- Are my donations tax-deductible?
Yes, the St. Sebastian Fund is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation exempt from federal income tax pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 501©(3). Contributions to the St. Sebastian Fund are tax deductible.
- How do I know if, and when, my donations have helped a school?
All contributions through www.catholic-athletics.org are made to the St. Sebastian Fund. When a donor makes a contribution to support a school’s small grant project, the St. Sebastian Fund uses 100% of that contribution to fund that school’s request. We will post the status of each grant on the website. When a grant has been funded, we will ask the schools to send thank you notes to the website.
- Can any school, or club, participate in the Small Grant program?
Catholic schools that include any grades 6-12 are invited to submit a grant application. Organizations other than Catholic schools are not eligible to participate in the Small Grant Program.
- Why does Catholic-Athletics suggest an extra donation for the St. Sebastian Fund?
There are many administrative costs associated with managing the website and communicating with donors and schools. To help cover these costs, the Fund requests additional donations.
- How does a Small Grant Application approval process work?
Catholic schools are invited to submit a grant application describing the school, its Catholic affiliation, health, fitness, and athletic education programs, and the purpose for which it is seeking a small grant. If the school and its grant request are eligible for the Small Grant Program, a Small Grant Agreement is sent to the school. The Small Grant Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the school’s participation in the Small Grant Program including that any funds it receives will be used exclusively to Fund the school’s Small Grant request.
Once the school executes and returns the Small Grant Agreement, the school’s Small Grant request is posted on the St. Sebastian Fund’s website: www.catholic-athletics.org. Visitors to the www.catholic-athletics.org can review and make financial contributions to support the Small Grant requests. Visitors to www.catholic-athletics.org are also invited to make contributions to support the mission and programs of the St. Sebastian Fund.
- What happens if a Small Grant project doesn’t get completely funded?
- If a Small Grant request is such that it can be partially funded, donations designed for that Small Grant request will be provided to the school even if the full amount of the Small Grant request cannot be funded. For example, if a school makes a Small Grant Request to cover the cost of two dozen basketballs, but total donations result in a Small Grant which is only sufficient to cover the cost of one dozen basketballs, the school will be provided with a partial Small Grant to purchase basketballs.
- If a Small Grant request is such that it cannot be partially funded and receives insufficient donations, donors supporting that Small Grant request will be contacted and their money will be put into an “Online Donor Card” so they may designate another Small Grant request to support.
Whether a Small Grant request can be partially funded is noted in the description of each Small Grant request on the website.
- May I donate by check or credit card?
Yes, donations will be accepted either way. Checks should be written to “St. Sebastian Fund.” In the memo area of the check, please note the Catholic-Athletics Small Grant number. This will ensure the funds get applied to the appropriate Small Grant request. Credit cards will be accepted through our PayPal account.
- How did Catholic-Athletics.org get its start?
The St. Sebastian Fund, established in 2009, believes that many Catholic schools are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the equipment and facilities required to provide health, fitness, and athletic education programs, potentially threatening the quality and, in some instances, the viability of Catholic education in many communities. In an effort to address this concern, the St. Sebastian Fund, Small Grant Program and www.catholic-athletics.org were created to advance the Catholic faith by supporting the unique religious and educational opportunities offered by Catholic schools through support for their health, fitness, and athletic education programs and the students who participate in these programs.
- Why does the Small Grant Program have a cap of $2500.00?
The Fund believes that the Small Grant Program is in place to help schools with projects of smaller dollar values that are not considered to be capital purchases. Bigger grant requests typically require the invovement of the school board, the booster club, and, in some cases, the Diocese. It is not our intention, at this time, to be involved in these sorts of capital dollar projects.
- Whom can I contact to discuss my project or a donation?
You may contact the St. Sebastian Fund’s Executive Director, Robert New.
By U.S. Mail:
The St. Sebastian Fund
P.O. Box 711
Marion, Ohio 43301-0711
By email:
rnew@stsebastianfund.org
By phone:
Toll Free: 888-284-1725