|
The
Diocese of Bridgeport is awarded
a $750,000 grant from the
Catholic Alumni Partnership
to build support for
Catholic elementary schools
BRIDGEPORT, September 1, 2009 –
The Diocese of Bridgeport has been awarded a $750,000 grant
through the Catholic
Alumni Partnership to better track alumni and build additional
support for Catholic schools throughout Fairfield County.
More than 300 Catholic elementary schools from seven archdioceses
in New York and Connecticut are participating in the CAP initiative
designed to enhance resources and secure the future of Catholic
elementary schools.
 The funds, to be allocated over a two-year period, will be used
to expand the school’s fund raising efforts by covering the cost
of mailing, communications, databases and research.
Dr. Margaret Dames, Superintendent
of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, stated that,
"Despite their strong history of academic excellence and alumni
support, Catholic schools face tremendous economic challenges.
CAP will help us to take a major leap forward. It’s a wonderful
opportunity to celebrate Catholic education while building support."
The grant will cover the cost to hire professionals
to coordinate a fund raising and mailing campaign for all Catholic
schools. All of the money raised by the effort to contact alumni
will go directly to the schools.
The Diocese sponsors 33 elementary schools in cities and suburbs
across Fairfield County. The system also includes three high
schools, bringing the total enrollment to over 11,000 students.
Jennifer Mitchell, Director of Development and Communications,
said that over the next 17 months the Diocese expects to reach
approximately 100,000 alumni through a series of multiple mailings.
These mailings will reconnect the alumni with their alma maters
and ask for their support.
The effort will involve transferring existing data and gathering
new names of alumni from each of the schools. Working with Harris
Connect, the schools will be able to expand and update all information
including new addresses and married names.
In the Diocese of Bridgeport under the leadership
of Bishop Lori, there has been a "Renaissance of Catholic Education."
New technology has been purchased and implemented. Smart boards
and laptop computers can be found being used by our students.
Our Catholic schools in Fairfield County have earned academic
distinction.
Forty-four percent of our schools meet the criteria
as Blue Ribbon Schools of National Excellence. Our students in
grades 3-8 at our Blue Ribbon Schools rank in the top 10% of
schools in the country in reading and math. Our students are
excelling as we create and we preserve faith based education
for a new generation.
 The communication and fundraising campaign is modeled on college
and university development programs that have led to a significant
growth in resources for those institutions.
"No group of people
understand more the value and importance of a Catholic education
than our alumni. They are our strongest advocates and the foundation
for all our support. In the coming months, we hope to expand
their opportunity to give by developing a communications’ strategy
that taps into their enthusiasm and resources," Dr. Dames explained.
One of the benefits of the program is the opportunity
it affords the alumni to reconnect with former friends and stay
in touch with classmates. A recent survey confirmed that 81%
of alumni would make a contribution to their former school or
would consider one in the future. The Catholic Alumni Partnership
will allow the alumni to show how deeply committed they are to
preserving Catholic education.
The Dioceses participating in the CAP initiative include the
Diocese of Bridgeport, Diocese of Brooklyn, the Diocese of Buffalo,
the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Archdiocese of New York, the
Diocese of Norwich and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Changing Our World, a leading international fund raising and
philanthropy-consulting firm based in New York, is coordinating
the funding raising effort for The Catholic Alumni Partnership.
The Diocese of Bridgeport sponsors 34 elementary and 5 high schools
serving students from pre-K through grade 12. Over 98 % of all
graduates go on to higher education and standardized tests show
that elementary students consistently exceed national averages
in reading and math.
For more information, please visit the new
Bridgeport Diocesan Catholic schools website at www.CatholicSchoolsFairfieldCounty.com.
-30- |
