FAQs

 

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For more answers to frequently asked questions download our FAQ handout.

Why does Cate ask for a gift every year?

Tuition, endowment and annual giving are the three sources of support for the School. Tuition represents 69% of the School’s revenue.  Income from the interest on Cate’s endowment currently generates about 16% of the Cate’s revenue.  Most of this income is directed to specific restricted uses, limiting the flexibility of these funds. Cate Fund support represents the most flexible form of support, and makes the difference in Cate’s ability to respond to the needs of its faculty and students. Around 11% of Cate’s revenue comes from Cate Fund gifts.


Doesn't tuition cover the cost of a Cate education?

No. Tuition has never covered the full cost of a Cate education, and, in fact, every student has been, in effect, a recipient of support. Today it covers 69%. That means that even those families who pay the full price are not actually paying the full cost. From the beginning, Cate students have been subsidized by the generosity of donors.

 

Where does the money to the Cate Fund go?

The Cate Fund will provide over 11% of the School's yearly revenue in support of the operating budget.  It pays for faculty and staff salaries; utilities and office maintenance; financial aid; library books, periodicals, and research materials; laboratory and athletic equipment; and academic and extracurricular programs.

 

What percent of the students receive aid?

30% of current students receive financial aid.

 

Why should I make a gift to Cate?

Cate School's ability to continue to be what it aspires to be depends upon building support for the future.  Despite multiple successful capital campaigns and an endowment that has increased as a result, most of our peer institutions enjoy a much larger resource base.  Cate relies upon philanthropy and income from our endowment to provide nearly a quarter of the revenue for annual operating expenses. The Cate Fund provides the primary source of financial support which allows Cate to fulfill its purpose every day.

 

Why is participation important? 

A key question on foundation grant applications is the strength of constituent participation in the Cate Fund.  The support from alumni and parents is a clear measure of the effectiveness and success of the educational institution's program.

 

What is an "unrestricted" gift? 

Unrestricted gifts provide Cate with discretion to use the funds to meet the institutional priorities of the School. Unrestricted gifts to Cate provide over 11% of the total operating budget.