"I am very grateful for the work of the Catholic Education Foundation. Without its help, Catholic schools would be out of reach for many families."
The Catholic Education Foundation provides access to education for at-risk students at the lowest poverty levels. By helping these children and their families with tuition assistance scholarships, we are transforming their lives with opportunities for an exceptional K-12 Catholic education where academic rigor, faith and social support are prioritized.
Our 25-Year History
In 1997, the Catholic Education Foundation, formerly the Gardner Institute, was established to support Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and continue the legacy of Rev. Monsignor Henry Gardner, the first superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese.
Many schools were struggling and Catholic education was becoming less accessible to families most in need.
“Catholic education can’t just be for the affluent,” said Tom Zarda.
Concerned by what they were seeing in the Archdiocese, Catholic families including the Zardas, the Henrys, and the Mulvanys, along with business leaders John Menghini, Mark Ledom, and Leonard McKinzie had a vision to change the status quo through the Catholic Education Foundation and make it possible for any family to receive a Catholic education, regardless of their financial means.
Through the generosity of donors and the great performance of our Catholic schools, the Catholic Education Foundation grew to have a tremendous impact on students, schools and communities throughout the Archdiocese.
Today, the Foundation offers three scholarship programs and for the 2022-’23 school year, is poised to:
- provide $4 million in scholarships
- support nearly 1,800 students
- partner with 23 schools in northeast Kansas, with the highest percentage of students living at or below the poverty level.
Thanks to the leadership of our founders, for 25 years, the Catholic Education Foundation has led the way for thousands of students of all backgrounds to experience the rigorous academics, faith formation and community support that Catholic schools deliver.