16 Days to Impact: Let’s Make Every Gift Count for Oakhill

Last week was action packed; every day and night was full - full of fun, laughter, pride, and togetherness! From hosting the Kids Corner at Gladfest to enjoying an enchanted evening at Alldredge Farm AND from cheering on our drama students in “The Little Mermaid” production to welcoming about 1000+ grandparents and special friends over the course of two days, our community definitely enjoyed a FULL week! 

After such a busy week, I decided to stain my deck - I had an extra day to enjoy it with Fall Break landing on Monday! The deck is “medium sized” in my mind … a project that is a bit overwhelming - where to start? How to prepare? I needed a plan of action! On Saturday, I simply got started…I stained for about 6 hours - the spindles … the railing … the square footage! I stained Sunday - same story, different day! And, on Monday, I FINISHED my goal - I did it! 

I liken this story to The Mighty Oak Fund campaign! Our goal of $350,000 is a bit overwhelming, but with a plan … strategic movements … hard work … determination … and a can-do attitude, we WILL make it happen! My deck has been stained, and our MOF goals will be met! 

Our month of giving for the Mighty Oak Fund campaign officially kicked off on October 3rd; members of the Board of Trustees and PTO, Divisional Chairs for the Mighty Oak Fund, and our Advancement team loved working car line - handing out yummy cookies and inviting parents to participate! The QR code on your cookie took you directly to a link to give - to help us reach out fundraising goals … our strategic goals. 

Our yearly fundraising goals make up approximately 11% of our overall revenue for the fiscal year; for those of you who viewed our income pie chart at Parents’ Night, tuition makes up approximately 70%, auxiliary programs make up approximately 10%, and tenant space income makes up approximately 9% of the revenue sum. We depend on this 11% to balance the budget - to ensure all of our programs and initiatives are healthy and fulfilled.

Yearly fundraising goals are a part of a larger vision - our strategic plan. Oakhill’s strategic plan acts as a blueprint for the current year and beyond including all facets of what is needed for a healthy school - academics, personnel, climate, community, and finances. Here is a glimpse of the strategic plan with a specific callout regarding the fiscal health of the school.

Fiscal health and responsibility

1. Create a long-term financial plan.

2. Create a cash reserve/endowment fund.

3. Increase our ability to attract mission-appropriate students of diverse backgrounds through Marketing and Communication

4. Advance our resilience through strategic enrollment management and thoughtful, nimble financial practices and business models for retaining and growing mission-appropriate students and families.

5. Educate to strengthen fundraising efforts, methods, and strategies to meet goals.

This year, we have budgeted $350,000 for The Mighty Oak Fund campaign. Independent schools across the Midwest are achieving this goal with a similar size and makeup, and we know with the right approach Oakhill can meet this goal as well - can meet the high expectations we have set forth. Our Chairs, alumni chairs, divisional chairs, grandparent chairs, and faculty chairs are cheering you on - encouraging you to give a stretch gift to the campaign! Many hands make lighter work , and this has never been more true than within this campaign. Together we can achieve more.

We are looking forward to our call-a-thon; we will be calling those who have not yet given - to educate, encourage, and excite each and every family to help make our goal a reality. If you have already donated to the Mighty Oak Fund - thank you! If you have not yet given, we look forward to talking with you soon! We enjoy sharing, chatting, and educating - the more you know, the more you understand the campaign - the what, why, and how of giving.

On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees and our Advancement Team, we thank you for your support, your gift to the Mighty Oak Fund, and your belief in Oakhill - today, tomorrow, and for years to come! Your gift helps us reach our yearly goals, which helps us meet markers within the strategic plan, which helps us grow, and prosper - to remain sustainable. 

Keep giving toward our $50,000 match! Your dollar becomes two! What an opportunity … one you don’t want to miss!

16 more days to give,

Suzanne

Make a Gift to the Mighty Oak Fund!