Welcome from Development & Alumni Relations
Like most independent schools, Rivermont depends upon the generosity of our donors to sustain and advance our mission. At Rivermont, there is a longstanding tradition of philanthropy. Since our founding in 1884 as St. Katharine’s School (and later St. Katharine’s-St. Marks’s), Rivermont has played a significant role in the lives of thousands of students. This history of academic excellence would not be possible without the generosity and commitment of the entire Rivermont Community.
Our supporters understand that excellence doesn’t happen by accident – it requires a steady infusion of time, talent, and financial resources. Rivermont students receive an education that tuition alone cannot cover. Development efforts are vital to helping meet the additional operational needs of the School, assisting worthy students with tuition assistance, hiring and retaining the very best faculty and staff, and continuing to expand and upgrade facilities and programs.
Rivermont has a comprehensive fundraising program that provides opportunities for every member of the Rivermont Community to make a difference. The Annual Fund, School Tuition Organization, Rivermont Endowment Fund and special fundraising events are just some of the ways you can help support the School. I invite you to explore the many ways you can make a difference at Rivermont!
Thanks to the generosity of generations of alumni, parents, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends, Rivermont continues to flourish. If you are or have been among these donors, we thank you. I encourage you to browse our website to explore our impressive history and extraordinary academics. I hope you will consider joining us on our journey into the next 130 years by investing in Rivermont and our students.
Thank you for your support! Our generous donors make the Rivermont Experience possible.
Rivermont Excellence Fund
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the commitment to providing students with a well-rounded and enriching experience goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. The Rivermont Excellence Fund fosters community excellence through diverse initiatives aimed at enhancing the educational environment.
Academic Programs: Your contribution ensures access to quality educational content, engaging classroom activities, and essential materials that genuinely enrich the learning journey.
Technology Infrastructure: Our capacity to stay up-to-date with technology prepares students for success in a world driven by innovation.
Professional Development: Your contribution supports ongoing professional development, ensuring our educators bring the best practices to the classroom. This commitment to excellence creates a culture of continuous improvement.
Extracurricular Activities: Your support enables students to participate in sports, arts, music, and clubs, fostering interpersonal skills, creativity, and leadership abilities. These activities help shape well-rounded individuals ready to face future challenges.
Day-Student Scholarships: We believe that talent knows no financial boundaries. Your donation allows talented and deserving students to access quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances, promoting diversity and enriching the overall Rivermont experience for every student.
Facilities and Maintenance: Your support ensures that our facilities provide a foundation for educational excellence, creating an environment where students can thrive.
Community Outreach: Engaging with the local community is integral to our mission and creates opportunities for shared resources, expertise, and experiences, enhancing educational quality and relevance.
Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization
In 2014, Rivermont was invited to join the Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization (MVSTO). The Iowa Educational Opportunities Act, signed into law in 2006, allows Iowa taxpayers to contribute to non-public school tuition organizations in exchange for state income tax credits. This means supporters of Rivermont who make gifts for tuition assistance through the MVSTO receive a 65% state income tax credit on the amount of their gift in addition to qualifying for a charitable contribution deduction for the full amount of their gift on their federal tax return.
Rivermont’s tuition assistance program ensures the Rivermont Experience is accessible to families of all economic backgrounds and that our student body remains diverse. Gifts through the MVSTO strengthen our tuition assistance program and make a Rivermont education available to all deserving students.
Click here to download a MVSTO donation form and follow the directions to mail your gift directly to the MVSTO.
MVSTO Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATION?
A school tuition organization is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization representing two or more accredited non-public schools that receive contributions from Iowa taxpayers and allocates those contributions in the form of tuition grants to eligible students. STO grants give the gift of school choice to families who otherwise could not afford the tuition at a non-public school.
Participating schools in the Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization (MVSTO) include Rivermont Collegiate, All Saints Catholic School, Assumption High School, John F. Kennedy Catholic School, Lourdes Catholic School, and St. Paul the Apostle School.
WHAT ARE THE TAX BENEFITS OF MAKING A STO CONTRIBUTION?
