Establishing a Legacy of Stewardship at St. Mark
Several years ago, Father Joseph Grimaldi began “a stewardship initiative” at St. Mark Parish in Sheepshead Bay, where parishioners were called to “share the treasure of Catholic Education” they had received. A few special events were held to raise monies for St. Mark School, including a dinner dance and golf outing. They also started an Advent tradition of setting up a 50-foot tall “angel tree”; in the first year, 50 parishioners sponsored angels that adorned the tree. Now, 150 donors give nearly $100,000 in support of Catholic Education at St. Mark’s by sponsoring an angel.
As support and funds grew in the parish, the team at St. Mark’s recognized an opportunity to move beyond the “short term needs and challenges and move towards meeting the long-term needs”, Mr. George Donnelly, head of the Parish Finance Committee, reflected; they felt called to steward their gifts. They turned to the Alive in Hope Foundation for guidance and direction. After several dinner meetings and conversations, they decided to establish the St. Mark Education Endowment Fund in the Alive in Hope Foundation.
The St. Mark Education Endowment Fund will provide scholarship assistance for students at St. Mark School, capital improvements, and instructional and program development. The fund became one of the 92 currently under the Foundation’s management, and one of 57 dedicated to Catholic Education. The Foundation continues to introduce new opportunities to market, cultivate and grow the endowment.
This year, St. Mark School will celebrate its 85th year of serving students and their families. With the help of the Alive in Hope Foundation, they are committed to growing their endowment (recently contributing an additional $50,000 to the fund), and expanding their outreach to alumni and parishioners. Through this partnership, St. Mark’s is ensuring a legacy of stewardship that will provide for the needs of the Parish community, especially in the area of Catholic Education, for many years to come.
Click here to contribute to the St. Mark Education Endowment Fund.
For more information on establishing an Endowment, please call Thomas Flood or Marion Boteju at 718-965-7375. |
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