2025 Gala Honorees
February 21, 2025 | Foundations in Education | Media Mentions News
2025 marks Foundations in Education’s tenth year, and the May 1, 2025 Tenth Anniversary Gala is the culmination of a year-long celebration. Honorees for this special event are the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, visionary and founder of Foundations in Education Inc, and Thomas E. McInerney, former Board Chair and inspiring philanthropist. This dynamic duo are the very heart of Foundations in Education’s mission to provide tuition assistance so students may experience a Catholic education, and grants to teachers for innovation in their classrooms.
The evening’s program will be a celebration of Catholic education, honoring Bishop Frank, Tom McInerney, and the many donors and friends, who are instrumental to the organization’s extraordinary success in helping transform the lives of thousands of young children and families as well as hundreds of teachers.
Honoree and Brooklyn, NY native, Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, himself is a product of Catholic education. He was ordained to the priesthood in May 1987 and named Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn in June 2006. On September 19, 2013, Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano was installed as Fifth Bishop of Bridgeport . Less than two years later, his vision for a foundation to support Catholic education across the Diocese of Bridgeport was realized with the incorporation of Foundations in Education Inc on July 14, 2015.
Honoree, Foundations in Education founding Trustee and former Board Chair, and, too, a Brooklyn native, Thomas E. McInerney is the CEO and co-founder of Bluff Point Associates, a private equity firm based in Westport, Connecticut. Prior to Bluff Point, Tom was a general partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe for 24 years, and began his career at the American Stock Exchange. A graduate of St. John’s University, Mr. McInerney attended New York University Graduate School of Business. Tom served as a member of the board of trustees for St. John’s University for 13 years and chair for 5 years. In 2001, Mr. McInerney received an honorary doctorate of commercial science and the University Gold Medal, St. John’s highest alumnus award. He has served on numerous public and private company and non-profit boards, including the Institute for Catholic Schools and St. John’s Bread & Life, which he is credited with establishing. Tom is a founding Trustee with Foundations in Education and has been instrumental in bringing Bishop Frank’s vision to life.
The Tenth Anniversary Gala will be held at Woodway Country Club in Darien, Connecticut. Proceeds from the Gala benefit Foundations in Education in its mission to provide tuition assistance so families can choose Catholic schools, and innovation and leadership grants for teachers.
To sponsor the Gala, recognize our Honorees or to learn how you may support Foundations in Education, click here or contact Emily Carriero at emily@foundationsineducation.org.
If you wish to volunteer with the May 1st Gala, please call Emily at 203-416-1671.