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Foundations in Education Newsletter - Fall 2020
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Foundations in Education, Inc is committed to strengthen and transform the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport by supporting innovation in academic and extra-curriculum programs, fostering opportunities for the professional development of school leaders in innovation and leadership and providing tuition assistance to families in need.
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Dear Friends,
We are well into the academic year and delighted to report our students and teachers are fully engaged in “in person” learning. The Diocese of Bridgeport Schools’ classrooms may look different, and masks may have become the newest fashion statement, but rest assured - active and enthusiastic personalized learning is making a huge difference for our students.
Thanks to the selfless generosity of friends, Foundations in Education was able to award nearly $2,700,000 in tuition assistance to more than 1,200 elementary school students through the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund. Twenty-six donors sponsored 73 Leaders of Tomorrow this year!
By the grace of God, an anonymous donor contributed an additional $1,000,000 in COVID-19 Emergency Funds to assist families suffering from hardships as a direct result of the pandemic. This provided an additional 457 awards! Our hats are off to the tireless efforts of the Scholarship Committee who worked overtime this summer to assure the funds available were distributed to those who needed it most. We are grateful to the donor(s) and volunteers who touched so very many lives.
A number of teachers submitted their applications for Innovation and Leadership Grants by the October 31 deadline and the Grants Committee anticipates an inspiring set of applications this year. We are eager to see if the lessons of last spring inspired new and innovative ideas for what instruction of the future may look like.
On behalf of the Foundations Staff and Board, we miss you! We missed celebrating Catholic Education with you, our friends, at what would have been our spring gala. We missed celebrating our amazing students at what would have been our Leaders of Tomorrow Reception. Absence does make the heart grow fonder and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you as we anticipate reuniting with you again in 2021.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our teachers and students, especially through what has proven a terribly challenging time. Your contribution to Foundations in Education transforms lives and for this we are most grateful.
With appreciation and best wishes for your health and well-being.
Holly Doherty-Lemoine, CFRE, Executive Director
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Foundations in Education’s gala returns in May as we honor Lynn and Francis X. Mara (New York Football Giants, Inc.) and Dr. Julia M. McNamara (President Emerita, Albertus Magnus College). Chaired by Barbara Ripp and Xandy Duffy, the gala will take place on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT.
Celebrity auctioneer Pat Tully will provide an entertaining evening of humor and high energy as guests bid on exclusive packages, including vacation homes, dinner, sports events, and a priceless experience with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.
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New Video Featuring NY Giants' David Diehl
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“Giving a gift to Foundations in Education will dramatically change a child’s life forever.”
David Diehl, former New York Giants offensive lineman and two-time Superbowl Champion, recently sat down with Ella, Aria and Lamar to talk about Catholic education. As a Catholic school alumnus, David knows firsthand that our schools foster not only academic excellence, but also an environment of shared values and loving support.
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Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, 365 students were able to remain in our Catholic elementary schools and 92 new students were able to join our Catholic School family. The Bishop’s Scholarship Fund Committee of Foundations in Education's Board of Trustees worked tirelessly throughout this summer with Diocese of Bridgeport elementary schools to identify families most in need.
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Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, under the leadership of Camille Figluizzi, is working diligently to expand their “Career Pathways Program” started several years ago, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor to Foundations in Education.
The current program includes a certificate in advanced manufacturing. The expanded program will include a pathway to certification in several careers in healthcare. In partnership with Housatonic Community College, Kolbe seeks to launch this newest initiative in January 2021.
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Christopher Ripp Early Learning Program
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All Saints Catholic School in Norwalk is the newest school to host the Christopher Ripp Early Learning Program. Established through a generous grant from Barbara and Peter Ripp, the Pre-K after school program piloted at St. Peter School in Danbury expanded to All Saints this year, under the guidance of Principal Linda Dunn.
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Easy Ways to Give this Holiday Season
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Join us on Tuesday, December 1 for Giving Tuesday.
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Make a gift through your Donor Advised Fund.
Distributions may be made to Foundations in Education -
EIN# 47-5130557.
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Include Foundations in Education as your favorite charitable organization when shopping from Amazon Smile. 0.5% of your purchase can be donated, with no fees or extra cost.
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2020-2021 Bishop's Scholarship Fund Statistics
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4,685
students attend Diocesan Catholic elementary schools
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2,225
students applied
for tuition assistance
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1,262
students awarded
$2,675,950
in tuition assistance
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$6,023,537
Overall Calculated Need
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48%
Raised by Single Parents
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54%
Qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch
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$56,293
Average Gross Income
$40,144
Median Gross Income
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39% Hispanic
31% White
17% African American
3% Asian
1% Native American
4% Multiracial
2% Other
3% Not Reported
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We have 73 Leaders of Tomorrow Scholars this year - a record high!
On behalf of the students and families, we humbly THANK our 2020-2021 Leaders of Tomorrow Sponsors:
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Paula & Tom McInerney [26]
Liz Ann & Tom McDevitt [8]
Cynthia & Ned Lautenbach [4]
Venman & Co., LLC [4]
James Colica [3]
Barbara & R. Bradford Evans [2]
FACTS Management Co. [2]
Nancy & Charles Howe [2]
Kris & Kevin Jandora [2]
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Andrea & Jonathan Maldon [2]
Barbara & Peter Ripp [2]
Anne & Brian Young [2]
Marigle & Joseph Barragan
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Mary & Brian Donovan
Xandy & Jack Duffy
Elise & Neil Gabriele
Lisa Lanni
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Lynn & Frank Mara
McInerney Family Foundation
Breege and Michael O’Reilly
Dr. Newberger and Dr. Posner
Lisa & Joe Purcell
Becky & Michael Shea
Valerie & Jeffrey Sprague
Patricia Zaccone
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We are grateful for our corporate and foundation donors that recognize the enduring value and excellence of Catholic education. Together we can help create a brighter future for our students and our community.
We gratefully acknowledge the following contributors who support the important work of Foundations in Education.
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4imprint
Amazon
Amazon Smile
Bluff Point Associates
The Catholic Academy of Stamford
Catholic Club of Norwalk, Inc.
Dominican Academy of the City of New York
Dominican Sisters of Peace, Inc.
FACTS Management Co.
Fairfield University
GWS CPA Educational Foundation
Holy Trinity Catholic Academy
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation
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Macaroni Kid, LLC
Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Inc.
The McInerney Family Foundation
Microsoft Corporation
Milestone C
Mutual of America Life Insurance Company
Newtown Savings Bank
The O'Herron Family Foundation
The Resource Foundation Inc.
Robert D. Scinto, Inc.
Nicholas and Viola Spinelli Foundation
Saint Aloysius Parish
Saint Huberts Foundation Trust
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To learn more about becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact Megan Quinn
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