Author: Dreams

This historic investment will significantly expand Big Shoulders Fund’s support for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Gary.

June 12, 2024 (Cedar Lake, IN) – The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, a non-profit, private foundation, has announced it is donating $150 million to Big Shoulders Fund over the next 10 years. The funds will be invested in initiatives that aim to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Gary. This is the largest single investment in PreK-12 Catholic education in history, signifying strong support and belief in the efficacy and impact of Indiana educational support systems, like the Indiana Choice Scholarship.

“We know that access to high-quality, values-based education is as important as anything we can support, and our efforts would not be complete without a deep commitment to the Catholic schools that have been a critical part of the fabric of Northwest Indiana for decades,” said Executive Director of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation Bill Hanna. “Big Shoulders Fund and the Diocese of Gary have developed an effective partnership over the last five years that led us to this moment. Now is the time to complement other advancements in Northwest Indiana at scale by providing significant resources to develop the nation’s most effective network of outcomes-based Catholic schools. It is this seasoned team from across the Region that will see to it that Northwest Indiana continues to build a brighter future for the people here today, and those yet to come.”

“The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation has been a long time and proud supporter of Big Shoulders Fund, and we are thrilled to be able to expand our support and ensure that Northwest Indiana families are able to attain a high-quality, values-based education,” said Foundation Trustee Beth White. “My late husband, Bruce, and I share the belief that education is an equalizer that is paramount to making the world a better place. With Big Shoulders we have been working together to make a meaningful impact in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Our partners are now poised to do even more in the place we consider home. As we move forward, it is the educational achievement and fulfillment of dreams of every student who walks through the doors of a Big Shoulders school that will truly define the success of this initiative.”

“Receiving a great education is the surest long-term way to lift up society one student at a time,” said Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “I am so encouraged by this vote of confidence in Indiana education and am beyond thankful for this life changing investment. This remarkable donation from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation will help change the course for communities through the dedication and hard work of Big Shoulders Fund with the Catholic Diocese of Gary and, more broadly, throughout the Region.”

Big Shoulders Fund will direct this investment in support of a high-quality, data-driven, outcome-focused network of Catholic schools that prioritizes the educational needs of all students within the diocese to boost college and career outcomes.

“I’m in awe of the support from the community and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation,” said CEO of Big Shoulders Fund Josh Hale. “Leveraging the network, we’ll build upon the great relationship we have with the Diocese of Gary to drive a high-quality, data-driven education model that delivers strong student outcomes. We’re extremely excited about the doors this investment will open, such as the creation and enhancement of curriculum, advanced professional development and growth opportunities for teachers and school leadership, and, of course, valuable support services for our students.”

The investment will focus primarily on serving students and communities with the greatest amount of economic and educational need in Northwest Indiana, regardless of race and ethnicity, sex, religious affiliation, or financial ability. With a focus on outcomes, the investment will support initiatives that focus on curriculum development, teacher training, leadership development, infrastructure improvements, and student support services, as well as new governance models, management structures, and assistance with enrollment and tuition management.

“This is truly a historic and transformative commitment from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, the largest single investment ever given for PreK-12 Catholic education,” said Bishop Robert J. McClory. “On behalf of all families who will benefit from this commitment, we are thankful and filled with great hope for the future. This is an enormous vote of confidence for Catholic education and the value of our individual schools. I am honored by the continued commitment of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund, and our community. This gift creates an opportunity for the Diocese of Gary to fulfill our mission even more vibrantly to support families and enhance our schools to become an extraordinary model of Catholic school education. We are eager to go forward and experience the impact this commitment and collaboration will have on the lives of our students, their families, our teachers, and our communities.”

“We have an unwavering commitment to providing a values-based, performance-driven education for all students enrolled at Catholic schools in Northwest Indiana,” said Diocese of Gary Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dr. Colleen Brewer. “We take a holistic approach to education that provides social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and cultural development designed to help children become compassionate contributing leaders in their communities. This enhanced relationship with Big Shoulders Fund will exponentially impact our Catholic schools’ ability to collaborate with families to nurture students and help them excel in their education. We anticipate that this commitment will strengthen the Catholic schools in Northwest Indiana, empowering them to succeed in measurable ways including academic performance, student growth, and graduation rates.”

Through the resources and funding provided by the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund will work to provide accessible, transformative PreK-12 education through at least 20 schools across four counties in Northwest Indiana. The gift is exclusively for the purpose and use of Northwest Indiana schools in the Diocese of Gary Catholic school network.

“Thanks to this tremendously generous gift and the continued dedication of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund has a unique opportunity to carry out its mission to educate students, strengthen families, and preserve communities by providing all children with access to a quality, values-based education,” said Executive Director of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana Dan Kozlowski. “With the excellent partnership of the Diocese of Gary at our side, this gift will transform the education landscape in Northwest Indiana to positively impact our communities for generations. This is an incredibly exciting moment.”

