Day School Grant Update
March 26, 2019
I want to provide an update on our Lutheran Foundation Day School Grant. As many of you may or may not know, the Lutheran Foundation changed the formula prior to this year for funds to be received for the 19-20 school year. That formula change reduced what we as a school would be able to receive by as much as $5000 annually.
We have been able to use these funds for various things that our budget has been unable to support over time such as updated laptops and technology and the maintenance of that tech. Over the last several years that has been how we have used the largest portion of the grant. I am happy to say that through these efforts our tech is much more up to date and functioning well thanks to these funds.
We have also been able to use a portion of it for marketing and the annual subscription for our math and science curriculum. The Lutheran Foundation Day School Grant has been a real blessing to our school over the years, which made it a hard pill to swallow when, through the new formula, we would potentially receive a smaller grant possibility for the 19-20 school year.
How does SJE get access to this money? SJE is only able to apply for the Lutheran Foundation Day School Grant if and when money is deposited into our endowment. As of this update, the SJE endowment has not had any deposits made into its endowment this year. That means that the school will not be able to apply for a Day School Grant for 19-20, therefore, for the first time, forgoing all that we have benefited from over the years. As a school, we will need to look harder at what tech updates we can make, if any and where our curriculum subscription money will come from in our smaller budget.
So here is the good news! After receiving feedback from other schools and their constituents, The Lutheran Foundation voted last week to restore the original formula for schools, giving us those potential dollars back.
Below is a short video that The Lutheran Schools Partnership produced about two years ago that explains it far better than I can. The window to give to the endowment to benefit the 19-20 school year is rapidly closing. Giving for next school year ends May 31, 2019.
I realize that there are many places you can give that compete for your attention. In my mind, there are two that have potential eternal consequences for our children, the SGO, which helps kids attend our school and learn about Jesus, and our endowment, which allows us to acquire tools we need to continue to provide an excellent Christian education for those at SJE.
Please consider giving to our endowment. If you are unable to do so, please consider sharing this with someone who has a heart for Lutheran education and a willingness to give.
Thank you!