Endowment is an independent school’s savings account. Annual distributions from the endowment pay for the expenses not covered by tuition, Annual Giving or other income. Endowment provides additional permanent annual resources to maintain and improve the quality of education we provide our students. It also protects the school’s future financial well-being.
When the Rt. Rev. John Hines and the Rev. William Brewster founded St. Stephen’s, they established a school rooted in progressive principles — provide rigorous academics, build a diverse community, develop creative thinkers, support social justice, shape global leaders, promote equity within our community and beyond.
Gifts to St. Stephen’s endowment help preserve these fundamental principles and sustain our school’s proud tradition of excellence. Endowment provides for the highest quality academic, arts and athletic instruction, financial assistance to qualified students, professional development for faculty and staff, and campus enhancements.
Endowment provides a reliable source of income in perpetuity since St. Stephen’s can count on annual distributions to help support the ongoing work of the school. A strong endowment also helps increase stability and prestige by reinforcing St. Stephen’s long-term stability and fiscal responsibility. Endowment helps relieve pressure from Annual Giving by providing annual support for the school’s operating budget.
All gifts to endowment are acknowledged in the school's Annual Report of Philanthropy. Named endowment gifts of $50,000 or more are listed in all subsequent reports.
No endowment is named or published in St. Stephen's Annual Report until the entire gift amount has been received by the school.
Most importantly, our endowment supports general operating expenses of the school. It is also possible to give endowment gifts in support of financial aid, our faculty and various school programs.
Generous St. Stephen’s alumni, parents and friends have established endowed funds at the school. These funds support the people, programs and infrastructure that make possible an outstanding educational experience for our students. These funds are held in perpetuity, assuring the donors that their vision will continue to make a difference in the lives of motivated young people at St. Stephen’s for years to come.
To leave a gift to St. Stephen's, simply include the following paragraph to your will:
"I give, devise and bequeath to the permanently restricted St. Stephen's Episcopal School Endowment Fund (or Annual Giving, or current financial aid) of Austin, Texas, the sum of $________(or a percentage or a description of the specific asset), for the benefit of St. Stephen's Episcopal School and its general purposes."
