Mater Dei Catholic
High School

Rooted in Tradition
for a Faith-Filled Future

MATER DEI FOUNDATION
 

The goal of the Mater Dei Foundation is to be the financial foundation of Mater Dei Catholic High School which has been providing quality secondary Catholic education for more than fifty years.  Donations to the Foundation are not spent, but when invested they yield earnings which are a source of growth for the Foundation and a source of income to help Mater Dei Catholic High School defray operating costs.  Support of the Mater Dei Foundation addresses present and future needs.

What is the Mater Dei Foundation?

The Mater Dei Foundation was organized to promote Catholic education at Mater Dei Catholic High School through financial support.  Contributions to the Foundation are invested and earnings on investments are distributed at least annually to Mater Dei Catholic High School.  The Foundation also reimburses the Mater Dei Catholic High School Advancement office for costs incurred performing administrative duties for the Foundation such as collecting donations and memorials and promoting the Mater Dei Foundation.

The Foundation is a Corporation formed under the Illinois Not-For-Profit Act.  The Corporation is managed by a ten-member Board of Directors which meets regularly.  Each member serves a six year term.  Five new directors are elected every three years.  The Board attempts to maintain geographical representation.  Members of the Corporation are all persons who have contributed to the Foundation through the Mater Dei Catholic High School Annual Fund Drive during the previous fiscal year.  An Annual Meeting is held on the third Wednesday of August.

The Foundation’s assets and the day-to-day administrative issues associated with those assets are managed by an Investment Committee consisting of at least two Directors.  The Committee follows the guidelines set forth in the Mater Dei Foundation Investment Policy.

History of the Mater Dei Foundation

In 1980, the Catholic Diocese of Belleville created an Educational Endowment Trust.  Contributions to the Endowment Trust could be designated for the benefit of Mater Dei Catholic High School.

In the fall of 1988, a group of Mater Dei Catholic High School supporters met to elect officers and to adopt by-laws and policy for the formation of a Mater Dei Foundation.  The initial Board members were each required to make a contribution to the Foundation of $1,000.00.

In January of 1989, the Catholic Diocese of Belleville announced the dissolution of the Diocesan Endowment Trust.  Althoff and Gibault Catholic High Schools’ portion of the Endowment Trust were put into trust for them.  Mater Dei Catholic High School’s portion, $270,476.59, was turned over to the Mater Dei Foundation.

As of June 30, 2009, the assets of the Foundation have grown to $2,267,905.36.  Since 1989, the Foundation has distributed over $500,000.00 to Mater Dei Catholic High School.

How can I give to the Mater Dei Foundation?

A gift to the Mater Dei Foundation is an investment in the future.  It is truly a “gift that keeps on giving.”  Your contribution is invested.  Only earnings on the investments are distributed to Mater Dei Catholic High School, preserving the capital.

Contributions to the Mater Dei Foundation can be made in several ways:

1. through the Mater Dei Catholic High School Annual Fund Drive by marking the appropriate box on the Fund Drive donor envelope;

2. through memorials, as requested by families upon the death of a family member;

3. through estate planning:  Wills, bequests, gift annuities, life insurance, charitable trusts;

4. through an outright contribution at any time;

5. through gifts of stock which are sold and the proceeds invested.

The Mater Dei Foundation is a Corporation organized within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Therefore, contributions are tax deductible.

Making a Planned Gift To Mater Dei High School

For further information regarding the Mater Dei Foundation, please contact the school at 618-526-7216.

Current Directors of the Mater Dei Foundation include:
 

Anita Rakers (President)

Steve Usselmann (Vice President)

Darlene Beer (Secretary)

Rich Knebel (Treasurer)

Randy Gebke

 Joe Heiligenstein

Ed Kleber

Don Schomaker

Wayne Steiner

Deb Keilbach (Trust Officer)

Dennis Litteken (Principal)

Fr. Chuck Tuttle (OIA Director)

Kathy Huelsmann (OIA Assistant)