Guide to Giving and Getting Involved 2023

OAKS CHRISTIAN

OAKS CHRISTIAN GUIDE TO GIVING AND GETTING INVOLVED

Introduction

Oaks Christian School provides a distinctly Christian environment with a mission “to dedicate ourselves to Christ in the pursuit of academic excellence, artistic expression and athletic distinction while growing in knowledge and wisdom through God’s abundant grace.”

Giving to Oaks Christian School has, over our 24-year history, granted important support needed to fund enriching programs, build amazing facilities, and provide exceptional opportunities for students in academics, arts, athletics, leadership, and spiritual life. The advancement team is here to further the OCS mission by engaging families in becoming active members of the OCS community and by facilitating monetary giving in support of our students, faculty, and programs.

Charitable giving is an essential aspect of the partnership forged with our families, connecting all to the mission of the school through participation in the financing of enhancements to our student programs, annual improvements in our facilities, critical opportunities for faculty professional development, and financial aid for deserving students. Philanthropic gifts from our current families—generous people like you— are the center of this partnership. For some, an Oaks Christian School education is only possible thanks to the generosity of others.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the various ways to give to and through Oaks Christian School. We truly believe that God will continue to bless the ministry and impact of our school, and your generosity is a vital component of extending the Oaks Christian School legacy for future generations.

“Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” - 2 Corinthians 8:7

OAKS CHRISTIAN

Annual Giving Philosophy

The impact of annual giving at Oaks Christian School is evident throughout our campus. From the classrooms to the stages and fields, we see a legacy of giving that has elevated our students to the next level of thinkers, scholars, artists, and athletes. A tradition of philanthropy has inspired every gift, no matter the size, and the longstanding partnership that has been foundational to student success.

We ask each family to contribute annually to support Oaks Christian School. Annual gifts to the ONE Oaks Fund are used to supplement the general operating budget for the fiscal year and ensure that each student and teacher has the resources needed to enhance academic and student programs.

The OCS senior leadership team, administration, and board of trustees are committed to being good stewards of your generous contributions. Your gifts ensure excellent opportunities for every student - through academic programs, extracurricular activities, faculty development, tuition assistance, and facility improvements and maintenance.

“My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality.” - James 2:1

OAKS CHRISTIAN

Planning Your Giving

For over two decades, families have played an important role in growing and sustaining Oaks Christian through the tradition of philanthropy. We are grateful to those who give their time, talent, and treasure to advance our mission. We recognize and thank our supporters in our Annual Stewardship Report, which is published each fall, as well as host a series of events for both donors and volunteers to show our immense appreciation.

Annual Gifts to the ONE Oaks Fund

It is our hope that all members of our school community will support annual giving at a level that is appropriate for them.

We ask all families to prioritize their giving through the ONE Oaks Fund each year. Your gift to the ONE Oaks Fund is foundational to the success of our students and programs. Additionally, there are other ways to make an impact through giving.

Special Projects

Families are also invited to make gifts to capital campaigns or special projects that prioritize growth and innovation on our campus, for restoring or building a new facility or improving personalized learning through curriculum or other resources. These campaigns are of the utmost importance to Oaks Christian School.

Endowment

Continuity and legacy are especially important for our future. A growing endowment will ensure sustainability of Oaks Christian School’s finances, in perpetuity, for today’s students and future generations. As a beacon of Christcentered education, it is imperative we establish a model of sustainability that provides for current and future students. A carefully calibrated endowment is an important support for most private educational institutions.

EXCELLENCE ACADEMIC

Deciding How Much to Give

Our hope is for every current family to join the community by giving annually at a level equal to their financial ability and personal desire to see young people equipped with “minds for leadership and hearts for service.” To achieve the necessary funding to maintain our commitment to excellence in all our programs, families with higher wealth may be able to contribute more money than others. In a manner consistent with all philanthropic giving, these communitybased fundraising initiatives provide that each gift, no matter the amount, is meaningful and matches your capacity and heart to give. Gifts of $2,500 or more are considered leadership gifts (as shown below) and those donors join the Leadership Giving Circle.

Annual Giving Categories

The Oaks Christian Leadership Giving Circle members contribute cumulative gifts during the current fiscal year of $2,500 or more. Pledges are counted in the year they are funded.

