Donor Contributions

The entire DSHA community — parents, friends, foundations, alumnae, businesses, and even our students — were generous in showing support through financial gifts to DSHA during the 2020–2021 fiscal and academic year, contributing $4,276,911 to support current operations and scholarships.

The DSHA endowment provides enduring and permanent support to students of today, tomorrow, and of the future, ensuring they will receive the premier Catholic, college-preparatory education for young women in Milwaukee. The endowment supports scholarships for eager students, as well as faculty professional development and competitive compensation. This year, we had a very special anonymous gift of $2 million to specifically support our Beacon Scholarship program. The Beacon Scholarship is given annually to high-achieving students of color who reside in Milwaukee. This scholarship fully funds a student’s education. The recipients, in return, serve as “beacons” in their communities — model students and citizens who are on a path to outstanding success in higher education and their professional careers.

In a year that looked different from any the school has seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the generous donors contributing to the DSHA Annual Fund raised the largest amount of dollars in school history for this important fund that covers the gap between the cost of tuition and the full cost of a DSHA education. The annual fund supports the full Catholic, all-girls high school experience — from scholarships that allow outstanding young women the opportunity to be a part of the DSHA community, to the academics, faith formation, co-curriculars, and student support they receive. Contributions to the annual fund are vital to form young women in faith, heart, and intellect. Due to the uncertainties surrounding the year of mostly-hybrid learning, we are especially grateful for our donors who entrusted their dollars to DSHA in a record-breaking fashion.

Scholarships allow young women to attend DSHA regardless of their financial situation, allowing DSHA to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus for all students and the families that support them. Because of scholarships, exceptional students have the opportunity to earn an equally exceptional education in the Catholic, all-girls environment. Almost 40 percent of the student body relies on need-based scholarships to receive a DSHA education; additional scholarship awards are given to students for demonstrating strong academic, leadership, and service pursuits, or for exhibiting outstanding character. Scholarships not only benefit individuals, but all students. They create a stronger learning environment at DSHA, make the school more representative of its surrounding diverse community, help girls embrace and respect differences in background and perspective, as well as widen students’ outlook on their city, community, and world.

Occasionally, donors wish to apply their gift to a specific area of the overall DSHA experience, supporting items such as a specific department, fine arts, athletics, or co-curriculars. These gifts support DSHA in developing the whole person in its students.

The DSHA Auction — Together Plaid, is one of the school’s time-honored annual traditions, and the largest fundraising event of the year. This year’s event took place outside in May, and was the first in-person event of 2021 for our DSHA community due to COVID-19. Funds raised during the live and silent auctions support the school’s general operating budget. A favorite portion of the evening occurs during Stop-The-Auction, where attendees give in support of Dashers who would not have the means to attend DSHA without the help of generous donations; this part of the night specifically supports need-based scholarships. By raising a paddle, guests gave more than $148,706 for scholarships alone.

Dash-a-Thon is an annual school-wide 7 mile walk/run that provides students with fresh air, social time as a community, and a chance to dress in theme. Most importantly, the event gives students an opportunity to financially give to DSHA. Since its start 38 years ago, Dash-a-Thon has raised millions for DSHA, supporting its mission and the experiences it gives to young women in Milwaukee. This year’s event took place virtually — students raised funds, but walked in small groups or on their own dressed in Disney theme. Alumnae were invited to participate as well.

Parents and friends of DSHA have a PAR-TEE at the PAA Dasher Golf Outing and Dinner, during which all monies raised go directly to the DSHA Athletic Department. The Parent Athletic Association’s only fundraiser, the outing helps provide the best coaches, trainers, and equipment to DSHA student athletes.

*Special events contributions are net total.