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Fulcrum Presents at National Catholic Development Conference
Oct 2, 2006 Chicago - The Fulcrum Foundation is sharing its story to a national audience. Today, Rev. Stephen Rowan, Chair of the Fulcrum Foundation, and Mr. Joe Womac, Executive Director presented Built to Last, Lessons Learned at the Fulcrum Foundation at the 38th annual National Catholic Development Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Womac and Rowan presented Fulcrum’s comprehensive plan for keeping schools affordable, open, and excellent. Of special interest to conference attendees were the principal features of Fulcrum's organization, especially its status as a 501(c)3 corporation, the structure of its Board and committees (Development, Finance, and Distribution), its Manual of Operations, containing policies and procedures, and its comprehensive communication plan.
The talk was an invited presentation, keyed to dioceses around the country that are thinking of starting foundations like Fulcrum to support Catholic causes, including schools.
The presentation outlined that Catholic schools are excellent according to three markers identified by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: rigor, relevance, and relationships; these thrive in Catholic schools thanks to the nourishing matrix of religion, faith, and character formation.
Excellent as they are, Catholic schools face challenges nationally because of rising salaries and other costs of education. As tuition rises to meet these costs, families that want a Catholic education for their children cannot afford it. With lower enrollments, schools experience deficits, which, if deferred, place an intolerable debt on schools’ budgets.
Fulcrum will meet these challenges through two endowments, one for tuition assistance and the other for schools in need. These will be raised by a $40 million capital campaign now in progress. Tuition assistance will go directly to families on the basis of need; grants to schools will be allocated according to criteria of need. A school's level of need is determined through an application process that is administered by the Foundation's Distribution Committee. Fulcrum's successful "Celebration of Light" and other annual fundraising programs will supplement revenues from endowments and pay for operations.
Womac provided conference participants who came to the talk with a disk containing the PowerPoint, the Manual of Operations, and other documents. Expressing her appreciation, Sister Georgette Lehmuth, OSF, conference president, said, "Our attendees will take countless ideas home to their offices to help fulfill the missions of their organizations. Thank you for presenting at our 2006 conference." |
