Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the annual fundraising goal for DSHA? $685,000 for the 2012-13 DSHA Annual Fund, $200,000 for the 2013 Spring Benefit Auction and $75,000 for the Dash-A-Thon student fundraiser.  This totals $960,000 to meet the needs of our students for 2012-13.

2. How much should I give? Gifts to the DSHA Annual Fund range from $10 to $20,000. Specifically, leadership gifts of $1,000 or more are vital to our ability to achieve our mission.  A gift of $3,500 supports the difference between tuition and the cost to educate a student – an amount we need to account for.

3. What happens if DSHA doesn’t reach its annual fundraising goals? Annual fundraising helps DSHA remain competitive and achieve the highest standards of excellence locally, statewide and nationally. Tuition alone is not enough to provide a DSHA education. If annual fundraising falls short, difficult choices must be made by the DSHA Board of Directors, President and Administrative Team.  Consequences can include the following:

• Tuition increases at a greater pace.
• Compensation for faculty and staff does not increase and may need to decrease.
• Scholarship assistance decreases.
• Enhancements of curriculum and facility maintenance are deferred.
• Programs or staff may be eliminated.