VANDEBILT CATHOLIC
A
high s chool
Guide to Giving
Message from our Advancement Team:
Since 1870, St. Francis, Houma Central Catholic and Vandebilt Catholic have educated many students who have become extraordinary community members. Our mission emphasizes a holistic approach to education that fosters academic excellence, is structured through friendly discipline, and is nurtured by personal attention. Today, Vandebilt Catholic counts on the support of all its partners in mission in order to fulfill its mission to graduate students who can achieve their best in life!
Whether you are an alumnus, parent, grandparent, or friend of Vandebilt Catholic, there are many opportunities to support the school’s mission. Every gift makes a difference in the daily lives of our students. Gifts to the Terrier Fund through Alumni Giving, Parent Giving, Grandparent Giving and Friend Giving allow the school to continue educating students in the traditions passed down from the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Contribute to the Society of 1870 by leaving a planned (legacy) gift. Gifts to The Brother Alfred Kolb S. C. and The Brother Ray Kuhn, S.C. Funds provide tuition assistance opportunities for young men and women to attend Vandebilt Catholic. Gifts to our endowment funds provide financial support and stability to advance the mission of our student, faculty and staff activities.
Vandebilt Catholic also offers an exceptional number of events and activities that require the gift of your time. Please volunteer and attend one of our many events throughout the year.
We are truly grateful for all who choose to support the mission of Vandebilt Catholic both financially and voluntarily. Your generosity helps to provide an outstanding education and high school experience for our students by providing a legacy of excellence for our Terrier community!
We invite you to visit our campus and see the incredible work being done by our students and faculty! Schedule a visit by contacting us at 985-580-1868.
Terriers Together!
Director of Advancement
Ways to Give
Terrier Fund (Annual Fund): Agift to Vandebilt Catholic’s annual fund provides unrestricted funds to cover operational expenses that are not fully covered by tuition income.
Endowments: Gifts to one of our many endowments allow the donor to direct monies to a particular interest that generally restricts the school to spending the annual interest earned by the endowment.
Planned Gifts: Planned or Legacy gifts are those that donors provide to the school by naming Vandebilt Catholic as a beneficiary in their estate plans. Donors who make a planned gift and inform the school in writing become members of the Society of 1870.
Sponsorships: Sponsors provide vital financial funding that help Vandebilt Catholic execute many events and activities. Sponsors are recognized in multiple ways depending on the type of event or activity.
Capital Giving: Capital gifts fund a particular facility improvement that is either outlined in the school’s strategic plan, The Terrier Blueprint, or recognized as a pending need.
Restricted versus Unrestricted Gifts: Arestricted gift is one that the donor specifies how their donation will be used. Unrestricted gifts (which the school prefers) can be used wherever the need is greatest.
Tax Savvy Contributions
As of March 14, 2023, everyone who has IRA accounts must take minimum distributions from his/her account. The distribution is taxable income in the year of the distribution. There may be a way to use some or all the distribution and make a tax savvy gift to Vandebilt Catholic High School. Consult with your financial advisor/tax professional if you are contemplating a charitable gift under the Qualified Charitable Distribution provision. (Tax laws constantly change. Please consult with your tax professional to learn how charitable giving can benefit you.)
Endowments
You may fund an endowment in several ways:
•Give an immediate gift of cash, stocks, securities, real estate, and/or personal property.
•Make a pledge and pay the donation over several years.
•Leave a bequest in your will.
•Set up an annuity or trust.
Since 2014 all Vandebilt Catholic endowments have been invested in the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. For more information you can visit their website at https://www.catholicfoundationsl.org/
Prior to the creation of the Catholic Foundation, all Vandebilt Catholic endowments were invested in Central Finance of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
Vandebilt Catholic is also proud to partner with the V Foundation of South Louisiana whose mission is to raise enough funds to supplement teacher salaries at Vandebilt Catholic. For more information you can visit their website at https://vfoundation.net/
The following lists of endowments are categorized by the purpose that they serve. If a donor is interested in a particular area of the school that is not listed in these categories, the school may establish a new category. Donors may also establish another named endowment under the category of their choosing.
Academics
The Enola Jeandron Autin Endowment honors the memory of Mrs. Autin and her support for education for many decades. Created in 2006, this endowment provides program funding for the SOAR (Resource) program and fee assistance for students’ parents who have financial needs. Tuition assistance applicants are eligible to receive this assistance.
Arts Athletics
The VCHS Art Endowment created in 2011 recognizes that all students may have an interest, but not be able to pay fees to participate in art classes. This endowment encourages students to participate in visual arts by providing financial assistance to those whomay need help with paying their annual art fees.
The Laurent/Brewer Endowment recognizes the tremendous support that the Laurent and Brewer family provided to the VCHS athletic program throughout the early 2000s. Created in 2009, this endowment provides funding to a specific sport in need of some equipment that is not included in their annual budget.
School operation
The Mr. and Mrs. Ben Landry Endowment recognizes the Landry family’s understanding of the school’s important need to provide income for the operating budget. The Landry’s created this endowment in 2008 provides funding to support the general operating expenses of the school.
The John “Jack” Becker Endowment honors the memory of long-time teacher, coach, school counselor, and donor who spent much of his life supporting Vandebilt Catholic. In addition to the many hundreds of hours spent in a Driver’s Ed car, Coach Becker spent that many hours or more as a conduit for many seniors getting into the college of their choice! Throughout his years serving at the school, he was very vigilant about supporting the existing endowments with many memorial gifts honoring the memory of those who he held dear. Created in 2022 by his family, this endowment provides funding to support the general operating expenses of the school.
