Fund Raising at Hillcrest


Fund raising at Hillcrest Christian School makes a significant difference between what the tuition and fees can provide and what actually is needed for a high quality educational experience. Approximately 86% of the expenses of a HCS education come from tuition and fees. Therefore, in order to provide the educational program at Hillcrest Christian School, we must provide funds through efforts aside from tuition and fees.

FUND RAISING LINKS:

FUND RAISING GOALS:

It is our hope that through fund raising efforts, the following goals can be realized:

  • HCS education can become even more excellent each year.
  • HCS tuition and fee increases can be at a consistent level that is predictable, allowing parents to budget for tuition and fee increases.

Please keep referring to these web site pages for more information regarding fund raising. They are filled with information about the school’s philosophy, opportunities, and activities that are important to HCS.

Know that your support and encouragement in fund raising is essential in order to continue to advance Hillcrest in years to come. Private schools cannot depend upon the government to provide funds for them. Private schools cannot depend upon tuition and fee increases alone. Private schools cannot rely upon debt as the solution to financial needs. That leaves fund raising and donations as the only means of providing for the school’s ongoing advancement.

The remodel of our current facilities in the summer of 2004 has greatly added to our educational environment. Through continued stewardship and fund raising, we can realize our hopes and dreams for the future.

  • Improvements in our staff salaries and benefits, and educational support
  • Improvements in curriculum and programs
  • Improvements through the development of an approved master site plan by the city of Thousand Oaks. Hopefully this plan would include:
    • A gymnasium
    • More classrooms
    • Improved parking availability

FUND RAISING ASSUMPTIONS:

  • We recognize that all of our resources are from God.
  • God works through His people, so His people must be informed and sought after for support.
  • I am thankful to the many who led HCS through donations and volunteerism in the past. A strong foundation has been laid for the further growth of HCS.
  • Our purpose in fund raising is for the good of students and for the glory of God.

My favorite Biblical story related to fund raising is in the book of Exodus. In chapters 35 and 36, Moses asks the Hebrew nation to donate items for the tabernacle. Note the following:

  • The leader led out of obedience to God.
  • The leader let the people know the need.
  • People gave out of the context of a willing heart.
  • Some people gave of their talents.
  • Moses eventually had to restrain the people from giving further, as the need was met.

Our goal is to continue to build the school in a way that provides excellent training and instruction for both gaining eternal life, and for being successful in our life on earth. We diligently work to provide excellence in our personnel, our programming, and in our facilities. The partnership between the school, parents, and friends in these areas will result in great benefit for your children – our students. “That the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” II Timothy 3:17

I am thankful to the many who donate and volunteer in our various efforts to advance our school. We thank the Lord for each one of you.

Do not hesitate to give me a telephone call if I can be of help to you in your desire to see Hillcrest Christian School continue to improve. Visit the Fund Raising Links in the right column menu and get involved at Hillcrest.

Stephen Allen, Head of School

SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES RELATED TO FUND RAISING

  • In God's Word He provides examples of sharing the needs of those who minister to others, and receiving provision from others.
    • Exodus 25:2; 35:4-5, Numbers 18:21-24, Deuteronomy 14:27, I Kings 17:1-16, Nehemiah 1:2-3; 2:1-8, Numbers 18:21-24, Matthew 8:1-3, 10:5-15, Luke 8:1-3; 10:1-8, John 12:3-8, Acts 16, Acts 18:3-5, Romans 15:20-24, II Corinthians 1:15-16, II Corinthians 8:13-15; 9, Galatians 6:6, Philippians 4:10-20, Philemon 4-8, III John 5-8
  • God's pleasure comes in our fear and trust in Him. We must look to the Lord for the provision of our needs.
    • Psalm 147:10-11, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:17-19, I Timothy 6:17
  • Obedience in giving provides blessings to the giver.
    • Malachi 3:8-10, Luke 10:4-7, Acts 10:2-4, II Corinthians 9:6-7, Philippians 4:14-17
  • Obedience in giving is judged according to ability, not equality.
    • Deuteronomy 16:17, Luke 21:1-4
  • Christians need to give, as part of the Christian experience, based upon His example of giving.
    • II Corinthians 8:12-13, II Corinthians 9:15
  • As stewards of God's resources, it is required that there be integrity in the use of funds He provides.
    • Exodus 35:5-7, Nehemiah 13:13, Luke 16:10-12, Acts 20:33-35, II Corinthians 8:20-21, II Corinthians 12:13, I Thessalonians 2:9, II Thessalonians 3:7-9, I Timothy 5:17-18
  • Donations should come from those with a willing heart.
    • Exodus 25:2; 35:4-5, 29

Special Development Events:

  • Annual Fund Drive, called the Heritage Fund – An annual fund drive is an appeal for non-designated donations. Annual fund donations give the administration latitude to determine how to best use the funds for the school’s needs.
  • Calendar Year-End Donations – A calendar year-end donation appeal gives school families and friends an opportunity to take advantage of donations for the purpose of blessing the school as well as for tax purposes.
  • Annual Auction – March 20, 2010. This auction will be hosted at the Spanish Hills Country Club this year. We will have items for auction – either live or silent. We encourage our families to purchase their tickets as soon as possible when they become available.

Ongoing throughout the year:

  • Passive Fund Raising Ongoing:
    • eScrip: Register your credit cards to result in automatic support from a variety of places each time you use your credit card.
    • Scrip: Purchase gift cards and gift certificates from our school office. HCS purchases the cards and certificates at a discount. When you purchase the cards from HCS, a set percentage supplements our general operating fund.
      Approximately $13,000 was earned for advancing HCS through srcip and escrip.
    • Matching Corporation gifts from employees. We have greatly benefited from the generosity of employees at Amgen and Countrywide. (Check with your employer.)
  • Wish List
    • The HCS administration provides an ongoing wish list of items for parents and friends to donate to improve our school and its programs. Each teacher also has a wish list to inform friends how they can help provide for our students. For example, during a recent school year, approximately $180,000 in donations in funds and/or items have accounted for several school improvements. Thank you to those who have so generously met needs and wants above and beyond what tuition and fees are able to support. Each donation is important and is significantly helping to improve our school. For more information on the All-School Wish list call (805-497-7501, ext. 210) or email sallen@hillcrestcs.org our Head of School, Stephen Allen.