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Foundations in Education Newsletter - Summer 2022 |
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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! Diocesan Catholic schools enjoyed a double-digit enrollment increase for the first time in over a decade and are on track to sustain those numbers into the fall. Credit for this increase goes to the return of our youngest students in Pre-K and our teachers and administrators who provided an exceptional and uninterrupted education for all their students. Although we are not fully beyond the COVID pandemic, we are learning to coexist in a less disruptive manner assuring our students continue to receive the excellent Catholic education they deserve.
With an increasing enrollment comes an increase in the opportunities for Foundations in Education to aid families in affording a Catholic education for their children. Thanks to you, our donors and friends, we were able to help nearly 1,200 students with nearly $2.5K in tuition assistance. We are currently working with the Scholarship Committee to award students for the 2022-23 academic year.
We had a spectacular Cinco de Mayo! We are grateful to the more than 220 attendees at our 2022 Spring Gala, held May 5th at Woodway Country Club. It was a fun-filled evening, featuring an auctioneer new to us, Bobby D of Inspire Hearts Fundraising. Thanks to your generosity, FIE had our most successful event to date, raising over $1.3M. These funds will benefit students and faculty at our schools in the coming year and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Our Annual Board of Trustees Meeting was held on June 9th. Hosted by Chair Tom McInerney, we honored the 15 individuals first recruited by Bishop Frank to the Board of Trustees to help launch his vision for this Catholic School Foundation. From our humble beginnings, we have come a long way with much of the credit going to these contributing Founding Trustees who set the bar for those to follow. We are grateful to our current Trustees, too, who aptly carry forth the torch of our mission and who serve our cause so selflessly.
Finally, we wish to pay tribute to Gerry Robilotti, a Founding Trustee and friend who recently passed away. Gerry was involved on several committees of the Board since our beginning in 2015 and was involved in most everything we do. He was a contributing Trustee, an advocate for families and a friend to Foundations in Education. May he rest in peace.
Thank you for being there for our students and their families and for sharing so generously in our mission. We do not know what the future will hold, yet we are grateful for your continuing support of Foundations in Education.
Stay safe, be well, and enjoy a lovely and restful summer.
Holly Doherty-Lemoine, CFRE, Executive Director
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Gala Raises Over $1.3 Million
Our annual Gala and premiere fundraising event was held in-person on May 5th at Woodway Country Club in Darien. More than 220 gathered in support of the Foundation’s mission to strengthen and transform the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
At our first in-person gala since 2019, we surpassed the fundraising goal, raising over $1.3 million. Proceeds support FIE and most notably the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund tuition assistance, which strives to make Catholic education more affordable for families.
Guests enjoyed a gourmet meal, fine wine donated by Paula and Tom McInerney, and a lively program including a live auction and a “raise the paddle” to support student scholarships, all while reconnecting, enjoying each other’s company and supporting a great cause.
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The 2022 Gala Honorees included Dr. Steven Cheeseman, Barbara and Peter Ripp, and Mutual of America Financial Group. |
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The evening began with members of the Children’s Choir at Saint Mary School in Ridgefield leading guests with their angelic voices from the cocktail reception to the grand ballroom. |
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The Gala Committee planned an exciting and colorful event to celebrate Catholic education and to raise support for Foundations in Education.
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Auctioneer Bobby D of Inspiring Hearts Fundraising drove up bidding as guests raised their paddles on a variety of fabulous items. |
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The highlight of the evening was the testimonial of student speaker and former Bishop’s Scholarship Fund recipient, Luka Silva. |
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Leaders of Tomorrow Reception |
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Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) represent students from Diocesan elementary schools identified by their principals as possessing strong academics, good character and leadership potential and have demonstrated financial need.
The annual breakfast reception brings together LOT students, their families and principals, and the donors who sponsor a portion of their tuition. Over 200 gathered in person this year on April 7 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons Restaurant in Stratford to celebrate the sixty-six Leaders across the Diocese of Bridgeport.
FIE donors who direct their giving to Leaders of Tomorrow help subsidize the cost of a Catholic elementary school tuition for one or more students by providing for each child’s tuition up to $6,000 per year, partial at $3,000 per year, or a quarter at $1,500 per year. As an investor in the education of a child, these special donors provide a life-enhancing gift and help transform the life of a student as well as their own through the gracious and selfless act of giving.
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My heart is filled with gratitude. Thank you for investing in the lives of these remarkable young women and men. We call them Leaders of Tomorrow but whether they realize it or not, they are also leaders of today.
-Bishop Frank J. Caggiano
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It is so special to be able to meet your sponsored student in person and to get to know them. A Catholic education is priceless in so many ways. My parents sacrificed to give me one of the greatest gifts they could and that makes me want to give back.
-Trustee & LOT Sponsor Andrea Maldon
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Thank you to the donors that have made this opportunity possible for us and our families. Your kind donations are appreciated by everyone here today. Without your support, I would not be attending St. Theresa School.
May God bless all of you.
- Sophie De Castro (LOT)
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FIE Honors Founding Trustees
at Annual Board Meeting
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Trustees met June 9th for their Annual meeting at Artisans Restaurant in Southport. The meeting, followed by dinner hosted by Board Chair Tom McInerney, covered annual business, as well as committee progress reports. Board members took this opportunity to recognize Founding Trustees for their commitment to our mission and in laying the groundwork upon which the strength of our organization stands. |
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Those recognized include:
Most Reverend Frank Caggiano, John Eppolito, R. Bradford Evans,
Michael Hanlon, Lawrence Kudlow, Ned Lautenbach, Daniel McCarthy,
Anne McCrory, Thomas McInerney, Dr. Julia McNamara, Bernard Reidy, Gerard Robilotti, Joseph Roxe, Robert Scinto and Michael Shea.
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BSF Application Deadline Extended |
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We are pleased to announce the application deadline for Bishop’s Scholarship Fund (BSF) tuition assistance has been extended for new K-8 families.
The mission of the BSF is to help families afford Catholic elementary school tuition in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Now in its 8th year, the fund has awarded over $17.5 million in assistance to thousands of students attending Diocesan schools in Fairfield County who demonstrate financial need.
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The deadline is being extended for a limited time, as funding permits, as a result of a continued surge of interest from public school families and to boost enrollment and encourage consideration of Catholic education. During the pandemic, many new families saw firsthand the difference Catholic schools make in the lives of students. According to the Office of the Superintendent, student enrollment increased by 11% this year, the highest in over a decade.
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What WILL Your Legacy Be?
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Foundations in Education, along with the Diocese of Bridgeport, has partnered with FreeWill, an organization aimed at seamlessly documenting your estate and end-of-life plans at no personal cost. The act of writing your legal will can feel daunting – but having a plan in place saves your loved ones from guessing your healthcare, funeral, burial and estate plan wishes.
FreeWill takes 20 minutes or less to complete and includes the opportunity to create a legally binding living will and financial power of attorney. You will also be able to select FIE as a beneficiary of your planned giving.
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As a Foundation of people helping people, we share your goal of supporting teachers, students and their families. The tuition assistance we provide enables student success, growth and character development in Catholic elementary schools, thereby providing the foundations for future success in high school, higher education, and life. By designating Foundations in Education, you can rest assured knowing your legacy will be fulfilled for future generations.
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Click here for a printable version of this newsletter.
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