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Foundations in Education Newsletter - Summer 2021 |
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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,
What a year it has been! We have each suffered personal loss and a collective trauma this past year. Yet, amidst the difficulties, we have seen heroism, beacons of light and many great promises of hope. Now that we anticipate a most welcome resumption of normalcy, we wish to extend our thanks to each of you who contributed so much and helped to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Foundations in Education is grateful to the men and women making up our Board of Trustees. Their commitment to our mission and support of our programs was never more evident than this year. Individually and as a group they stepped up to help guide us through the crisis. Thank you.
To our donors and friends, we are deeply appreciative of all your support in words of encouragement and deeds. Our donors are near and dear to our hearts, including our “Anonymous Angel” investor in COVID tuition assistance relief as well as each donor known to us. With your help, we were able to reach more teachers, students and families than ever before. Thanks to you, Foundations in Education awarded more than $3.5 million in tuition assistance, and recognized 100% of Diocese of Bridgeport teachers and staff for their Innovation and Leadership. Thank you.
We are grateful to the teachers and staff of the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools for their Leadership and Innovation, most notably for their personal sacrifice and commitment to their students and Catholic education. A GREAT reminder as to why we are all so committed to our mission! Thank you.
Finally, thank you to Bishop Frank for your vision and support and to the Foundations in Education staff for keeping the ship on course, amidst some turbulent seas. It is humbling to know only collectively can we accomplish the good work before us and achieve our mission. Thank you one and all for being part of the Foundations in Education family and for the very special place you hold in bringing our mission to life and in transforming the lives of our students, one student at a time. Thank you.
Stay safe, be well and may you enjoy a well-deserved restorative and restful summer.
God bless you.
Holly Doherty-Lemoine, CFRE, Executive Director
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We celebrated our annual fundraising event on May 6, 2021 with a “Virtual Hybrid Spring Benefit.” The evening featured home hosts as well as a few “in person” guests at Woodway Country Club in Darien, which served as the communication hub for the live streamed awards and auction.
Bishop Frank Caggiano was on hand at Woodway to welcome friends virtually and to recognize honorees Lynn and Francis Mara (New York Football Giants, Inc.) and Dr. Julia McNamara (President Emerita Albertus Magnus College). These honorees truly embody excellence in education and generosity in philanthropic support of Catholic education.
The awards were followed by a video of students with Bishop Frank. Auctioneer Pat Tully led the virtual audience in a high energy live auction and Raise the Paddle for tuition assistance. The night was highlighted by a surprise appearance by Eli Manning, who along with Frank Mara will join one lucky donor on a golf outing for two at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, NY!
Thanks to benefit co-chairs Barbara Ripp and Xandy Duffy, the entire benefit committee, and the generosity of the many donors and sponsors, the evening was a great success, raising over $900,000. Special thanks to the sponsors who assure hundreds of students will receive assistance this year.
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Check out our Newly Debuted Video! |
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Henry Rondon was appointed to the FIE Board of Trustees in April. Henry currently serves as Assistant Executive Director at The Connecticut Association of Schools and Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CAS-CIAC). Prior to joining CAS-CIAC, Rondon spent 21 years at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, where he served as a teacher, coach, club moderator, athletic director, dean of students and ultimately principal, a position he held for five years.
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Board Member Recognized for Service |
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Congratulations to Board of Trustees' Vice Chair Joe Purcell, who was recently recognized with the 2021 Caroline House Award of Philanthropy.
For six years, Joe was an exemplary Caroline House Board Member, instrumental in securing funds, recruiting board members and advancing their mission of enabling women and children to reach the fullness of their potential through education in English language and life skills.
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Fellow FIE Board members, committee members and staff joined Joe as he was honored at the Inn at Longshore in Westport. |
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The Foundations in Education Board of Trustees held their Annual Meeting on June 17, 2021. Special thanks to Board member Robert D. Scinto, who hosted the evening meeting and dinner at Il Palio restaurant in Shelton featuring renowned chef, Margherita Aloi.
The Board reviewed Foundations’ progress during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the number of students, teachers and families impacted by our programs and the fundraising results for the year, including the successful Virtual Hybrid Benefit held on May 6, 2021. They approved the budget and program features for the new fiscal year, beginning July 1.
A Board retreat is planned for the fall.
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New Family Applications Deadline Extended |
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The Bishop’s Scholarship Fund (BSF) application deadline for new K-8 families has been extended as funding permits, with the intention of helping to boost enrollment and encourage consideration of Catholic education for families.
The mission of the BSF is to help families afford Catholic elementary school tuition in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Now in its 7th year, the fund has awarded nearly $15 million in assistance to thousands of students attending Diocesan schools in Fairfield County who demonstrate financial need.
Last year, an anonymous donor to FIE provided $1 million in additional funding for COVID-19 emergency tuition assistance for K-8 families suffering financial hardship from Coronavirus-related illness, loss of employment, or loss of business. Together with this fund, we awarded 1,480 students over $3.5 million in tuition assistance for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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What Will Your Legacy Be? |
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Foundations in Education Inc is inviting membership to the Legacy Society. Become a partner in Legacy by making a gift to Foundations in Education through a bequest or by naming Foundations in Education as a beneficiary in your insurance, retirement or estate plan. We seek to aid donors and friends with their philanthropic goals of supporting Catholic education as a living legacy and continuing the work you deemed important during your lifetime.
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Click here for a printable version of this Newsletter.
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