Giving
1,000 Saints For Our Future
Saint Bernard School is beginning a new and exciting chapter! Now independent from the Diocese of Norwich, our future rests in the hands of those who know and love this school best—our alumni, board, families, and friends.
St. Bernard School continues to thrive as a place of academic excellence and spiritual community, with 95% of graduates going on to college. Today’s students continue the traditions and values of alumni, but rising operating costs and tuition of more than $14,000 make it increasingly difficult to keep SBS accessible for all families.
That’s why we are launching this fundraising campaign: “1,000 Saints for our Future.” Out of more than 12,000 alumni, about 300 contribute each year. Our goal is to change that—to bring together 1,000 alumni and friends to give back; helping ensure St. Bernard remains a place where students from all walks of life can thrive.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Make a gift today. Whether it’s $100, $500, $1,000+, your donation directly supports current and future students.
2. Spread the word. Share this message with your classmates and friends. Many alumni care deeply about SBS but have lost touch—we need your help to reconnect them.
In addition, we are launching a long-term endowment campaign to ensure the school’s future for generations to come. If you are in a position to make a lasting and significant gift, we invite you to reach out to Head of School Don Macrino or any member of our Board of Directors.
St. Bernard gave us the foundation to succeed in life. Now it is our turn to ensure that future generations have the same opportunity. Together, as Saints, we can keep our school thriving and strong.
With gratitude,
Board of Directors, Saint Bernard School
![Group photo of the seven Planeta family siblings]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760108475/saintbernardschoolorg/kzmesukbheuoqcbehvnr/Planetathumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760108475/saintbernardschoolorg/kzmesukbheuoqcbehvnr/Planetathumbnail.png","width":512}])
The Planeta Family: Renewing a Legacy of Faith and Support
Saint Bernard School has received a $350,000 pledge from the Planeta family to fund the Dorothy Planeta Memorial Scholarship for the next decade.
The family says the school’s independence from the Diocese of Norwich and its transparent leadership gave them confidence to renew their support in such a significant way.
Methods of Donating
- Online using a Credit Card
- Cash (in person only)
- Check
- Payable to Saint Bernard School
- Mail to:
Matching Gifts
Many businesses will match charitable contributions made by their employees.
Thank you to the following companies for matching their employees’ charitable donations made to Saint Bernard in the last fiscal year.
Retirement Giving
The IRS requires those 73 and older to make Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from their retirement accounts before the end of the year.
Now is when you have to pay taxes on portions of the money from IRAs or 401-Ks. You can designate a non-profit like Saint Bernard School as the direct recipient of some of the money!
Your donation to SBS goes directly from your retirement fund to the school — never touching your hands and never resulting in any tax. (The IRS says you can start making these tax-free donations from your retirement funds at age 70 ½ — though you’re not required to begin taking your RMDs until 73.)