Strengthening Catholic Schools

Collaborator: Catholic Schools Capacity Building Initiative

9.4

Million Invested over 10 Years

27

SCHOOLS REACHED

25

COHORT 1 REVENUE INCREASE

7

COHORT 1 ENROLLMENT INCREASE

42

COHORT 2 REVENUE INCREASE

11

COHORT 2 ENROLLMENT INCREASE

Our signature 10-year, $9.2 million Catholic Education initiative launched in January 2009 with the goal of increasing business capacity, quality, and viability within two cohorts of Catholic elementary schools (27 schools in total) serving underresourced, inner-city populations in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This initiative funded the schools’ Directors of Marketing and Development tasked with 1) raising funds; 2) raising enrollment; and 3) building and supporting school Development and Advisory Boards.

Without access to quality education, a child growing up in poverty is more likely to continue living in poverty as an adult. LA Country’s inner-city Catholic education schools provide access to an excellent education for low-income children that can help break this cycle. As increasing numbers of LA’s Catholic schools struggle to keep their doors open, the children and families they serve face fewer educational options. Specialty Family Foundation is committed to empowering our communities’ Catholic schools to thrive along with the families they serve.

Published in 2019, our Catholic Education Impact Report details the history and results of our successful Capacity Building Initiative while informing our future focus for this unique collaboration. Read the report’s highlights here.