The financial crisis for our Catholic elementary schools has the potential to become greater. Up until now our regional schools (those without a parish) have been on their own financially. This occurred when the Diocese of Buffalo could no longer provide financial support to the schools due to the Bankruptcy. Yet schools within a parish continued to enjoy financial support from their parish. Now we learn that parish schools face the same financial fate as our regional schools. Parishes will soon learn what their share of the bankruptcy settlement that they will be responsible for paying. This means that parishes with elementary schools will have to make a very difficult financial decision. How will they make their bankruptcy settlement payment while at the same time contribute to the financial needs of their parish schools?
Parish and Regional Catholic elementary schools are not without resources. Tuition, donations, scholarships, fundraisers and foundations like the Bison Fund and the Foundation for the Diocese of Buffalo all help to support our schools-but it is not enough. Most schools struggle annually with closing budget gaps. These gaps can range from $100,000 to as much as $750,000 or more each year. Now that parish schools may not be able to count on their parish for financial support the need is even greater!
The Foundation for WNY Catholic Schools mission is to help our schools close these budget gaps. And now the mission is more urgent than ever. This foundation is not normally a fundraising organization. We are working to create an “income” for the schools by developing a business portfolio investing in businesses and creating businesses whose profits are dedicated to our schools. However, we must this year count on those who have benefited from a Catholic education or believe in the value of Catholic education to step forward to help. Learn who were are and how we are helping our schools or donate. Help us help our schools-all of our schools regional or parish.
