Annual Fund 25-26 - Frequently Asked Questions 

WHAT IS THE ANNUAL FUND? 

The Annual Fund is a critical part of Vanguard’s yearly fundraising efforts. It is money donated by Vanguard trustees, parents, alumni, staff, and friends to support the school’s operating budget and provide additional resources that enrich the educational experience of our diverse student body. It supplements scholarship funding and helps provide additional activities and academics. The Annual Fund allows for a flexible response to the school’s needs and directly impacts the growth of our school each year. 

The Annual Fund Campaign supports unrestricted operating expenses – part of the annual budget.

IF MONEY IS NEEDED, WHY NOT JUST RAISE TUITION? 

Revenue from the Annual Fund allows our school to ensure affordable tuition with limited percentage increases, which makes our school accessible to a diverse group of talented students. 

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM THE ROAD TO THE 50th CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?

A Road to the 50th  Campaign is supporting building the physical campus for Vanguard for the next 50 years. This is the biggest campaign in the school’s history. This campaign support major projects such as new campus construction and renovations to maintain state-of-the-art facilities. These gifts are many times one-time large gifts towards the building renovations.  Many of these gifts are given in multi-year pledges or are estate planning pledges or other assets.

WHY IS PARTICIPATION SO IMPORTANT IN THE ANNUAL FUND? 

Family participation is critical. It serves as an objective measurement of how strongly Vanguard families support the school. Evidence of this support enables the School to successfully seek additional funding from corporations and foundations. 

HOW DOES THE ANNUAL FUND RELATE TO BINGO AND THE GOLF TOURNAMENT? 

Like the Annual Fund, Vanguard’s Board Bingo event and VPC Golf Tournament count as unrestricted giving, which can be used by the school as needed. However, giving to an event is not the same as giving to the Annual Fund. Annual Fund gifts are completely tax-deductible and count toward our participation numbers, specifically when applying for grants.  

WAYS TO GIVE 

• Online - Click Here

• Mail – Attention Greta Knoll –  2517 Mt Carmel, Waco, TX 76710

• Securities – Vanguard works through the Waco Foundation with gifts of securities. Contact Greta Knoll at 254-772-8111 or Greta_Knoll@Vanguard.org 

• Donor-Advised Funds – Through a Donor Advised Fund, individuals can make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend a grant to Vanguard College Preparatory School. 

• Matching Gifts – Increase your impact by checking with your employer to see if they offer matching charitable gifts. Request a form from the company and send it with your gift or use the online platform they recommend. 

• Charitable IRA Rollovers – Donors age 70+ or older can make tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per year director from their Individual Retirement Accounts. EIN #74-1815978

• Planned Giving – Bequests, BeneficiaryDesignations of Retirement Assets, Life Insurance, Annuities,or Bank or Investment Accounts To learn more, please contact Greta Knoll, Director of Development & Alumni Relations Greta_Knoll@Vanguard.org or 254-772-8111