• ONE Oaks Diamond Level: $50,000 and above

• ONE Oaks Platinum Level: $25,000-$49,999

• ONE Oaks Gold Level: $10,000-$24,999

• ONE Oaks Silver Level: $5,000-$9,999

• ONE Oaks Cardinal Level: $2,500-$4,999

ONE Oaks Nation- Members of the One Oaks Nation contribute to the school in many ways including financial gifts up to $2,499.

Please scan this QR code to make your online gift today.

EXPRESSION ARTISTIC

How to Give

Monthly

Add a monthly contribution to your budget for the most convenient way to support the school. Monthly giving is easy to initiate and manage.

Cash, Check, or Credit

Make one-time gifts with a check payable to “Oaks Christian School” and either drop it off at the school or mail it to the school: Attention - Advancement Office. Additionally, please visit oakschristian.org/give to conveniently make a gift online using a credit or debit card.

Gifts of Stock

Visit oakschristian.org/give to view our Stock Transfer instructions.

Planned Giving

For more information about including Oaks Christian School in your estate plan, please contact a Director of Advancement: Brigitte Cavalier at bcavalier@ oakschristian.org or Scott Rockney at srockney@oakschristian.org.

Matching Gifts

Double your gift to Oaks Christian School! Many gifts qualify for company matches. Find out if your company will match your charitable donations.

Gifts In-kind

Contact the advancement office to discuss in-kind giving in order to make a gift of tangible personal property. This is a great way to contribute to our golf tournament and dinner auction gala.

Memorial or Honorary Gifts

Pay special tribute by making a gift to Oaks Christian School in memory or in honor of a family member, friend, colleague, or group.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

- Luke 12:48

DISTINCTION ATHLETIC

Getting Involved

Giving means so much more than just dollars at Oaks Christian School! Find a passion and get connected! We are excited to forge this partnership with you. In cooperation with our faculty and staff, the spiritual life department, and parents, the advancement office is committed to helping you make long-term, meaningful relationships with the school and each other.

Special Events

Participating in our events is a great way to get to know one another and to engage in the life of the school. Events like Family Fair, Homecoming Week, New Moms Luncheon, Grandparents Day, and the annual Dinner Auction Gala bring our families together in fellowship and camaraderie. We hope you will join us at our special events every year.

Volunteer

There are many tangible ways you can use your gifts, talents, or expertise! You can help organize and execute special events, serve in our libraries, join an event committee and many more. These are vital responsibilities of our current families in the ONE Oaks community. If you have a knack for getting great items donated, please consider joining one of our dinner auction gala committees. Volunteering is a great way to bond with other parents while benefiting the school’s main fundraising events. Please take a few minutes to take our volunteer match survey on the Parent Resource Board in AXIS.

If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Teri Kupfer, at tkupfer@oakschristian.org.

“Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up.”

-Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

OAKS CHRISTIAN

Frequently Asked Questions

Oaks Christian School has a tradition of philanthropy, and your gifts help ensure that we continually strive for excellence in our school. Every aspect of the school and mission is touched by annual giving through the ONE Oaks Fund including our A3 curriculum (Academic Excellence, Artistic Expression, and Athletic Distinction); financial assistance; and faculty professional development.

Parents often come to Oaks Christian School with very different views of and experiences with philanthropy, and many have questions. It is our philosophy that all members of our school community should support annual giving at a level that is appropriate for them. To offer a better understanding of our philanthropic philosophy, we provide this list of some frequently “un-asked” questions.

Why does Oaks Christian School have an annual giving campaign and why do you ask that I support the ONE Oaks Fund?

Oaks Christian School, in a manner consistent with many Independent Schools, relies on income beyond tuition to fully support its students and programs. Annual gifts to the ONE Oaks Fund are used during the year in which they are received and are the primary source for ensuring broad support of the most direct and immediate needs of the school and our unique programs.

The solicitation of tax-deductible donations helps our families give based upon their ability and calling rather than by forcing their hand by raising tuition. As an added benefit, Oaks Christian School is a 501(c)(3) organization so gifts to Oaks Christian School are tax-deductible.

How does peer-to-peer fundraising work at Oaks Christian School?

We have a growing group of OCS parents who are passionate about seeing our school continue to advance through philanthropic giving. They are part of a committee who will reach out to other OCS parents and ask you to join them in giving to the ONE Oaks Fund. We hope that you will respond with excitement and make a gift!