The Ian Haydel Endowment created in 2010 honors the memory of Ian ’12. As a student, Ian was involved in athletics and other student organizations. His parents created this endowment in order that his memory would live on while at the same time helping all future students by providing financial support to the general operating expenses of the school.
The Mothers’ Club Endowment created in 2011 helps to fulfill the club’s financial mission to provide support that impacts ALL students. The interest from this endowment provides financial support to the general operating expenses of the school.
The Claude Bergeron Endowment honors the memory of long-time financial supporter and VCHS board president Claude Bergeron. As a CPA and community business leader, Claude and his family understood the need to support the general operating expenses of the school. This endowment was created in 2006 by the family after his passing in 2004. The family continues to support the VCHS community in the way their father did for many years.
The S Ernest/Ernestine Ellender Endowment honors the memory of Dr. Stephen Ernest Ellender, Sr. and Mrs. Ernestine Ellender. Dr. Ellender was the co-founder of Ellender Memorial Hospital and Mrs. Ernestine was a long-time teacher and charter member of the Terrebonne Parish Medical Society Auxiliary. Their son’s family created this endowment in 2009 to provide funding to support the general operating expenses of the school.
The Ted Lyons Endowment recognizes the tremendous support by the Lyons family to the school. Created in 1991, this endowment provides funding to the general operating expenses of the school.
The John and Helen Rizzo Endowment recognizes the tremendous support by the Rizzo family to the school. Created in 2020, this endowment provides funding to the general operating expenses of the school.
Spirituality
The Megan Hitt Endowment honors the memory of Megan ’10 and her love of ministry at VCHS. During her time at VCHS, Megan was deeply involved in the school’s Campus Ministry and Yearbook programs. This endowment provides funding for current campus ministers to continue the many faith activities that are encouraged at VCHS. A portion of the monies from this endowment may also be used to help graduating seniors purchase a senior yearbook if financial help is needed.
tuition assistance
(NOTE: Those wanting to be considered for tuition assistance must register for admission into Vandebilt Catholic High School and apply by completing the FACTS paperwork and meeting all published deadlines.)
The Garland P. Aycock Sr. Endowment honors the memory of long-time surgeon and VCHS supporter, Dr. Garland Aycock, Sr. Dr. Aycock was an avid philanthropist. He and his family created this endowment in 1989 to continue his legacy of philanthropy and provide tuition assistance for deserving students.
The F. E. and Louise Boudreaux Endowment honors the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Boudreaux and their long-time support of Catholic education. Created by the family in 2009, this endowment provides tuition assistance for deserving students.
The Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross Endowment honors the dedication of the Sisters to the education of students and the role they played in operating our predecessor schools for over 120 years. Created in 2005, this endowment provides tuition assistance for deserving students.
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart Endowment honors the dedication of over 60 brothers who dedicated their lives to the education of young people at St. Francis de Sales, Houma Central Catholic, and Vandebilt Catholic. This endowment commemorates the original intention of the founder, Fr. Andre Coindre to provide opportunities for educating those students who may not otherwise be able to afford a Catholic education. Created in 2005, this endowment continues that mission by providing tuition assistance for deserving students.
The VCHS Student Body Endowment combines graduating classes’ monies to fund academic initiatives for the current students. The interest each year is spent on programs that are above and beyond what the school budgets.
The Brother Alfred Kolb S.C. Endowment honors the memory of Vandebilt Catholic’s longest serving Brother. Brother Alfred served the Brothers as an educator for almost 70 years! He was a mentor to thousands of Brothers, students, teachers and school leaders. While Brother Alfred’s memory is honored in several ways at Vandebilt Catholic, this endowment is perhaps the most impactful on students. Created in 2008, this endowment continues the Brothers mission by providing tuition assistance for deserving students.
The Brother Ray Kuhn S.C. Endowment honors the memory of long-time educator and mentor, Brother Ray Kuhn. Brother Ray was a tremendous supporter of student-centered events and graced the students with his ministry of “presence”. He would spend time with anyone who needed an ear. Created in 2008, this endowment continues the Brothers mission by providing tuition assistance for deserving students.
The T. J. Cantrelle Endowment honors the memory of T.J. ’10 and his faith demonstrated through his passion for athletics. As a leader on his teams, T. J. provided a positive example to the students around him. Created by the family in 2010, this endowment provides tuition assistance for deserving students.
The Gabrielle Hebert Endowment honors the memory of Gabrielle ’10 and her zeal for school spirit. During her time at Vandebilt Catholic, she was very involved in student activities, including cheerleading. Created by the family in 2011, this endowment provides tuition assistance for deserving students.
Sponsorships
Sponsors greatly assist in covering the cost of hosting school approved events/activities and benefit by being acknowledged at the event, on our school website, registration platforms, social media and in our alumni publications.
Terrier Tailgate–Sponsorship levels from $1000 to $2500
Softball Tournament–Sponsorship levels from $500 to $2000
Golf Tournament–Sponsorship levels from $100 to $2000
Crawfish Cook Off–Sponsorship levels from $500 to $2000
Pedro Tournament–Sponsorship levels from $250 to $2000
Homecoming Extravaganza–Sponsorship levels from $100 to $1000
Alumni Socials-Sponsorship levels from $500 to $3000
Advertisement opportunities are also available for Vandebilt Catholic’s outdoor marquee signs, fencing, sporting facilities, etc.