The Diocese of Gary also announced that it will establish an independent endowment within The Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent corporation by the end of the 2024 calendar year. This commitment of the Diocese of Gary is in addition to and distinct from the donation of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. The goal is for the invested endowment funds to grow exponentially up to $50 million over the next 15 years and be used to supplement the compensation of principals, teachers, and staff within the Diocese of Gary Catholic schools.

On the eve of its 100th Anniversary, the school receives long-term financial and
operational support to remain open

March 6, 2024 (CHICAGO) – Today, St. Frances of Rome School, Big Shoulders Fund, and the Archdiocese of Chicago announced that St. Frances of Rome School will remain open and join the Big Shoulders Fund Plus network. Following the January 18, 2024, announcement that St. Frances of Rome would close, anonymous donors to Big Shoulders Fund offered a gift to help keep the school open. This pledge fostered intensive collaboration between the St. Frances of Rome School community, Big Shoulders Fund, and the Archdiocese of Chicago and made it possible to find a path to keep the school open.

“St. Frances of Rome School has been an important part of the fabric of the Cicero community for 100 years,” said St. Frances of Rome School Principal Phil Jackson. “We’re moved by the overwhelming generosity of Big Shoulders Fund and other donors to keep our school open. Joining the Big Shoulders community, St. Frances of Rome is ready to embark on its next 100 years.”

The news was shared with students, staff, and families, on Wednesday, March 6, just days before St. Frances of Rome School is scheduled to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The lead gift from the anonymous donors will fill immediate needs and by joining the Big Shoulders Fund Plus network, the school will have access to operational support for at least the next five years.

“Big Shoulders Fund is fortunate to have built a robust network and support system, and it never ceases to inspire me when I see so many people rally to save a school,” said Big Shoulders Fund President and Chief Executive Officer Josh Hale. “With this addition of St. Frances of Rome School, Big Shoulders is excited to expand to Cicero. We look forward to working in partnership with the local community and we invite others to join us in this important work.” Big Shoulders Fund has also announced that it will be offering scholarships to St. Odilo students who would like to continue their education next year at a local Catholic school.

Launched in 2020 with 30 schools, Big Shoulders Fund Plus is a 10-year, nearly $100 million commitment that builds on the long-standing relationships and support that Big Shoulders Fund has provided to its highest-need schools. With the addition of St. Frances of Rome and five years remaining on the agreement, the initiative now includes 38 schools, offering increased operational support to best meet the needs of students, families, and the broader community. The remarkable and continued growth of the Big Shoulders Fund Plus initiative reaffirms the position of Big Shoulders Fund as a catalyst for change, shaping the future of education and opening doors of opportunity for all.

“All communities are stronger when families can choose a school that best meets their children’s needs. Our partnership with Big Shoulders Fund strengthens dozens of communities throughout the Chicago area and we are delighted to add Cicero and St. Frances of Rome to that list,” said Greg Richmond, Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Big Shoulders Fund Plus boasts a powerful track record of providing comprehensive support to Plus schools, empowering them to deliver quality education while fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. In 2021 and 2023, Curriculum Associates conducted a large-scale study to compare the performance of Illinois students taking the iReady Diagnostic assessment with public school students taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and found a high correlation between the two tests. In English Language Arts, 44% of Plus students – 90% of whom are low-income – met expectations on iReady compared to 21% for Illinois low-income students and 19% for Chicago Public School (CPS) low-income students on IAR. In math, 30% of Plus students met expectations compared to 13% of Illinois low-income students and 11% of CPS low-income students. Big Shoulders Fund remains most focused on the trajectory of students to and through college and career to become active, engaged citizens. To that end, 80% of scholars matriculate to college and students earn a degree at two times the national average. Even more, Latino and Black scholars graduate at three-times and four-times their counterparts, respectively, and graduates go on to vote, contribute, and participate at greater rates than local and national outcomes.

A central piece to keeping St. Frances of Rome School open is its integration into the Big Shoulders Fund Plus network of schools.

October 12, 2023

Five years ago, the Illinois Invest in Kids Act was enacted to ensure that children from underrepresented
minority communities and low-income households could access the school that best
meets their needs by removing financial barriers. Since that time, thousands and thousands of
children have accessed their best-fit school thanks to a tax credit scholarship.
With the Invest in Kids Act now up for renewal, we have the opportunity to build on its successes
and make the Tax Credit Scholarship Program even more impactful moving forward. Our broad
coalition of families, schools, and community leaders have raised their voices about this program’s
importance and the need to see it continue for generations of students. As a coalition, we support
policy changes that would create stability for already participating families by building onto the
existing Tax Credit Scholarship Program and strengthening the program’s support for the most
vulnerable students.

