Thank you for supporting Eaglet Athletics!
Thank you for all that you do to support the life-changing education of students at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s!
Acknowledging the pay-to-play fee, we still receive questions about how parents, alumni, and friends can support their student’s athletic program by making a charitable gift. This giving portal provides that opportunity.
First, it is very important to remember that the Moms & Dads Club Fundraising requirement is the highest fundraising priority for all St. Mary’s families. Selling or purchasing those tickets is essential to the school. Please keep that in mind as you consider whether you would also like to make a gift in support of an athletic program.
If you would like to support your son or daughter’s sport, the link below provides an opportunity to make a charitable gift designated in support of that athletic program. Gifts designated to a particular sport will be used to support that program and its student-athletes across all applicable levels—freshman, junior varsity, and varsity.
Coaches play an important role in identifying program needs and priorities and may assist in encouraging philanthropic support. All gifts, however, are received and administered by St. Mary’s. Athletic Administration, in conjunction with the school, retains responsibility for approving expenditures consistent with donor intent, program needs, and institutional priorities.
The giving links are below, along with some Questions and Answers. There are also other giving opportunities available if you would prefer to make a more general gift in support of St. Mary’s.
Most importantly, thank you for all of your support of the Prep. Together, we make “God. Family. St. Mary’s.” a reality for our Eaglets.
Sincerely,
Chris Czarnik & Jermaine Gonzales
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is my gift tax deductible?
A: Orchard Lake Schools, including St. Mary’s Preparatory, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. You will receive no goods or services in exchange for your gift, and your contribution is deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. As always, please consult your tax advisor regarding your individual circumstances. The Development Department will provide a gift receipt for your tax records.
Q: Can I direct my gift to a specific level, meaning freshman, junior varsity, or varsity?
A: No. Gifts are designated to the overall athletic program rather than to an individual team or level. The varsity head coach is responsible for identifying needs across the program, including freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams where applicable. Expenditures are reviewed and approved through Athletic Administration and the school to ensure that gifts are used appropriately and for the benefit of the program as a whole.
Q: What will my gift be used for?
A: Annual school budgets provide for the core operating needs of our athletic programs. Philanthropic support allows programs to address additional priorities and opportunities that enhance the student-athlete experience. Coaches may identify needs such as equipment, uniforms, travel, training, technology, or other program enhancements. Athletic Administration and the school determine expenditures based upon those identified needs, available funds, donor intent, and the broader priorities of St. Mary’s athletics.
Q: What about the annual fundraiser the team holds?
A: A direct charitable gift provides the greatest financial benefit to our athletic programs because the full amount of the contribution supports the designated program. Teams may still hold one gathering that includes a fundraising component, but we encourage those events to focus increasingly on team development, community building, and shared experiences.
Traditional fundraising events can carry significant expenses. A $100 event purchase, for example, may ultimately provide only a portion of that amount to the program, while donated auction items can sometimes cost the donor more than the amount ultimately realized by the school. A direct philanthropic gift allows the greatest possible portion of a donor’s generosity to benefit our student-athletes.
Q: Who decides how donated funds are spent?
A: Coaches are closest to their programs and therefore play an important role in identifying needs and recommending priorities. Donated funds, however, are not discretionary accounts controlled by individual coaches. Gifts are received and administered by St. Mary’s, with expenditures reviewed and approved through Athletic Administration and the school. This allows us to honor donor intent while ensuring that charitable gifts are used appropriately and consistently with program needs and institutional priorities.
Q: Can I send in a check or cash instead?
A: Yes. Gifts to any of our athletic programs may be made by cash or check. Donations can be dropped off to Annette Knight in the St. Mary’s Athletic Complex (Building #6) in a sealed envelope with clear instructions identifying the program you wish to support—for example, “Gift to the Soccer Program.”
Checks may also be mailed to:
Development Department
Orchard Lake Schools
3535 Commerce Road
Orchard Lake, MI 48324
For questions or more information, please contact Lisa Gray at (248) 392-9974 or lgray@orchardlakeschools.com.