TMI Fund

A tradition of community support through The TMI Fund

Every fall, TMI begins appealing to all families, faculty and staff, and friends of TMI to support The TMI Fund in whatever capacity they are able. We give thanks to our donors for the strong support in the community and hope you will consider joining us in this year’s effort to continue this great tradition of community, philanthropy and shared vision.

Why do independent schools need an annual fund?

If you’re new to independent schools, you may wonder why we need to raise money through The TMI Fund. TMI is committed to offering an excellent education within a rich and nurturing community environment. We ask for your philanthropic support to provide the funding necessary to not only continue to equip the faculty and staff with the resources they require, but also to provide new opportunities for growth and learning to our students. The TMI Fund serves as the most critical fundraising effort of the year. Funds raised during this annual appeal accomplish two primary goals:
 
  1. First, they provide ongoing support to the operating budget, allowing us to offer competitive salaries to faculty, sustain and update curriculum, and maintain a campus that has become as important to our students as any other part of their TMI experience. 

  2. Second, the TMI Fund allows us to explore new possibilities each year for our community including extracurricular activities, technology, professional development, and academic programming.
Gifts to The TMI Fund have a direct and tangible impact on every student, every day. 

TMI Fund FAQs

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

  • Q: Why does TMI need to raise money?

    Simply put, tuition does not cover the full cost of a TMI education. The difference between the school's operating cost and total tuition dollars must be met through fundraising for The TMI Fund and other appeals. Additionally, expenses such as construction and improvement of athletic fields and other assets are not funded by tuition.
  • Q: I already pay tuition. Why should I participate in the TMI Fund?

    Again, tuition does not cover the cost of running TMI. The school depends on the generosity of families like yours to help meet our bottom line. Yes, raising tuition or cutting expenses would solve this issue, but TMI is committed to offering access to its outstanding education by keeping tuition as low as possible. Even a family that does not receive financial assistance benefits from the generosity of our parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. It takes the entire TMI community to bridge the gap through Annual Giving.
  • Q: What is the purpose of Annual Giving?

    The money donated to the TMI Fund is used within the fiscal year received and supports a portion of TMI's daily operational needs. But that's not all. You want more for your child and so do we. Tuition dollars only stretch so far, and we want our students to extra-curricular programs and opportunities that turn an excellent education into an outstanding one. Your generous tax-deductible annual gift provides direct funding to educational initiatives that tuition alone does not cover.
  • Q: We buy items at Stars Over TMI. Isn't that the same as giving to the TMI Fund?

    Participating in Stars Over TMI (and the Annual Entrepreneur & Innovation Award Luncheon) is very important, but it is different from making a gift to The TMI Fund. Buying an auction item or purchasing a ticket to Stars is a quid pro quo transaction and it is not 100% tax deductible.
  • Q: What's the TMI Fund goal for this year?

    We need to raise $450,000 to support scholarships, professional development, campus improvements, academic and extracurricular programs that make TMI great.
  • Q: Is that the only goal?

    The dollar amount is important, but it's only part of the story. We also have a participation goal. TMI is a giving community, and you can help make this year even better than the last, with 100% participation.
  • Q: Who else is asked to give?

    Everyone involved with the school. In addition to all the people who work here, donors include the alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, former faculty and staff, Board of Governors, Board of Trustees, volunteers, corporations, and other friends of TMI.
  • Q: How much am I expected to contribute?

    Only you can determine the amount that’s appropriate. Your generosity will benefit your own child now and many other TMI students through the years. Gifts range from $100 to $100,000. All gifts to TMI enhance our programs. The only gift that is too small is the gift that is not made at all. If you gave last year (thank you!), please consider increasing your gift this year. Consider joining others at the next giving club level up.
  • Q: Am I expected to give to both Annual Giving and Capital Campaigns?

    We hope families will support both. However, because The TMI Fund supports immediate expenses, we ask that Annual Giving be your first priority. Of course, the generosity of those who participate in both Annual Giving and Capital Giving is deeply appreciated and fully recognized by the School.
  • Q: Can I pay monthly? By credit card? Online?

    You can pay by check or credit card, in one payment or installments, by electronic funds transfer, or even by transfer of appreciated stock.
  • Q: Can I give anonymously?

    You can give anonymously to TMI by noting it on your donation form. We will honor your request. Why, then, do we list donors at all? There is no TMI without donors. Every gift makes a difference and should be acknowledged. We publicly thank TMI Fund contributors in donor honor rolls. These publications usually report giving by levels. Other lists may not mention the size of the gift. We like to thank our donors by name because we believe it honors their gifts, and establishes them as leaders in the TMI community. We also believe that publicly acknowledging the families who have participated in the TMI Fund encourages others to give.
  • Q: Do I need to send money right now?

    You may make a pledge now and pay it before TMI’s giving year ends on May 31 to count toward this year's TMI Fund. Gifts received after May 31 will count toward next year's TMI Fund goal. Knowing your intent now helps the school budget better and take advantage of unexpected opportunities to serve students.

Creative Ways to Give

Recognition Levels

  • Panther Club up to $249
  • Orange & Black Society $250-$499
  • Trustee's Circle $500-$999
  • President's Circle $1,000-$2,499
  • MacArthur Circle $2,500-$4,999
  • Board of Governor's Circle $5,000-$9,999
  • Chairman's Council $10,000-$24,999
  • Bishop's Order $25,000+
In honor of our school's founding year of 1893, donors who make a cumulative gift of $1,893 or more to TMI Episcopal during the fiscal year belong to the Founder's Circle and will receive an invitation to the annual donor recognition event.
MISSION: TMI provides an exceptional education with values based on the teachings of Jesus Christ that challenge motivated students to develop their full potential in service and leadership.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
TMI Episcopal admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, religion, and physical ability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, religion, and physical ability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
TMI Episcopal
20955 W. Tejas Trail
San Antonio TX 78257
phone (210) 698-7171
fax (210) 698-0715