Advancement Newsletter

A note from the Advancement Office Welcome to the first edition of Fort Bend Christian Academy’s Advancement Office semiannual newsletter! Through this newsletter, we will provide updates about fundraising events, the annual fund, alumni, volunteer news and community relations.

As I begin my first school year at FBCA, it is amazing to see the strong philanthropic support and the large number of parents who volunteer their time and efforts to help make our school even better.

Advancement highlights from the fall semester include:• Eagle Extravaganza back-to-school event, including fundraising for the Disaster

Relief Fund which raised over $30,000 for FBCA families, faculty and staff• Launch of the new Annual Fund program• Creation and kick off of the FBCA Alumni Association and appointment of first

Alumni President• Parent-Teacher Fellowship (PTF) has raised $800 for the Disaster Relief Fund,

has provided a homecoming tailgate lunch for all staff on both campuses and has performed more than 500 volunteer hours this semester

Your charitable gifts allow the school to think outside the operating budget and to entertain requests or suggestions that otherwise may not have been budgeted. Money given goes directly back into the programs and projects that make our school distinct, benefiting every student. We are truly grateful for those who partner with FBCA and help advance our mission through your time, talents and treasure!

As we approach the holiday season, we wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Nicole BowlesDirector of Advancement

Fall 2017 | Edition One

Inside this IssueFiscal Year Snapshot p. 2

Giving Update p. 3

Donor and Volunteer Spotlight p. 4

Alumni Association p. 5

Gala & Auction p. 6

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2016-2017 Fiscal Year Snapshot

Source of Funds$12,786,000

2016-2017 Total Giving: $580,350

(gross income from Annual Fund, special events and restricted gifts)

Administrative 20%

Technology 5%

Student Activities & Athletics

13%

Financial Aid 14%

Advancement & Marketing

8%Instructional

11%

Use of Funds$13,221,000

Tuition 91%

Fundraising 5%

Other Program Income

4%

Salaries &Benefits

60%

Capital Additions & Art Pavilion

10%

Debt Service 5%

Operations 25%

Operations Breakdown$3,341,000

Facilities 29%

2017-2018 Giving Update (gifts as of 11/15/17)

How to Support the Annual Fund

Online - www.fortbendchristian.org/donateBy mail - P.O. Box 112 Sugar Land, TX 77487

Matching gifts - Many companies match charitable donations

For questions about giving, contact the Advancement Office at 281-263-9112.

Every gift matters.

Annual Fund 100% Board of Trustees Participation

100% Administrative Leadership Team Participation

Other Fundraising (Disaster Relief Fund, Booster Club, Athletics,

Other Restricted Gifts)

Total Giving

$107, 834

$92,182

$200,016

Tiffany Newton and husband, Chris, have one son, Noah, who is in second grade and has attended FBCA since pre-k. She has been a Room Mom, Parent Teacher Fellowship board member, PTF Hospitality co-chair, Gala committee member and front desk volunteer.

Q: What is your favorite thing about FBCA?A: My child is fed spiritually on a daily basis, and he truly feels part of a “community” here at FBCA which is very important to me.

Q: Why do you volunteer at the school?A: I want to be the hands and feet of Christ and to show my child how important it is to serve. Q: What’s your favorite thing about volunteering for FBCA?A: I have gotten a chance to know many of the wonderful teachers, staff and the other volunteers.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Fort Bend Christian Academy, visit www.fortbendchristian.org/volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight

Donor SpotlightJill and Pete Ramirez chose FBCA because they wanted their children to grow and learn in a Christ-centered environment.

“In addition to academic excellence, it was important to us that our school’s values and beliefs align with our family’s values and beliefs,” Jill said. “We also wanted our children to have an opportunity to grow up with friends and families who could share their entire journey from grade school all the way through high school graduation.”

The Ramirez kids, Austin and Lauren, began attending FBCA in pre-k and are now in eighth grade. Austin currently plays basketball, and Lauren cheered last year. Austin and Lauren are triplets and have a brother, Zachary, who has autism and attends The Next Step Academy.

One of the Ramirez family’s favorite things about the school is how FBCA is promoted as a community – where the staff, students and families have the opportunity to participate in activities and programs both inside and outside of the standard curriculum.

“Our family has been very blessed, and we believe that supporting the school and serving others through charitable giving is consistent with Biblical teachings,” said Jill. “We support FBCA to help ensure that the mission and vision of the school can be achieved not only for our children, but also for as many students as possible – today and into the future.”

“It is an absolute pleasure to work with Tiffany. Her kind and humble heart is what sets her apart, makes

her wonderful to serve with and an excellent

example for our children.”Aly Bevington, PTF President

This semester FBCA established an official Alumni Association. Director of Advancement Nicole Bowles said, “We are thrilled to add this program to our school. It’s something that has been discussed for a long time, and we look forward to reconnecting with over 1,390 alumni.” The Alumni Association will host social events, reunions, provide opportunities for alumni to speak at admission events, volunteer on campus, serve as mentors to students, participate in speaking engagements and much more.

Zach Newton, Class of 2004, will serve as the inaugural president of the Alumni Association. “The first time I met Zach, I knew he was the right choice,” Bowles said. “Zach embodies the qualities of an exemplary FBCA graduate. Not only is he a strategic thinker, but he also has a long history with the school and a deep passion for taking the Association to a high level.”

Zach began school at FBCA in 1992, and remembers the school as being a very positive environment. “The size of the school helped foster relationships outside of your primary social circle,” said Zach. “I’m looking forward to helping engage and reconnect alumni to an institution that, in our formative years, was one of the most important places in our lives.”

Zach graduated from Texas State with a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting. He works as a Financial Analyst for BP, and has been married to Erin for six years. They are expecting their first child in May, and he hopes to continue the Eagle tradition for a second generation.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming alumni events:College Alumni Road-trip - Spring 2018, visiting Austin, Waco, College Station and Dallas

Alumni Association Social - March 22, 2018Senior Class & Alumni Dinner - May 11, 2018

Alumni Association

Alumni President

Jack Thomas and Rachel DrummondClass of 2013

Amy Varney Clements, Class of ’07 Ellie, Class of 2031

Gala Chairs:Vicki Vaughn, Jessica DeMarr Williams, Jenn LaRocca

Gala Committee (L-R) Kelly Ivey, Monica Holden, Vickie Kelley, Tiffany Newton, Tiffany Tyler, Catherine Kubala, Leah Henley, Tracy Pipes, Janet Jacob Varkey, Katie Harris, Stephanie Dobbs (not pictured)

Gala & AuctionFebruary 10, 2018

Sweetwater Country Club

Proceeds from the gala and auction benefit spiritual and academic enhancements as well as technology in the classrooms.

SAVE THE DATE