Welcome to the Saint Peter’s Prep Class Chair Program!
This Class Chair page will include all you need for the current fiscal year’s fundraising initiatives, information on the roles and responsibilites of the Class Chairs, and the proper training materials and resources to help you succeed in your voluntary work for our alma mater.
The Class Chair program is an essential bridge between Saint Peter’s Prep’s Office of Institutional Advancement and its alumni community.
Class Chairs learn about key initiatives and share that information with their peers, classmates, teammates, and brothers. They also ask their classmates to support Saint Peter’s Prep with an annual gift (of any size) to the Annual Fund.
As a class communications leader, the Class Chair also keeps their class up to date on the happenings in their own lives. Class Chairs share significant life news (weddings, engagements, promotions, births, etc.) with their peers and help keep Prep up to date on these milestones, as well.
The Class Chair also encourages class participation in reunions, Career Day, and all broader Advancement events.
Class Chairs are a crucial point of contact between Prep and their class. They are key drivers of alumni donor participation and reach out to classmates during fundraising campaigns throughout the year. They also help share Prep news and information with their classmates.
Class Chairs take on a leadership role. They work closely with the Director of Annual Giving and the Director of Alumni Relations to help engage, solicit, and steward gifts. They check in with their fellow classmates and encourage giving. They are also visible ambassadors for Prep during campaigns, offering challenges, and coordinating outreach.
The yearly time commitment for fundraising volunteers varies. Our current annual calendar is available here. We have three major “all hands on deck” initiatives each year with smaller efforts around December 31, April, and June 30.
In a month when we are launching an appeal, we ask Class Chairs to read our preparatory material, respond to requests for information and feedback, attend a virtual meeting, and reach out to classmates in support of our initiatives. Fundraising volunteers could expect to devote 2-plus hours of time in an appeal month.
In a month without an appeal, we ask Class Chairs to share any noteworthy news with classmates to keep connections alive between fundraising efforts and update us with any classmate information. Please see here for the complete roles and responsibilities form.
If you are interested in becoming a Class Chair, please feel free to reach out to Molly McGarry, Director of Annual Giving at mcgarrym@spprep.org or 201-547-6444 or Mike Murcia, Director of Alumni Relations at murciam@spprep.org or 201-547-6413.
This Class Chair Directory will include all you need for the current fiscal year’s fundraising initiatives, general information about Class Chair responsibilities, and training materials to help you succeed in your volunteer work for Saint Peter’s Prep.
When coming to the Directory for information, this page is always a good place to start, as is the Class Chair Calendar, where you can take note of events to attend and future campaign and appeal dates when we’ll be asking for your targeted outreach efforts.
As fundraising and engagement volunteers, you will have 3-4 periods each year to do targeted outreach to your classmates to support Saint Peter’s Prep through one of our fundraising campaigns, calendar and fiscal year-end giving, and the Founders Day giving day.
Check out the Outreach page for timely resources for your volunteer work related to the next campaign, appeal, or event.
New and continuing class chairs alike ask us this question… and we have answers!
So, you’re a fundraiser and you’re wondering how to get started, asking your classmates for a gift is similar to any other invitation. The way you ask will depend on your relationship with your classmates and their relationship with Saint Peter’s Prep. It will also depend on your style. Successful interactions have common elements that increase your chances of a positive outcome.
Introduction and rapport building. Identify yourself in the first line of your text, email, or phone call. Find common ground by mentioning Prep.
Purpose. Explain your role and why you’re reaching out. Be friendly, but also be upfront. Tell classmates that you’re in touch to ask them to contribute to Prep. If that feels awkward, one way to establish contact might be to first share information about Prep. You could then follow up another time with your fundraising ask.
Articulating the need. When you do initiate an ask, Prep’s top fundraising priorities are the Annual Fund and General Scholarship Fund.
Urgency. Remind your classmates of the benefit of giving now. The sooner a gift arrives, the sooner it can be put to work. And every gift, regardless of the amount, supports each and every student.
Expressing gratitude. Thank your classmates for their time and for considering your request.
The fiscal year. Any gift made between July 1 and June 30 will count in the current fiscal year and toward your class gift.
Lead by example. Make your own gift before reaching out to your classmates and share your reasons for contributing.
Practice. It’s okay to be nervous.
Understand the why. If a classmate says no to giving, it can be an opportunity to learn why. Share that feedback with the Advancement staff. Many alumni are grateful for the opportunity to express their concerns.
Get in touch. If you are not able to address objections, please contact us. We’re happy to provide resources or be part of the conversation.
Stay in touch. The Advancement staff are here to help you do this important work.
The Annual Fund. Year after year, the Annual Fund plays an important role in helping Saint Peter’s Prep thrive, providing essential funding that supports every aspect of the Prep experience, specifcially scholarship support. Currently, 78% of Prep students receive financial or merit assistance. Your generosity towards the Annual Fund helps ensure that takented young men can access an education rooted in faith, academic excellence, and service.
Have you ever wonder about the impact of smaller gifts? Last year, we received 3,690 gifts towards the Annual Fund. Of these gifts, 2,122 were received in amounts of $100 or less totaling $132,367, with the average gift being $659. A big impact to each and every student at Saint Peter’s Prep!
Want to know more? Please visit here for our recent Impact Report.