Foundations in Education is the realization of the extraordinary vision of the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Fifth Bishop of Bridgeport. Begun as the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund in 2015, Foundations in Education was incorporated July 14, 2015 as a new not-for-profit foundation whose exclusive mission is to serve the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Foundations in Education is now governed by a lay Board of Trustees.
The creation of Foundations in Education Inc. represents a crucial milestone in Bishop Caggiano’s long term strategy to stabilize and improve Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic schools and provide a path for their sustained growth. In its first year, the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund distributed over $2.1 million worth of tuition assistance to nearly 1,600 students for the 2015-16 academic year. The Bishop’s Scholarship Fund passed from diocesan control to Foundations in Education in July 2016.
The goals of Foundations in Education include a commitment to raise significant funds for scholarship assistance for children, ensuring all families who wish to send their children to Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic schools of their choice are able to do so regardless of their financial situation. Foundations in Education is equally committed to providing innovation and leadership grants for our Catholic school teachers and administrators so as to promote professional development and guarantee an even brighter future for our Catholic Schools.
Bishop’s Scholarship Fund Awarded to Date:
Year | Amount Awarded | Number of Students |
2015/16 | $2,111,052 | 1,573 |
2016/17 | $2,240,793 | 1,255 |
2017/18 | $2,582,000 | 1,302 |
2018/19 | $2,540,250 | 1,380 |
2019/20 | $2,798,800 | 1,456 |
2020/21 | $2,705,053 | 1,276 |
2021/22 | $2,489,753 | 1,197 |
2022/23 | $2,714,062 | 1,199 |
2023/24 | $3,073,980 | 1,351 |
Foundations in Education launched the first Round of Proposals for Innovation and Leadership Grants for Diocese of Bridgeport teachers and administrators in the fall of 2017.
Innovation & Leadership Grants Awarded to Date:
2017/18 | $105,000 | 19 |
2018/19 | $125,000 | 26 |
2019/20 | $137,500 | 26 |
2020/21 | $140,000 | 810 |
2021/22 | $142,000 | 23 |
2022/23 | $121,010 | 21 |