A SPICE 2006 Program

Located in West Philadelphia, St. Francis de Sales has had an outstanding reputation for serving minorities and immigrants. Today’s school is comprised of an eclectic and electrifying mix of 500+ Americans, refugees and children from over 30 nations. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and dedicated lay teachers staff the school.

As other parochial schools have closed, De Sales has expanded its boundaries and accepts students from an ever-widening territory. Each year, there is a waiting list of prospective students who want to experience the De Sales Difference. Thanks to unflagging support from parishioners, friends, foundations and alumni, our operating expenses are on solid financial footing, and we celebrated our centennial by beginning to build an endowment.

After 13 years of working on Development, our financial situation is the following:

• The Annual Fund raises over $300,000 a year
• The Tuition Assistance Programs receives more than $100,000 annually
• Socials produce about $30,000 annually
• Several bequests have been received
• The Development team is in the process of setting up a Planned-Giving Program

With so much for which to be grateful, “How Can We Keep from Singing!”