Each spring the Board of Regents adopts a budget well in advance of the new school year. The challenge is to project enrollment figures, which will generate income to offset expenditures. The annual budget counts on revenue from four sources:

• Tuition provides the primary source of income, generating approximately 58% of the annual cost of operation.
• Charitable gifts from alumni, churches, businesses and friends account for 24%.
• Additional dollars (8%) are derived from a variety of auxiliary enterprises including gate receipts, food service, facility rentals, etc.
• Investment earnings, including transfers from the Foundation, currently account for 10% of the revenue, much of which is applied to student aid.

On the other side of the ledger, the faculty and staff payroll accounts for 75% of the annual expenditures. For many years, Oak Grove paid wages significantly lower than area Class B schools. During the last decade significant salary increases have closed this gap. However, since 2000 the challenge has been to keep pace with double-digit increases in healthcare costs, which have stressed an already tight operating budget.

While Oak Grove pursues cost containment at every opportunity, overall expenditures continue to rise. Significant increases are expected in marketing, transportation and communications within the next several years. For this reason, gifts to the Annual Fund are vital to sustaining the mission.

Ongoing donations devoted to everyday needs and costs at Oak Grove are a vital area in which to direct your gifts.

Please consider giving to Oak Grove’s Annual Fund. For more information or to speak to someone directly about giving, contact the Advancement Office at 701.237.0212 or click here.