A STO contribution earns the donor a 65% Iowa state income tax credit on the amount of the gift. In addition, the donor may claim the entire amount of their gift as a charitable contribution deduction on their federal tax return. Therefore, those paying both state and federal taxes will receive more than 65% of their contribution back. For example, a donor giving $1,000 to the MVSTO will receive an Iowa tax credit certificate for $650 and the entire amount of their gift may be used as a charitable deduction on their federal tax return. It is recommended that you contact your tax advisor with specific questions regarding your taxes.
WHO MAY RECEIVE TUITION GRANTS?
Iowa law restricts tuition grants to students living in households with income that does not exceed three times the federal poverty guideline based on family size. A STO may set additional eligibility requirements.
WHO MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MVSTO?
Any taxpayer may contribute to Rivermont through the MVSTO. However, only individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts that pay Iowa income tax are eligible for the MVSTO credit.
HOW DO I RESTRICT MY GIFT TO THE MVSTO TO RIVERMONT AND NOT ANOTHER SCHOOL?
Subject to limits imposed by the State of Iowa, a donor may restrict their gift to one or more schools in the MVSTO. To ensure your gift benefits Rivermont students, use the gift form available on our website (hard copies are also available on campus) and be sure to check “Please restrict my gift to Rivermont.”
IS THERE A LIMIT ON THE SIZE OF GIFTS MADE TO THE MVSTO?
No – there are no limits on individual gifts. However, there is a cap on how many total tax credits Rivermont may give each year based on enrollment. For this reason, donors should act early in the year.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TAX CREDIT AND A TAX DEDUCTION?
A state tax credit is taken directly off the amount owed in state taxes. A federal tax deduction simply reduces the overall amount of income on which tax is computed. It is recommended that you contact your tax advisor with specific questions regarding your taxes.
Planned Giving
There are a number of creative ways to support Rivermont – ways in which you, your loved ones, and Rivermont all benefit. Such gifts are called planned gifts because, with a little thoughtful planning, you can create win-win giving for you and Rivermont!
There are many methods of planned giving that offer tax savings and benefits including will bequests, stock and appreciated securities, life insurance policies, real estate, gifts of property, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. Planned gifts can result in valuable income, gift, and estate tax benefits.
Successful planned giving requires good design. For this reason, we encourage you to contact Rivermont’s Development Office before beginning your planned gift consideration. We can help by explaining options to consider and even put you in touch with financial consultants and planned giving experts, should you need them.
We sincerely thank our planned giving donors for their generous support and encourage you to explore the planned gift that is right for you. For more information, call 563.359.1366.
Endowment
Above and beyond Rivermont’s need for yearly operating support is our need for the School’s long-term financial health. The Rivermont Endowment Fund, established to ensure the future of the School, is essentially our investment or savings account. Endowment funds are set aside in a permanent fund and carefully invested and managed, while interest earned from the investment of the principal provides reliable income in perpetuity.
Mail donations to:
Rivermont Collegiate Development Office
1821 Sunset Drive
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Endowment Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE RIVERMONT ENDOWMENT FUND?
The Rivermont Endowment Fund, established to ensure the future of the School, is essentially our investment or savings account. Endowment funds are set aside in a permanent fund and carefully invested and managed according to policies established by the Board of Trustees. The interest earned from the investment of the principal provides reliable income in perpetuity. While the Rivermont Endowment Fund provides long-term security for the School, interest income also funds things like student tuition assistance, salaries and benefits to attract and retain talented faculty and staff, improvements and expansions to facilities, technology enhancements, and more. In addition to the endowment fund invested and managed by the School and their financial advisors, Rivermont has also established an endowment with the QC Community Foundation, which offers special tax benefits for Iowa residents. For complete details, see the next questions.
WHAT ARE THE TAX BENEFITS OF MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO THE RIVERMONT ENDOWMENT FUND?
