By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Fundraising efforts are in high gear while Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia appeal the decision to close facilities (see related stories).

But what happens to all that money if the appeals are denied?

The alumnae association for St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls has raised more than $600,000, and fundraiser Kathryn Ott Lovell says the cash will pay for tuition assistance and operating costs if the school remains open.

If the appeal fails, she says, donations will be returned — but only those of $500 or more. Lesser amounts, she says, will help students attend other Catholic schools.

“A lot of the funds have been collected on PayPal, and there is an administrative fee that is taken by PayPal to process those gifts,” she tells KYW Newsradio. “And if we gave every single cent back, we would lose money.”

An Archdiocese spokesman says schools do not need to raise money for an appeal, and cash is not the only issue in closing schools: other factors include enrollment, operating budgets and plant facilities.