Sometimes, it’s just not possible to make a donation. In fact, we know that it gets tougher and tougher in the current economic climate to make a sizable donation to the Academy Fund. If that’s the case for you and your family, we ask that you consider one of the following ten (somewhat crazy!) ideas. All of them help spread the word about what an incredible place Staten Island Academy is, and all of them empower you to become an incredible fundraiser. So set a goal, and then ask someone else to write the check.

[First, we ask that even if you don’t give, that you give $10. That will ensure that we meet our goal of 100% participation from current families. Next, consider and commit to one of the following ideas. Contact the Development Office to discuss with them in more details and explore new and creative ways to make a financial contribution without writing a check.]

Get 5 Friends to Give
Can’t make a donation of $500? Ask five of your closest friends to give $100 each. It’s tax-deductible for them, and when it comes time for your child to graduate and go off to college, they’ll know that they were part of supporting his or her life goals. We’re serious. We’ll thank them profusely.

Brag About Your Child!
Make a list of everyone you know. Everyone. And spend a day calling each of them and telling them about the amazing things your child is doing at Staten Island Academy. And then ask them if they would donate $5. If you really make a list of every single person you know, it could total $1,000 or more.

Call Our Alumni
Are you an alum? Call another alum. Set a goal of $250, $500, $750, and raise that money by getting other alumni involved in the Academy Fund. Do it online through Facebook, in person, or over the phone. And make sure to invite them to some of this year’s alumni events. Click here to learn more. It’s a great way to re-connect with old friends and support the school.

Ask Your Boss
You work hard so you can send your child to the Academy, and we know that you know it’s worth every penny. Does your boss know why you work so hard? Ask him or her to check out this website and see the truly impressive place where you send your kids to school (or where you went to school). And ask them if they’ll make a tax-deductible gift in place of yours. They can deduct it, feel good about supporting your family, and personally contribute to your child’s success.

Get a Business to Donate
Businesses love getting the word out about their products and services, but advertising is expensive. So talk to the managers or owners of your favorite business and tell him or her that you will wear their T-shirt or hat at Academy Day this year and that every Academy parent and student will see it! In exchange, they can make a tax-deductible gift to Staten Island Academy and support your child’s school, education, and future.

Host a House Party
House parties are a great way to round up your friends and have fun. Invite your favorite Academy teacher and make a fun night of it. Raise a glass and tell everyone why you send your kids to Staten Island Academy. Ask everyone in the room if they’d consider a tax-deductible gift of $25. And then invite them to Academy Day to say thanks! They’ll get a thank you letter from the school, too.

Clean Out the Garage
What if the exercise bike you bought in 1994 could actually help send your child to college? It can. Spend a day cleaning out the garage and selling everything on eBay. Take the proceeds from your sale and donate to the Academy Fund.

Add a Button
Have a website or a blog? Add a special graphic button to it so that your readers and users can make a gift to the Academy. It’s a great way to harness the power of the Internet to support the Academy’s mission. Click here to see the Web Tools page and check out the graphic buttons.

Oops, that’s 8 ways, not 10. Have another crazy way to tell us about? Email the Development Office by clicking here and share your idea.