A Transformational Gift, A Legacy of Opportunity

A Transformational Gift, A Legacy of Opportunity

A Transformational Gift, A Legacy of Opportunity

BY JENNIE WILLS
Chief Advancement Officer

For more than 100 years, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School has nurtured generations of Saints called not only to succeed, but to serve, lead, and inspire. Today, Saints Together: Our Campaign for Community ensures that legacy continues—rooted in tradition and reimagined for a new century.

This bold, strategic initiative delivers on the promise of our vision: to reimagine the Upper School with signature spaces, strengthen the Saints Fund, and invest in our endowment through the Gift of a Saints Education, making this transformational experience more accessible for generations to come.

An Extraordinary Matching Gift

At the heart of this momentum is an extraordinary act of generosity. Marguerite Orr Pitts ’62 has made a transformational matching gift to inspire others to support the Gift of a Saints Education, one of the three pillars of the Saints Together campaign. 

Her impressive career spans the Foreign Service, community revitalization, and real estate finance, including roles as a real estate construction lender advisor at Citicorp and as an independent investor. A passionate supporter of the arts and environment, she has also offered her leadership to organizations including the Nature Conservancy, Teatown nature preserve, the Concert Artists Guild, and the Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Marguerite shared her inspiration for the gift—“The culture of acceptance and valuing each individual is what I remember and appreciate most about my years at St. Agnes. We were strongly encouraged to look for the good in everyone, and see differences in our fellow students as strengths rather than deficiencies.” As such, her matching gift is not just an investment—it is a call to action, inviting our community to help shape a future which includes a more diverse set of experiences and perspectives. 

Marguerite Orr Pitts ’62

The Gift of a Saints Education: Goals & Impact

Reflecting on our Episcopal identity, the Gift of a Saints Education is an answer to our call to love and serve others. Through this philanthropic opportunity, we aim to raise $3 million to endow five full scholarships, expanding our financial assistance program to reach students whose families need comprehensive support—beginning in kindergarten and continuing through grade 12. These scholarships are designed to be fully inclusive, covering not just tuition but the full scope of the student experience:

  • Textbooks and academic materials
  • Athletics, performing arts, and co-curricular activities
  • Field trips, travel courses, and out-of-pocket expenses

This support ensures equitable access and affirms our commitment to building a community that reflects socioeconomic diversity.

This incredible matching gift is not just an investment—it is a call to action—Every gift to the Gift of a Saints Education endowment will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling its impact and accelerating our progress toward fulfilling this critical goal.

Marguerite Orr Pitts ’62 and fellow alumna Donnie Wintermute ’65

Philanthropy in Action

Thanks to the generosity of donors, we have already made significant progress raising $1.8 million toward the $3 million goal, and have awarded three of the five scholarships to current and incoming students. 

Gifts made to this transformational Saints Together priority will provide critical, lasting support for generations of Saints.

The Saints Fund: Supporting Excellence, Today and Tomorrow

While the Gift of a Saints Education ensures access for tomorrow’s Saints, the Saints Fund sustains what makes a Saints education extraordinary today. From classroom innovation and faculty excellence to arts, athletics, chapel, and student life, the Saints Fund powers every aspect of our values-driven, joyful learning environment.

Gifts through the Saints Fund have immediate impact, allowing us to remain bold, creative, and intentional in how we teach, lead, and serve.

Together, We Are Saints

Throughout the 100-year history, the generosity of Saints has transformed dreams into reality. Saints Together gives us the opportunity—and the responsibility—to do the same for future generations.

We are close to completing this historic campaign—but we need you to help us cross the finish line. Whether you help fund a full scholarship and double your impact through the current match, support daily operations and programming through the Saints Fund, or name a space in the reimagined Upper School, your gift will impact our current students, and echo forward for decades to come.

This is our moment.
Together, we honor the past. 
Together, we build the future. 
Together, we are Saints.