The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) in the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, is embarking on a bold new initiative to secure its long-term future while expanding support for families seeking a Catholic education. This effort is set to transform the landscape of tuition assistance and ensure that Catholic education remains accessible for generations to come.
Historic $100 Million Capital Campaign for Sustainable Tuition Assistance
CEF has launched a $100 million capital campaign—the largest fundraising effort in the archdiocese’s history—to build a permanent endowment that will guarantee sustainable tuition support. Key details of the campaign include:
- Donor Commitments: Donors have pledged $80 million toward the $100 million target.
- Structured Giving Options: The campaign focuses on three core strategies:
- Annual Fund: Approximately $40 million earmarked for current tuition needs.
- Direct Endowment: Aiming for an additional $20 million.
- Deferred Intentions: An extra $20 million through donors’ estate plans.
- Strategic Importance: The campaign follows the failure of a state school choice ballot referendum in November 2024, underscoring CEF’s role as the sole provider of school choice in a state where government-funded programs are constitutionally prohibited.
At the 35th annual Salute to Catholic School Alumni Dinner, Louisville Business First reported Foundation President Richard Lechleiter stating,
“From our modest beginnings in 1990, this incredible event is now lifting the hopes and dreams of thousands of young Catholic school students and their families through the transformative gift of a Catholic education. We are truly humbled by this amazing result and thank God for its unprecedented success.”
Campaign Chair Joseph Dougherty, CEO of LPX Group, also commented,
“The campaign has three very important deliverables. First, we are aiming to provide tuition assistance to as many as 5,000 Catholic elementary students annually, significantly more than the 3,750 we assist today. Second, we’re seeking more tuition assistance funds for our nine Catholic high schools, eventually doubling the $650,000 we split among them each year. And third, our permanent endowment fund, now standing at $40 million today, must be doubled to provide the financial resources to carry on the foundation’s mission forever.”
Record-Breaking Tuition Assistance Awards for the 2024/2025 School Year
CEF’s efforts have resulted in record-breaking scholarship distribution:
- Unprecedented Funding: For the 2024/2025 school year, CEF awarded a record $8.3 million in tuition assistance.
- Wider Reach: Scholarships were granted to 3,750 students—marking a significant increase over the past five years.
- “The Answer is Yes” Initiative: Launched in 2014, this program ensures every qualifying family receives an award. For ten consecutive years, no eligible family has been turned away.
According to a report by the Catholic News Agency, Lechleiter reflected on his own background, remarking,
“I’m a Catholic school kid.”
The report also noted his view on the Foundation’s critical role in providing school choice in Kentucky, stating,
“We are school choice. We’re the only form of school choice around here, and we have to dramatically increase our funding because the state’s not going to do anything.”
Strengthening School Enrollment and Community Support
CEF’s support has had a profound impact on school enrollment and community vitality:
- Increased Enrollment: Financial aid from CEF has contributed to rising enrollment for four consecutive years, even as economic challenges persist.
- School Viability: Over the past decade, only one Catholic school has closed, demonstrating the effectiveness of sustained tuition assistance.
- Targeted Community Support: In neighborhoods served by schools like St. Rita Catholic School and St. Andrew Academy, over 90% of students receive aid—ensuring these schools remain open and thrive.
Building a Permanent Endowment for the Future
Looking ahead, CEF plans to build a permanent endowment by combining funds from the Foundation, parishes, schools, and donors. This comprehensive approach will secure long-term support and transform Catholic education in the region.
Learn More About the Catholic Education Foundation
By uniting donors, school administrators, and the broader community, the Catholic Education Foundation continues to be a beacon of hope for families seeking a life-changing Catholic education. For more detailed updates on CEF’s initiatives, fundraising milestones, and scholarship statistics, please visit www.ceflou.org.