Rivermont is a nonprofit organization and all gifts are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. However, in addition to the endowment fund invested and managed by the School and their financial advisors, Rivermont has also established an endowment with the Quad Cities Community Foundation, which offers special tax benefits for Iowa residents. Iowa residents who make a gift to the endowment through the QC Community Foundation qualify for a 25% tax credit on their Iowa State income taxes through the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program. This is in addition to the federal income tax deduction for the donation. For complete details on this program, see the next questions. Illinois residents, of course, are also encouraged to donate to the Rivermont Endowment Fund and reminded that all endowment donations provide tax benefits to the donor and support the long-term financial stability of the School. Stay tuned, as Illinois has similar legislation pending to introduce Endow Illinois. While it has not yet passed, it does have strong and growing support!
HOW DOES RIVERMONT WORK WITH THE QUAD CITIES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?
The Quad Cities Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. Individuals, corporations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations work with the QC Community Foundation to create permanent charitable funds, which the Community Foundation invests and administers. These individuals, corporations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations receive professional guidance and assistance in growing their endowment assets and benefit from the QC Community Foundation’s expertise in gift planning, investment management, donor engagement, and more.
Iowa taxpayers who donate to the Rivermont Endowment Fund through the QC Community Foundation qualify for an Iowa income tax credit of 25% (in addition to the federal income tax deduction for the donation) under the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program. To qualify for this tax credit, gifts must be to an endowment at a qualified community foundation. This is why gifts to the Rivermont Endowment Fund must be made through the Quad Cities Community Foundation to qualify. For complete details on the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program, see the next question.
For more information on the Community Foundation, click here.
HOW DOES THE ENDOW IOWA TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WORK?
The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program was established to encourage building permanent endowments that benefit Iowa. Under the program, gifts made to an endowment at a qualified community foundation qualify for an Iowa income tax credit of 25% (in addition to the federal income tax deduction for the donation). Thus, Iowa taxpayers who donate to the Rivermont Endowment Fund through the Community Foundation qualify for an Iowa income tax credit of 25%. To qualify for this tax credit, gifts must be to an endowment at a qualified community foundation that meets standards set forth by the Council on Foundations. This is why gifts to the Rivermont Endowment Fund must be made through the QC Community Foundation to qualify. Tax credits through Endow Iowa can be claimed by individuals or businesses who pay taxes in Iowa. Tax legislation does not set a minimum gift under this tax credit program, though the Community Foundation has set a $100 minimum per gift. It is recommended that you contact your tax advisor with specific questions regarding your taxes. For more information on the QC Community Foundation and Endow Iowa, click here.
The 1884 Society
Fueling Rivermont Collegiate’s mission to empower academically driven students by cultivating their intellect, character, and creativity requires unwavering philanthropic support. And that’s where the 1884 Society comes in!
The 1884 Society is an exclusive membership that pays homage to the School’s long and remarkable history by recognizing leadership gifts of $1884 or more in a fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Member of the 1884 Society enjoy a range of benefits that showcase their commitment to excellence:
- Exclusive invitations to dedicated events hosted by the headmaster, where you’ll connect with like-minded philanthropists who share your passion for education
- Special recognition in alumni and donor publications, celebrating your generosity and impact on our community
- Prominent acknowledgment of your giving at our annual GALA, a premier event that brings together Rivermont Collegiate supporters for a celebration and inspiration night
- Most importantly, the knowledge that you are equipping our students with the tools they need to compete in an ever-changing world
Donations are used where the need is greatest, ensuring that the School can continue providing its students with the highest level of education. However, accommodations for requests to support a specific area or program.
Membership Levels:
- Founders Circle: $100,000
- Leadership Circle: $75,000
- Benefactors Circle: $50,000
- Patrons Circle: $10,000
- 1884 Society: $1,884
These contributions significantly impact the School’s ability to provide outstanding programs, scholarships, and resources that benefit the entire School community.
Fundraising Events
Special events provide significant fundraising for the School and gather the Rivermont Community for entertainment, reconnecting with old friends, and meeting new ones. Past events have included golf outings and auctions designed to provide opportunities for all school families and friends to participate in fundraising and community building. The annual events help support scholarships, specific needs, and more. We sincerely appreciate the sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees who make our fundraising events successful!
Gala 23 – Rollin’ Down the River Image Gallery