Why Give?
FOR THE STUDENTS
Catholic education is a transformative education, one that helps students grow in mind, heart and spirit. The lasting gift of a Catholic education provides a strong foundation for the development of a lifetime devotion to service and learning and is truly one of the greatest legacies we can offer to our students. They are the future and the best investment you can make!
FALCON PRIDE
While you were only a student for a short time, you are a Falcon for life. We have a large network of alumni spreading across many states and countries. Wherever you are, you can make West Catholic’s presence felt! Times have changed but some things will remain the same and that is the pride of the WC community in our school and our students.
You all were fortunate to benefit from the quality learning experience that West Catholic offered. Our goal is to provide a Catholic education for all who wish to receive one, regardless of their financial situation. You can be the difference-maker for a student and provide them with a learning experience that will last a lifetime.
Ways to Give
West Catholic’s Online Community is the place to register for events, purchase tickets and/or make a gift online. Click the register button on the right to sign up and get benefits that include access to your giving history, existing payment pledges and auto-completion of forms.
Online
Phone
To make a gift with a credit card over the phone, you can call our Development office at (616) 233-5983.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.
You can make a gift of cash or write a check to West Catholic High School and mail it to the school. Please include a note telling us how to direct your gift.
Mail to:
West Catholic High School
Attn: Development
1801 Bristol Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Securities
You can make a gift of stocks, mutual fund shares or other appreciated assets to West Catholic. This is a tax-efficient way to donate. To begin the process of donating securities, please call the Development Department at (616) 233-5983.
Planned Giving
A legacy gift, or a gift through your estate, such as a provision for West Catholic in your will or designating West Catholic as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, may offer substantial benefits for you and your loved ones. A legacy gift to West Catholic may:
- Provide attractive tax benefits.
- Create a meaningful legacy by enriching the education of countless young people.
- Create lifetime income.
West Catholic offers many creative ways to structure a gift to West Catholic through bequests, retirement plans, gift annuities, charitable trusts and other charitable gift planning vehicles, allowing you to advance the mission of West Catholic and care for your loved ones. Our team would be honored to work with you to help create a plan that fulfills your personal desires and objectives.
By including West Catholic in your will or estate plans, you can help sustain our legacy for generations to come. For more information on Planned Giving, call the Development Department at (616) 233-5983 or visit the Planned Giving site.
Thank you for considering a planned gift to the West Catholic High School.
Employer Matched Funds
You can maximize your charitable donation to West Catholic through a special program many companies offer—matching gifts. Through matching gift programs, companies will match an employee’s charitable gift, often dollar for dollar. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, contact your company’s HR department.
Memorial Gift
Any gift can be made in honor of a special person, special event or in memory of a decedent. Memorial gifts can be made at any time for any amount. When you donate online, there is a section titled “Tribute Information.” By mail, just include a note or use the memo section on your check.
You can also establish an endowed or non-endowed scholarship to honor someone. Please contact Director of Development Jill VanderEnde at (616) 233-5983.
Where to Give
There are a number of ways to help support West Catholic and its students. Whether your heart is into tuition assistance, planned giving options or supporting our various fundraisers, there are great options for you to help our school to thrive into the future. Donate now into the area you would like to support!
Tuition Assistance
Ongoing Annual Fund
Your gift to the Falcon Annual Fund for tuition assistance makes a big impact! The West Catholic Falcon Fund (otherwise known as the Annual Fund), provides the critical dollars for financial aid to assist approximately 50% of our families. Over the past year, West Catholic has awarded over $1.2 million in tuition assistance. Without the generosity of our amazing benefactors, we would fall short of our mission to “Open Wide the Doors to Christ.” The students and parents at West Catholic High School appreciate your consideration of this worthy cause.
All A’s Walk
Our 2022 All A’s Walk took place Thursday, October 4. This important annual fundraiser raises money to aid the hundreds of students every year who benefit from tuition assistance in addition to helping reduce overall tuition costs for all students. Each West Catholic student has a personal goal of $75 with an overall student-body goal of $60,000. We invite both individuals and businesses to participate.
2023 date TBA
Falcon Awards Night
Our 2022 Falcon Awards Night was held on October 19, at the Kindel Room in the Goei Center. That evening, we will be honoring the following members of our Falcon Community:
St. John Paul II Award – Fr. Dennis Morrow
Alumni Excellence Award – Rita Totoraitis
Falcon by Choice Award – Bernard Geerling
Lifetime Achievement Award – John Thompson
2023 date TBA
Celebrate West! Auction
Friday, April 14, 2023
Join us for our annual Celebrate West! Auction. Enjoy the auction, raffles, catering by Billy K., and much more! For tickets and sponsorship information, please click HERE.
Planned Giving
Generosity comes in many forms, and it’s often the best way for you to support important causes that matter the most to you in your life. When you give to the Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education West Catholic, you help us make a difference.
Start here by learning the different gift options available to you. We will work with you to find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family and support the FCSE.
Additional Ways to Give
Giving to West Catholic through tuition assistance, scholarships, and planned giving are all great ways to help support both families and our school; however, there are also large and small fundraisers that help to support our athletic and extra-curricular programs. For more information about our major athletic / extra-curricular fundraisers read the information about additional ways to give.
Contact
Jill VanderEnde
Development Director
(616) 233-5983
[email protected]
Taylor Tuttle
Development Database Manager
(616) 233-5918
[email protected]
Megan Eversman
Development Assistant
(616)233-5969
[email protected]
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