and religious sisters taught keeping tuition low. Today quality lay teachers and modern teaching equipment are required to maintain academic excellence.

Our alumni and friends have countless opportunities to give. Every gift, no matter the size, joins the gifts of other benefactors to make a significant difference at Catholic Central and West Catholic. Your gift today represents the future of this great school system.

Annual Appeal
Giving to the annual appeal is how many of our alumni and friends show their affection for CSS. Because the annual appeal supports current year tuition assistance, it’s easy to see the immediate impact your gift has. The money raised through the annual fund makes up the difference and helps to provide students with financial aid.

Tuition Assistance
There is no more direct way to help CSS continue to educate hundreds of deserving students than by making a tuition gift. Spending on financial aid is the second-largest component of our operating budget. These funds are provided, in part, by our current permanent endowment, fundraising events, donations and annual fund benefactors which provide over $1,100,000 annually in tuition assistance.

The equation of financial need is a complicated one. Every year, money is raised to bridge the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of education. These extra funds primarily provide tuition assistance to an increasing number of students unable to afford the full cost of a parochial education. Without tuition assistance, over 25% (almost 400) CSS students would be unable to attend our high schools.

Your gift toward tuition assistance helps sustain the legacy and maintain the values for those who follow in your footsteps. Whether your gift is $25 or $2,500 it is important. We would like to count on your support. By making a contribution you help bring tuition costs down to manageable levels for those who need assistance.

Kinds of Gifts: Outright Gifts
Outright gifts have an immediate impact at CSS. These gifts, given in the current calendar year (rather than pledged for the future), include:

Cash
Cash is the most frequently made, as well as the simplest, gift. If you’d rather send a check or money order, you may make it payable to the Catholic Secondary Schools of Greater Grand Rapids and mail it to:

Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools
360 Division S.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Securities
Stocks, mutual funds, and bonds—all of these assets can be offered as donations to CSS. In addition to providing the high schools with an immediate gift, a gift of securities may provide a greater tax benefit to you than a gift of cash, as you may be able to deduct the full value of the security and avoid the capital gains tax that would accrue if the assets were sold.

Property
Some donors like to make gifts of real estate and personal property in addition to or in place of cash. Real estate includes such things as homes, commercial property and land. “Personal property” broadly defines all items of value and can include jewelry, works of art, collections and much, much more.

As with securities, gifts of property can provide significant tax advantages for the donor. Because each gift is different, we would be glad to discuss your possible donation of property prior to your making the commitment so that you can be sure it’s the right fit for you and for CSS.

Help Support West Catholic High School
When you give to the Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools, you make an investment in the future. Donations made by CSS alumni and friends are changing students’ lives by providing an exceptional educational experience—one that is based on values and faith and that provides direction for the future.

Join us on our journey to academic excellence—make an investment in the future of our faith and our leaders of tomorrow. Your support ensures that generations to come will enjoy the benefits of an education at West Catholic High School. 

Mindy Whiteside

Advancement Director

Phone: (616) 233-5918

mindywhiteside@grcss.org