St. Francis School

The St Francis Education & Athletic Center Capital Campaign

We have kicked off an exciting plan for the development of our spiritual, academic, and athletic programs here at St. Francis entitled the EDUCATION & ATHLETIC CENTER CAMPAIGN. It's apparent to us all that we need to construct a Gymnasium, Library, Media Center, and add classrooms to our school to meet the needs of growth and service projections.

Some Campaign Information:

• The Campaign has been broken up in to three major components - Multi-Purpose Gymnasium; Library and Media Center; School additions which include Preschool, Art, and Science and Music classrooms. The plan will also call for some landscape changes - new pathways and changes in parking.
• We are working with Soderstrom Architects of Portland and have hired a professional fundraiser to guide us through raising funds from major foundations, parishioners, our school families and friends outside the school.
• This Campaign will complete the physical, academic, and spiritual education for our students; Provide more facilities for high school and young adult recreation; Provide exercise space for senior citizens; Provide outreach to the community by offering space for ESL classes; Enable the school to return library and art spaces to the parish for other program needs.

Current Status

We have received well over $1,100,000 in pledges and are working with foundations and other friends outside the parish to raise additional pledge money. Thank you to all donors and volunteers to date, our gratitude is immeasurable!

The St. Francis Plan

Some parishioners have been asking what is hoped for in pledges from parishioners and school parents. We have approximately 500 active supporting households. If each family or household gave an average of $6,000 over three years, we will meet our goal. That amounts to $2,000 per year, or $500 per quarter, or $167 per month. Contact Rosary at the parish office, 503-625-6185 or Rosary@stfrancissherwood.org for pledge information and how you can help!

How About You?

Some will sacrifice $10 or $20 a month. Others of you who can, will be able to answer those prayers and pledge perhaps $5000, $10,000 or more based on your own prayerful discernment, ability and desire. All pledges are welcome and significant from you and extended family and friends.

Stock Gifts - Helpful Tips

Did you know you could make a gift of appreciated stock to the Capital Campaign? There are significant tax advantages to making such gifts: For securities held 1 year or more, you can deduct the current market value the year you make your gift and you avoid paying capital gains. Consult your tax advisor for more information.

• All Gifts should be processed through Archdiocesan Brokerage Accounts already established whenever possible. We ask that you notify Rosary Contreras at St. Francis Church (503-625-6187) or email her at rosary@stfrancissherwood.org of your intention to transfer shares and to gather more information.

St. Francis School Facts

• St. Francis opened its doors in 2004 with 128 students and in just 4 years, 170 students are currently attending St. Francis School with enrollment projected at over 180 students for next year. Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades full.
• St. Francis students come from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. A total of 20% of students are African American, Asian and Latino.
• We are a regional school that serves students of all faiths from Tigard, Tualatin, and Newberg in addition to Sherwood.
• St. Francis has the successful experience of raising $1.9 million that established the School. We were able to completely pay for the initial construction within 3 years of opening the school. We have a track record of operating balanced budgets and managing our resources efficiently.
• Students work together and sponsor many community outreach programs. Some of these projects include: collecting funds for the Uganda AIDS Project; creating cards for soldiers in Iraq, the assisted living facility and the homebound each holiday; a Christmas Toy Drive dedicated to the families of troops serving in Iraq; canned Food Drives throughout the year for various charities; and, collecting blankets for the homeless.
• The School raises over $100,000 each year through its Auction. Funds from the Auction have been used to purchase classrooms computers and math texts; provide field trips for students; pay for the Spanish program.
• The St. Francis Annual Golf Tournament generates funds for tuition assistance for families that cannot afford a Catholic education. 15% of St. Francis students receive tuition assistance. Portions of this program are also set aside for a family that encounters an unexpected financial hardship.
• St. Francis School is registered with the State of Oregon and is in the accreditation process by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and the Western Catholic Education Association.
• Some of the benefits to our students that will result from this expansion include more hands-on science experiments as well as more information resources to teachers and students to enhance instruction and lesson planning. New Art, Library and Music facilities will enable us to vacate the multi-purpose space of St. Francis Parish that was not designed for school use. This much needed space can then become available to meet the growing number of community service and parish ministry demands.
• We project that, potentially, all St. Francis parish and school families will benefit from the Education and Athletic Center Project. This includes over 4,700 people who will have access to the gymnasium for exercise classes, meetings, youth and young adult social activities and drama productions.