Lawmakers are listening and are seeking ways to support the very children the Tax Credit
Scholarship Program was intended to serve, as well as narrow the program’s focus onto those
families and kids who face the greatest disadvantages. The Invest in Kids Act was designed to
provide increased support for families with greater economic need, students with unique learning
needs, and economically challenged communities. Importantly, however, disproportionately
impacted neighborhoods are most often those Black and Latino communities call home. While
over 50 percent of current tax credit scholarship recipients are currently Black and Latino
children from low-income households, policy changes could increase their participation
significantly. If legislators take action, these policy changes could substantially increase access to
best-fit private schools for under-represented minority groups through a life-changing tax credit
scholarship.

We are committed to ensuring the Tax Credit Scholarship Program remains a constant and
steady lifeline for the tens of thousands of children from under-represented and under-resourced
communities who rely on it. Further, we are ready to reaffirm on our commitment by advancing
policy changes that provide additional opportunities to communities that are all too often denied
quality options.

Toward that end, and in direct response to concerns raised by legislators, we have developed a
revised policy that would increase scholarship opportunities for families in under-represented
communities in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. If enacted by the legislature, this
policy change would achieve the coalition’s goals, importantly keeping the Tax Credit Scholarship
Program alive and helping even more students. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing the
framework of this policy and related language. We look forward to further discussing the important
impacts of this policy moving forward.

Commitment Protects the Long-Term Vitality of 32 Chicago Schools, Collectively Serving Nearly 6,000 Students

August 30, 2022 (CHICAGO) – Big Shoulders Fund today announced the addition of two schools from its network, St. Francis de Sales High School and St. Sabina Academy, to the Big Shoulders Fund Plus initiative. As Big Shoulders Fund Plus schools, St. Francis de Sales High School and St. Sabina Academy will join 30 other high-need schools in receiving additional academic and operational support, aimed at preserving their long-term vitality.

In 2020, Big Shoulders Fund made an unprecedented 10-year, $70M commitment to 30 of its highest-need schools, enabling these schools to remain open and viable and to continue enriching the local communities that they serve. In just over one year, Big Shoulders Fund has raised more than $58M of that commitment, and is now inviting the broader public to join in this vision and invest in Chicago’s children and communities.

“Big Shoulders Fund Plus schools, including recently added St. Francis de Sales and St. Sabina Academy, are located in neighborhoods and communities that have suffered from years of underinvestment,” said Josh Hale, President and CEO of Big Shoulders Fund. “Despite this, the children in these neighborhoods are rich in talent, passion, hard work and hope. Ensuring that these students continue to have access to a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment is critical to providing a path that will enable these children to grow up to be productive, positive forces in their communities and in the world.”

As part of this agreement, which was made with the Archdiocese of Chicago, Big Shoulders Fund assumed a 51 percent financial stake in these schools and has taken on more direct management, working closely with principals and school leaders to help them to manage their schools, plan strategically and work towards specific academic, enrollment, developmental and financial goals, as well as create new professional development opportunities and an extended career path for school leaders. This increased operational management support has already translated into significant outcomes. In just the last year alone, the 30 Big Shoulders Fund Plus schools saw an enrollment increase of 8%, with pre-kindergarten enrollment increasing 28%.

“Working hand in hand with Big Shoulders Fund, I have seen what a difference their commitment to our school, staff, students and families makes to both St. Francis de Sales High School and the Southeast Side community,” said Roni-Nicole Facen, Principal and CEO of St. Francis de Sales High School. “Through the launch of our work study program, professional development for staff, grants for academic initiatives, scholarship support, marketing and development resources and more, Big Shoulders Fund is a true partner. We are excited for our future and to formalize our work together by joining the cadre of Big Shoulders Fund Plus schools!”

Principal Tiffany Brown of St. Sabina Academy said, “We are thrilled to have become a part of the exceptional Big Shoulder Fund Plus network and we look forward to our partnership and the support that we will receive as we work together to provide a rich educational experience for children. St. Sabina Academy has been in the Auburn Gresham community for over 100 years, providing a family atmosphere where students and families are known, safe, loved, and nurtured. This partnership not only helps to ensure that we can continue that work, it will also enable us to make an even bigger impact on the families who call this neighborhood home.”

“Big Shoulders Fund Plus not only ensures that these schools remain open for the students and families they serve, but allows for the schools to continue to provide critical stability and support to the broader community,” added Hale. “Our vision is that the Big Shoulders Fund Plus initiative is the model for the future, with capacity to incorporate more schools and impact more children.”

Individuals interested in learning more or donating can visit bigshouldersfund.org/donate.