Bricks For Rick

Frequently asked questions - Easy answers to your questions

• Why does participation matter
• How do I give
• I already paid for, am paying for tuition. Why should I give?
• Why doesn't Bishops simply raise the fees?
• Why does Bishops need to fundraise?
• Bishops has an Endowment Fund – Why not spend it?
• What is the goal?
• Where does my donation go?
• How much should I donate?
• Is the Appeal for everyone?
• Is my donation tax deductible?
• How is the Bishops Rand spent?
• I have questions that are not answered here. Who can I call?

 

Why does participation matter?
Gifts to Bishops are just one part of the relationship with the School. Volunteering, coming to campus for reunions, staying in touch with classmates and the community as a whole, and giving are all important facets of a strong relationship with Bishops. It is the sincere hope of everyone at the School that ODs, parents, and friends will participate in every aspect of this relationship.
Participation in giving to Bishops has value for several reasons. Giving indicates a support of the overall direction of the School, which is extremely important to other funding sources, such as foundations. For example, when considering whether to award a grant for the recycling program or to scholarships,  a foundation will ask about participation from alumni, parents, and friends. Without the support of these key constituencies, granting organizations would not have the confidence in the institution to provide their support as well. In short, it all begins with you. Please consider a gift to this project  today.

How do I give?
There are many ways to give to the School:
You can send a check, payable to "Diocesan College Council," in the mail to:
The Development Office
Diocesan College
Campground Road, Rondebosch
7700
Cape Town
South Africa
 
You can make an electronic transfer to our account.

Account Name	Diocesan College Council
Bank	Standard Bank
Branch	Rondebosch
Branch Code	025-009
Account Number	07 142 1270
PBO Number	930004571
Swift Code	SBZA ZAJJ

I already paid for, or am paying for tuition. Why should I give?
The School’s annual expenditure on running expenses, renovation, repairs and maintenance, educational equipment and salaries is entirely provided for from fees and income from investments. The school only has three forms of income – fees, donations and income from investments.
If you or your child has been the recipient of a Bishops education, then you have also received the generous support of the alumni, parents, and friends of the Bishops family who have supported the School through generations. Help to give today's students the opportunity that you or your child had at Bishops. Please consider a gift to Bishops today.

Why doesn’t Bishops simply raise the fees?
Fees pay for the day to day running costs of the school, which include salaries, catering, admin support, cleaning, maintenance, laundry, nursing, sport, security and transport. Despite this long list we have to ensure that our fees remain competitive and offer value for money to parents across a wide social and racial perspective in South Africa. In any case, it would take an impractically high increase in fees to support the substantial programme of capital projects we feel necessary to keep the school in the top flight of independent schools in South Africa.

Why does Bishops need to fundraise?
Bishops is wrongly perceived as being well endowed. However in order to maintain our position as a recognised Centre of Excellence, we need to invest funds to generate a substantial income. For the school to continue operating at its current high standard, school fees would need to be substantially higher. Bishops Council does not want to make fees unaffordable for many families and has requested a comprehensive and continuous fundraising campaign driven by the Development Office. Currently the school’s Endowment Fund consists of a Reserve Fund which is less now than it was in 1994. This is largely due to market conditions and expenditure on new buildings and the fund needs to be matured and grown. The school has enjoyed financial good fortune in the past and these funds were put to good use, including high quality facilities like the Simpson Art Centre. However Bishops does not benefit from the large endowment funds available to some schools. In order to build on past achievements and bring our ambitious programme of future improvements to fruition, we need to supplement fee income with support from other sources.  

Bishops has an Endowment Fund – Why not spend it?
The income from the Bishops Endowment Fund is a vital source of funding for the supporting of campus priorities. The future progress of Bishops is based on having this money invested to generate an income stream.   It is an investment portfolio that supports the school’s long-term priorities. The capital in this fund is rarely touched - instead income generated by the interest is used to bankroll priority projects. The Endowment Fund is Bishops’ financial security for the future and reflects the philanthropy of many generations of the Bishops Family.

What is the goal?
The aim of this project is to raise R 2m by 8 October 2008
 
Where does my donation go?
Every rand you give goes to realise Bishops’ goals. Every donation for the Bricks for Rick Clubhouse will go into a specific account called the Bricks for Rick Appeal so it is not just going into one big pot!  Should you choose not to designate your gift then Bishops will invest your donation in the General Endowment Fund. This is an investment portfolio that supports the school’s long-term priorities.

How much should I donate?
We anticipate that parents will make Bishops their highest philanthropic priority while their pupils are here, and that OD’s will recognise the critical importance Bishops played in their success and will support and enhance the School’s ability to provide a similar opportunity to those that will follow. Gifts to the school ranges in size from R25 into six digits. While leadership gifts are important to the school’s economic strength, every gift DOES matter and every gift DOES make a difference. Strong financial support of Bishops demonstrates the donor’s understanding and commitment to the school. We expect that each person will participate at a level appropriate for his or her circumstance.
We are asking each person/ family/corporate to donate ‘a brick’ at R5000. This qualifies you the donor for current tax benefits of up to 10% of annual taxable income as an individual or corporate.

Is the Bricks4Rick Appeal for everyone? 
OD’s, parents, past parents, faculty and staff will and have been solicited by mail and /or in person and for their support. However the main focus of the continuous campaign is on current parents. Two goals drive the Fund – the total Rand amount and percent participation per grade. Bishops values the inclusive nature of our community, and participation in this appeal is an important priority. The parent participation goal is 100%.By making a gift early in the campaign, you will not only save the school the expense of repeat mailings and phone calls, but will also serve to take your name off the solicitation lists for the remainder of the campaign! 

Is my donation tax deductible?
All donations will receive a Section 18 (A) tax receipt qualifying you, the donor, for current tax benefits in South Africa.  The donation can be from an individual or a company and both qualify as a donation. We also have trusts established in UK, USA and Canada so that you enjoy tax benefits in the country of your choice. Bequests are exempt from paying estate duty in terms of Section 35(12) of Act No 66 of 1965 in South Africa. Bishops is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) number 930004571. All contributions to the school, except school fees, are deductible pursuant to the prevailing tax law – section 18A of the Income Tax Act of 1962. All donors receive a tax receipt noting their gift amount, date of gift and the nature of donation thereby qualifying them for current tax benefits in South Africa.  
 
How is Bishops financed?
The financial model that underpins the school’s operation depends on three principal sources of revenue: income from investments, fees and philanthropy. Donor support is a vital component of Bishops’ financial equation.
  How is the Bishops Rand spent?
Personnel                                                           .72c
Overheads                                                          .14c
Boarding Houses                                              .05c
Maintenance                                                     .04c
Curricular & academic activities                .             04c
Computer network                                         .01c
Total                                                                R 1.00

I have questions that are not answered here. Who can I call?
If you have additional questions not addressed here, please contact Grant Nupen at +27 (0)21 659 1005 or principal@bishops.org.za