Giving

2012 november ariel and jennifer in library - edited for website.jpg

Ways To Give

Giving Opporunities

Since 1928, Our Lady of Mercy High School has reflected the motto:
Via - the Way: embracing in Gospel Values
Veritas - the Truth: unleashing creative energy for the pursuit of knowledge
Et Vita - the Life: nurturing a hope-filled vision for leadership, responsibility and service.

Please help us to continue our mission today and for future generations.

The tuition at Mercy covers only part of the cost of educating our students. In order to continue to provide the best possible experience to the young women of Mercy, we must depend on the generosity of our parents, alumnae and friends to supplement these costs. There are a number of ways that you can help:

2011-12 Annual Report

Annual Fund Appeal

Each fall, Mercy launches the Annual Fund Appeal to contribute to the operating costs of the school, as well as financial aid, academic enrichment materials, student leadership training and professional development for teachers.

One way that you can contribute to this fund is to sponsor the renovation of an auditorium chair. In return for your donation of $150, an auditorium chair will bear your name, or the name of a loved one, for years to come.

Mercy's fiscal year is July 1 to June 30th. Please make your donations by June 30th in order to be included in that year's Annual Report of Gifts.

Become a Dream Weaver

Many young women want to experience The Mercy Advantage, but are not able to due to their limited resources. Through the Dream Weaver program, donors can sponsor a student and give her the opportunity to grow and mature into a proud woman that can realize her Dreams! To learn more about becoming a Dream Weaver, contact Suzanne Johnston, President of Mercy High School, at (585) 288-7120, ext. 315.

Planned Giving

What values do you want to pass on to the next generation? Leave a legacy, an enduring mark, through a planned gift to Our Lady of Mercy High School. Help continue the work started by the Sisters of Mercy more than 80 years ago of educating young women in Rochester in academics and faith to go out into the world and make a difference.

There are several ways to make a planned gift to Mercy —

Remembering Mercy in your will – bequests of any size help OLM
Listing Mercy as a beneficiary on an individual retirement account (IRA)
Donating your home or real estate to Mercy has many tax advantages for you in addition to giving to OLM
Contributing long term appreciated securities or gifts of closely held stock provide for OLM while giving you full fair market value tax deductions
Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity – a gift of cash or securities of $10,000 or more and in return you, or two persons you name, will be paid a fix sum quarterly for life. The rate of return is often higher than what’s available from many conservative investments.

When making your plans, after your loved ones have been provided for, please consider a gift to Mercy. You will be welcomed into the Cornerstone Legacy Society as one way of Mercy appreciating and recognizing you for your generosity and vision with a planned gift.

To learn more about a planned gift to Mercy, contact Melanie Barnas-Simmons in the Advancement Office at 585-288-2610 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Catherine McAuley Wall of Honor

The Catherine McAuley Wall of Honor stands in the gallery of the new wing at Mercy as a tribute to women who have made a difference, both to Mercy and to those who support us. The Wall of Honor recognizes women for their strength of character, sensitivity and courage as well as belief in the mission of Mercy and inspiration given to others. For a donation of $500, the name of an honored woman will be etched upon the Wall of Honor.

Mercy Spirit Gala 2012

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women celebrated our 10th Annual Spirit Gala with a "Roaring Twenties" theme. This year set record breaking attendance on Family Fun Night and event chairs Joe & Jennifer Roxstrom and Chris & Renee McNiffe welcomed another 350 Spirit Gala guests on Saturday to celebrate the following honorees: