The Patrons Program, a not-for-profit organization, is an adopt-a-school program that facilitates systemic changes in 33 inner-city Catholic elementary schools in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island.  Last year, the Patrons Program raised $9.4 million and directly impacted more than 12,000 students.

The Patrons Program recruits individuals who make significant financial contributions and donate their time to needy schools.  Patrons, as they are called, are paired with a school and are encouraged to become active members of the school’s Advisory Board, a diverse group of professionals dedicated to improving its school. 

Together the Patrons Program staff, Patrons, Advisory Boards and the school’s administrators work to improve any or all aspects of the school – from finances to academics to the physical facilities. Efficient tuition management, music and art programs and well designed playgrounds and libraries are just some of the results.  The Patrons Program is also able to leverage its Patrons’ involvement to attract further school support for its schools from foundations and corporations.

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Former Wall Street executives manage the Patrons Program.  They are responsible for maximizing the existing and potential outside financial support of Patrons Program schools by working closely with:

•School Patrons and Advisory Boards
•Principals and Pastors
•Leaders of educational and community programs and with foundation directors

All contributions that are sent to the Patrons Program go to the schools only after they have incurred the costs for an agreed upon program and/or initiative. Principals develop an annual funding plan outlining the desired use of Patron support that they present to their Patron and Advisory Board.  One hundred percent of Patron contributions go to the schools—Patrons Program operating expenses are funded separately.

The six-person team also works closely with Patrons and Advisory Board members to assist school leadership with finances and administration, capital improvements, fundraising events, scholarships, new programs, community relations and the marketing of each school.  These activities are integral to successful school management.   

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Each year, thirty thousand children in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island are educated in the inner-city Catholic elementary school system.  The Patrons Program works with 33 of its 86 inner-city elementary schools.  View PDF of our schools.

The parochial school system couples a solid academic program with a values-based education. Its schools offer strong academics in a nurturing environment that fosters integrity, confidence and independence.

Demographics:

Parents who send their children to Patrons Program schools are dedicated to their child’s education. Tuition is a huge financial sacrifice; many of our parents work as many as three jobs. They make this commitment because they are confident that inner-city parochial schools provide a safe environment and will give their children the skills to excel in life. They know that their children will not have a comparable experience in the public schools.

Can you imagine sending your child to a school without a library, playground, or after-school, music and art programs?

Inner-city schools operate on shoestring budgets because tuition is their main revenue source. They receive minimum financial support from outside sources.

For schools to provide any of the “extras,” outside funding is necessary. The Patrons Program works with a select group of elementary schools to give their students the programs and facilities that would be financially out of reach without Patron support.

The Patrons Program has raised more than $63 million over the last ten years from Patrons, Advisory Boards, and foundations. 

The Patrons Program has used its financial support to provide enrichment to schools in a number of ways including:

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Download our most recent newsletter.

Inner-City Scholarship Fund

www.innercitysf.org
Founded in 1971, Inner-City Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance and conducts academic enrichment programs for underprivileged youth at 108 Inner-City Schools in the Archdiocese of New York. Its mission is to bridge the gap between the tuition charged and the actual cost of educating each student attending its high-performing schools.

The Endowment for Inner-City Education

www.endowmentnyc.org
The mission of The Endowment for Inner-City Education is to provide a stable and permanent source of economic support for the inner-city schools and their students. The Endowment provides the schools with consistent annual support, as well as a buffer against unexpected needs or an economic downturn. Our goal is to raise a minimum $100 million endowment that would enable us to grant at least $5 million of support every year to the schools and their students. This substantial and consistent support would go a long way to securing the financial future of these schools that are providing such a critical service to the children of New York City.

The Archdiocese of New York

www.archny.org
The Archdiocese of New York encompasses ten southern counties of New York State, from New York Harbor to the foothills of the Catskills, and is home to more than 2.5 million Catholics.

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For more information about the Patrons Program or any of our programs, please contact us.

By Mail:
1011 First Avenue, Suite 1400
New York, NY  10022

By Fax:
(212) 753 5980

By Phone or Email:

Jill Kafka, Executive Director
(212) 371-1011 x3338
Jill.Kafka@archny.org 

Susan Zuckerman, Associate Director
(212) 371-1011 x3312
Susan.Zuckerman@archny.org

Kathy Riecks, Associate Director
(212) 371-1011 x3343
Kathy.Riecks@archny.org

Jennifer Doheny, Program Associate
(212) 371-1011 x3348
Jennifer.Doheny@archny.org

Lauren Hare, Program Associate
(212) 371-1011 x3342
Lauren.Hare@archny.org

Janelle Hengeveld, Administrative Assistant
(212) 371-1011 x3369
Janelle.Hengeveld@archny.org

Thank you for your interest in the Patrons Program. To be added to our mailing list or for other inquiries or request, please provide the information requested below and we will contact you shortly.

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