Foundations in Education Celebrates 6 Years
July 14, 2021 | Foundations in Education | General News
In celebration of its six-year anniversary, Foundations in Education (FIE) wishes to thank donors and friends for their support in advancing its mission of transforming lives through Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
FIE began life as the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund, an initiative created by The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, which helped make it possible for more than 1,500 students to attend Diocesan Catholic elementary schools in its first year.
Embarking on its seventh year, FIE has awarded more than $18 million in tuition assistance to thousands of students and families who value Catholic education and more than $500,000 in Innovation and Leadership Grants to Catholic School educators.
“We owe such a debt of gratitude to Bishop Caggiano for his courage and vision to launch what is now a beacon of hope for thousands of young Catholic school students, their families, and their teachers,” shared FIE Executive Director, Holly Doherty-Lemoine, CFRE.
At its Inaugural Reception, Bishop Caggiano addressed attendees: “This is an historic event in the life of the diocese. You are now partners in a venture that will enable our schools to remain on the cutting edge of innovation in the 21st century.”
On July 14, 2015, Foundations in Education became incorporated as a separate 501(c)3 organization which raises funds throughout the year to provide tuition assistance to Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary schools to families in need through the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund, and to provide funding for competitive grants for teachers and administrators for innovation in education and professional development in leadership.
The founding Board of Trustees included Bishop Caggiano, Robert Dilenschneider, 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, and Robert Scinto.
Joining the Board of Trustees since then are David Cappiello, George Coleman, Lisa Ferraro Martino, Timothy FitzPatrick, Leslie Lopez, Andrea Maldon, Michele Mitola, Joseph Purcell, Henry Rondon, Michael Shea, Jennifer St. Victor-de Pinho, Barbara Ripp, and Sr. Mary Grace Walsh.
At the recent Annual Board Meeting, Bishop Frank thanked the Chair, Executive Director, and all the members of the Board for their leadership. “Thank you for your tremendous work in stewardship of the Foundation. In all the years we have worked together, this is one of the shining examples of what we can do together to foster the mission of the church.”
Board Chair Tom McInerney also acknowledged fellow board members for their continuous support of students and teachers, “The enormity of our work has never been more important than it is today.”
“We accomplished a lot in our first six years,” commented Lemoine. “Now as the foundation looks to the future, the focus is on continuing to develop the extraordinary Board of Trustees and growing long-term sustainable funding.”
“Projecting ahead six years from now, with the rising cost of Catholic education, we would like to grow our endowment significantly to assure a Catholic Education is available to all who seek it for their children,” Lemoine added.
Foundations in Education is embarking on a strategic planning process to help determine how they can best serve their constituencies in the future. The results will guide the foundation board, staff and donors to best serve schools and their communities in the future.
To learn more about Foundations in Education, please visit www.foundationsineducation.org.