MERRILLVILLE – Though accustomed to the philanthropic spirit of the Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana, those who have benefited from, promoted or otherwise observed the generosity that the organization has directed to Diocese of Gary Schools were amazed by the announcement on June 12.
At the Lighthouse Restaurant, Big Shoulders officials announced before a packed conference room that included Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Bishop Robert J. McClory, a $150 million financial commitment from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. It was touted as the largest single financial donation to a U.S. K-12 Catholic school system.
In the two months since the announcement, diocesan schools administrators, faculty and support staff have been preparing for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. While Big Shoulders has continued to direct resources to promote teacher development and assist with classroom resources, many Catholic education stakeholders have expressed curiosity about the roll out of the historic donation.
Second year Superintendent of Catholic Schools Colleen Brewer said the diocese is in a good place to assess, set goals and then to make enhancements to the student learning experience, faculty development and compensation, and building maintenance.
“It’s exciting. We’re very blessed to be able to be in a position in which all of us are able to hope and dream,” she said.
Family support, parish investment, and a comprehensive state-backed school choice voucher program create a “positive outlook” for Catholic education in Northwest Indiana. “With all of those pieces coming together it’s what gives us such an amazing opportunity,” Brewer said.
The commitment to enhance faith-based education for more than 6,000 diocesan students necessitates a high level of responsibility to be “good stewards” of resources, according to Brewer.
“Members from Big Shoulders Fund and the Diocese of Gary are meeting regularly to analyze information, review our practices and to prioritize our supports and interventions,” she explained. “We’re doing that in consultation with the Dean and Barbara White Foundation as well.”
Brewer looks for more concrete plans to materialize after a year of assessment in which diocesan officials and philanthropic donors will “intentionally and strategically” craft a long-range plan for the 20 diocesan academic institutions.
The reception of such a significant financial gift prompts a new approach to campus management. Schools officials and Big Shoulders leaders both said they “just want to get it right.”
“Traditionally, Catholic schools have worked at a local, parish level, so this gift is meant to have us think on a more strategic, diocesan level,” Brewer said. “So, it will take some time to figure out where there are opportunities and what the current practices are to make good decisions.”
Dan Kozlowski, executive director of Big Shoulders Northwest Indiana, said the philanthropic organization’s staff doesn’t take their eyes off the ball, but instead focuses on continual improvement. Early this month, for example, he coordinated teacher professional development sessions.
“Not a day goes by that our team is not working with teachers in our schools to give them the tools and support that they need to do the work that they’re doing,” he explained.
But he knows much excitement has surrounded the $150 million gift. Like youngsters gathered on Christmas, many are ready to open their presents.
“We are coming together in the spirit of joy of this gift but also (with) a spirit of responsibility for our organization and constituents as well as for the families that we are serving now and in the future,” Kozlowski explained.
Such monetary gifts require “dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s” on legal paperwork. Then, the “bold ideas” raised in early discussions can start to take shape.
“We are continuing to map out how these new funds will be spent and how that’s going to look,” said Kozlowski. “We want to do everything we’re doing with great care and great responsibility because we know that it’s a great list (of wishes) that we’re going to be entering into with this (donation).”
Also announced in June was a diocesan pledge to boost its 20 schools through a plan to better compensate educators.
“I’m just as excited about kicking off the $50 million endowment for the diocese to help support or supplement the salaries for faculty and administration,” explained Brewer. “We’re working with the diocesan finance council to determine the next steps, looking for multiple sources of revenue to fund that.”
Gifts, the “fantastic” backing from the state’s school choice program and private investment will ensure a solid foundation for Catholic education. And Kozlowski reminded the faithful that the Big Shoulders Fund has a long-term commitment with those associated with diocesan schools.
“With the new gift and all the excitement around that, we still have an obligation from our prior (memorandum of understanding) with the diocese schools to continue to do the good work we’re doing,” said Kozlowski, concerning the promotion of high-quality, values-driven education.
Brewer believes that the entire diocesan family and their neighbors will prosper because of the efforts of many concerned individuals.
“(Big Shoulders and the White Family Foundation) have been building that relationship with us, and the trust,” Brewer said. “It’s a positive, professional and trusting relationship … we all know we’re doing what’s best for the Region and for the next generations.”
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory (lower left) gives a high-five to Beth White (second from right), trustee of Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, at the event announcing the 10-year commitment by the philanthropic organization to donate $150 million to Big Shoulders Fund, on June 12 at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake. In early August, officials from the diocese and Big Shoulders said they have been working on legal documents and crafting a long-range plan for the use of the historic gift within the 20 diocesan academic institutions. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)