Since its inception in 1976, the St. Hilary Parish Foundation has grown to over $11 million, with $5.3 million granted to date.  The Foundation has been incredibly blessed by donor generosity, and in turn, has been able to provide significant support for needs of the church and school.  With a sizeable amount in its coffers, some may wonder why the Foundation continues to seek donations.

The Foundation is managed by a board of directors who oversee the funds, review and grant requests for distributions, and confirm that fund expenditures comply with applicable donor and fund restrictions.  A fiscally responsible spending policy permits only 4% of the 12-quarter average in an unrestricted fund to be distributed, in order to maintain growth and prevent depletion of that fund. Other funds have equally sound spending policies for the same reasons.  Market fluctuations play a part in this, as do the amount of donations into a fund in relation to gifts distributed from that fund.  The distributable amount in any given fund is always lower than the balance of the fund itself, so donations are imperative in order to continue the ability to make distributions from the fund.  And it goes without saying that increased donations lead to increased funds, leading to the ability to provide increased distributions.

When fund balances permit distributions to support the church and school, the need for a pastoral appeal to parishioners for special offertory collections or donations is eliminated.  While the weekly offertory collection funds the basic operating expenses of the parish, the Foundation subsidizes capital improvements and unforeseen expenses for the church and school, and supports programs and amenities that enrich the parish community.  Contributions in any amount enable these grants to be a reality.  This website details many ways to support the Foundation in its mission to underwrite needs of the church and school.  Please contact Diane Sarkis, Development Director, at 330-608-4787, or click here to make a donation.