Michael Morrisey is the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation. You can reach him at (913) 647-0383 or send an email to him at: mmorrisey@archkck.org.
by Michael Morrisey
I need to let you know upfront that this is one of my more serious articles . . . seriously!
This article is written to all of our Catholic Education Foundation supporters.
Thank you for changing the lives of thousands of children that need your help. You are helping make a difference not just for these students, but for their families and the communities they live in. We hear from CEF parents almost daily, thanking us for providing scholarships for their children. Further, they provide insight on why it is important to have their kids in our Catholic schools.
For example, they pray with their classmates, they learn about Jesus, the teachers care, our schools provide a safe learning environment, they receive the sacraments, etc. It is truly remarkable work that you make possible.
Just as we have an obligation to the children we serve, we also have an obligation to you, our donors. Without your support, it would be impossible to change lives each and every day through Catholic education. We want you to be assured that your dollars are being well spent. Additionally, we want to demonstrate our belief that changing lives through Catholic education is a passion shared by many other individuals just like you.
When you entrust your resources to our foundation, we make a commitment to you that this money will benefit the most students possible, currently 1,248 to be exact. One way we look at this is by what percent of dollars raised go directly to providing scholarships for children in need. The benchmark recommended by many is 60 percent goes to the program; at CEF, it is 100 percent. You ask: “How can that be?”
The archdiocese covers our overhead expenses. It is important to the CEF board that every dollar possible be used to help less fortunate families and children. That is why our board members serve.
It has been written that over 98 percent of Catholic high school seniors go on to higher education. That number includes your CEF kids. However, I suggest to you that if your support was not available, over 80 percent of the CEF students would not be attending one of our grade schools or high school.
So, you should be proud! Please know that you are assisting in positively changing the lives of children who come from less fortunate backgrounds. You are helping shape the future of our Catholic Church as well as our often challenging society.
Simply put, you are helping kids that need help. Your caring about our CEF families is much appreciated.
That is pretty cool stuff — seriously!
