Tartan Alumni Legacy Endowment

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• WHAT IS T.A.L.E.?

  TALE supports St. Margaret’s financial aid program for current and future Tartans.
  
  As the only alumni-driven, financial aid-focused endowment fund, TALE is used to support financial aid funding in perpetuity. The goal is to have TALE ultimately serve as St. Margaret’s primary source of financial aid funding, ensuring that all students receive the St. Margaret’s experience.
   
  St. Margaret’s is proud of our alumni who go out and honor our mission of learning, leadership, and service. St. Margaret’s is fortunate to benefit from each graduate who becomes a leader within their community, while also being generous to St. Margert’s with their time, financial support, and other means. Each generation of Tartans benefits from this legacy of generosity.
   
  How much each alumnus contributes is a personal decision. Alumni have historically given $1 to $5,000, and each gift makes a difference, regardless of its size. Each gift you makes a difference in each student’s education.

• WHO BENEFITS FROM T.A.L.E.?

  St. Margaret’s provides financial aid to more than 150 Tartans each year, totaling ~$4.3M. These Tartans are an integral part of our SMES community, and are involved with athletics, the arts, student government, and so much more. Without these students, our school would not be the place that we all grew to love.
   
  TALE supports financial aid for these students, partially funding the aid packages needed for these Tartans to receive a St. Margaret’s education. Ultimately, TALE will grow so that it can sustain financial aid demand in perpetuity, ensuring that each Tartan receives an education, regardless of their financial background.

• WHAT IS T.A.L.E.’S STRATEGIC VISION?

  The vision for TALE is that it becomes a self-sustaining fund that fully funds financial aid in perpetuity at St. Margaret’s. In other words, the goal is for TALE to provide enough money such that that every Tartan can receive a St. Margaret’s education regardless of financial background. However, as St. Margaret’s grows, the need for financial aid will grow as well. This is where TALE can assist in alleviating the financial pressure placed on the students and St. Margaret’s.
   
  Since its inception, TALE has raised over $650,000 in permanently restricted funds, with a lifetime return of 8.2%. All gains have been reinvested in the fund for compounding growth to support future Tartans. Yet, TALE will need to keep growing in order to support our students receiving financial aid. Consequently, our long-term vision is to grow TALE to ~$50 million over the next decade.
  
  TALE works like the majority of endowment funds used by educational institutions. When you donate to TALE, your dollar is invested in a collection of index funds and other assets that create compounding, long-term growth which ultimately generate funds for financial aid in perpetuity.

• WHAT IS ST. MARGARET’S CURRENT ENDOWMENT?

  Our endowment is $16 million. An endowment is basically a “nest egg” for the future. By building on St. Margaret’s endowment and supporting financial aid you will help ensure that future generations of Tartans needing extra support can have the opportunity of a St. Margaret’s education.

• DO I NEED TO SUPPORT TALE AND THE ANNUAL FUND?

  Annual Fund refers to gifts made every year. With the creation of TALE, alumni annual gifts will support TALE and invest in the present and future of your alma mater by building the endowment.

• MY COMPANY HAS A MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

  Many companies offer as a benefit to their employees the opportunity to “match” your charitable contribution to your chosen charity or non-profit. You can utilize a matching gift through your work to surpass the leadership donor mark of $2,500 – meaning you can contribute $1,250 annually (roughly $100/month) and your company will contribute the balance to make you a leadership donor! To see if your company has program contact your Human Resources Office or contact alumni@smes.org for assistance.

• CAN I MAKE MY GIFT THROUGH STOCKS?

  Alumni can make gifts multiple ways – cash, credit card, and also through stock transfers. To do so contact alumni@smes.org for all the details on how to make your gift.

• CAN I NAME ST. MARGARET’S AS A BENEFICIARY ON MY 401K AT WORK OR IN MY ESTATE PLAN?

  Certainly. By doing so you’ll become part of the Ernest D. Sillers Legacy Society. Named after Fr. Sillers, it was established to recognize those whose commitment to St. Margaret’s extends well into the future. Contact Jonathan Tufo to notify us for proper recognition.

• CAN I VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON THE TARTAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S ENDOWMENT TASKFORCE?

  Certainly! We love alumni volunteers. If you have a passion for encouraging your peers to philanthropically give back to your alma mater, this might be a great volunteer fit for you! Please contact alumni@smes.org to express your interest.

• I made a gift, why didn’t I receive Tartan Stance socks?

  Sorry if you missed it. Our T.A.L.E. Stance campaign was connected to donations made in June 2018 during our campaign period.

• What is a GiveAlanche?

  Basically, when you give to SMES online you will receive your own link to share on social media, email, text, etc. with friends and family. You can then see how your gift – of even say $10 – can grow and make real change for future Tartans. Give now and see how it works!

• Do you take VENMO?

  Yes and yes! Make your gift easy and just venmo us @TartanAlumni. Be sure to include a heart and your name/class year!