The Board Blog: CSB's Development Committee

In this month's Board Blog, Kath Tsakalakis (sixth & eighth-grade parent and Trustee) gives an overview of the CSB Development Committee’s goals and approach.

The Development Committee exists to cheerlead and create enthusiasm for fundraising and community involvement at Cathedral School for Boys. Our keen, hardworking team includes current and former parents, trustees, and alumni, working in close partnership with the School’s development staff.

In April this year, we reviewed CSB’s development efforts over the last decade from the perspective of all of our constituents. As a result, we are streamlining future fundraising. For example, our Parents Association will still have an inclusive and fun Fall Bash (on October 21), but with minimal fundraising. Specifically, to focus the Fall Bash on community and so that everyone can attend, we will offer ticket discounts and underwriting opportunities, but there will be no fundraising at the event itself.
 
As we simplify our fundraising year, we hope that our entire community will prioritize their voluntary support for the Cathedral School Fund this fall and the annual Gala in early 2017.
 
The Cathedral School Fund (our “Annual Fund”): This is our largest annual fundraiser and supports the entire school—from classroom enrichment, music, art, drama, library, and technology, to adjustable tuition and teacher salaries. While fees for the year have been set at $30,100, the total cost of educating each student is $37,231. Voluntary giving helps to cover the gap that exists for every boy. This month (October), we will be asking our entire community to support CSB with a tax-deductible gift. Last year, we raised over $1M in gifts and pledges ranging in size from $1 to $50,000, and we strive for 100% participation from our current families, trustees, teachers, and staff. This year, we hope to build on this success and reach 100% parent participation during the newly planned Pledge Appreciation Days that will coincide with November parent-teacher conferences.
 
Parents Association Gala & Auction: We also hope that all trustees, families, and staff will support our PA’s annual Gala (on March 4, 2017). This event raises the majority of the PA’s financial commitment to the school’s operating budget (set at $205,000) and also funds a specific project outside of the School’s budget (such as the new classroom SMART boards and hallway renovation that happened this past summer, and projects like the rooftop playground, the Hawk’s Nest Maker’s Space, and much more from previous years). Like the Fall Bash, this is a community celebration that we want everyone to be able to attend. In addition, this event is a meaningful fundraiser that supports the life of our school. 
 
The Development Committee meets every month during the school year. We are grateful for the ideas and support from our entire community that shape and sustain our school’s culture of philanthropy and volunteering.
 
2016-2017 Development Committee Members:
Wells Blaxter (fourth-grade parent / Co-Chair of The Cathedral School Fund)
Jennifer Brahm (alumni parent / former trustee)
Christina Dunning (eighth-grade parent / alumni parent / PA President)
Setareh Farsio (alumni parent / trustee)
Hill Ferguson (first, fourth, and seventh-grade parent / Co-Chair of The Cathedral School Fund)
David Forbes (Founding Headmaster / Lifetime Trustee)
David Hopkins '98 (Alumni Association President)
Burns Jones (Headmaster)
Davin McAndrews (third, fourth, and sixth-grade parent)
Chris Nooney (fourth-grade parent / alumni parent / Board Chair)
Matt Thier '00 (Trustee)
Kath Tsakalakis (Trustee / Development Committee Chair)
Development staff: Jim Schmidt, Mary Bishop, and Deb Rockwood
 
If you have any questions about the Development Committee, please contact Kath Tsakalakis.
 
 
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Cathedral School for Boys

Located in San Francisco, California, Cathedral School for Boys is an independent elementary school for boys in Kindergarten – Grade 8. Our mission is to provide an excellent education through intellectual inquiry and rigor that is centered in the Episcopal tradition and is respectful of and welcoming to people of all religious traditions and beliefs.