Dan Donnelly Foundation

Many people often ask where the money raised at SPAuction actually ends up.  The answer is The Dan Donnelly Education Foundation.  The St. Paul the Apostle Education Foundation was started in 1994, recognizing that Parochial schools faced a serious reality that in order to prosper into the future, they must be supported by the income of a foundation.  The assets of such a foundation must reach levels of 2 times the school’s annual operating cost to be effective.  At St. Paul's this translates to a balance requirement of $1.9 Million.

In 2002 the name of the Foundation was changed to reflect the contribution made to Catholic education by Daniel J. Donnelly.  For twenty-three years he dedicated himself to the mission of Catholic education here at St. Paul the Apostle.  Our Foundation honors Dan’s memory and his love for our school.

The simple Mission of the Foundation is to help the school continue to provide a quality Catholic education and to keep the financial obligations at a level such that any parent who desires to give their child such an education can afford to do so.  Over the past several years, The Daniel J. Donnelly Education Foundation has on average made direct investments in our School families of approximately $30,000 - $35,000 per year in tuition assistance.

The Purpose of the Foundation

While fiscal priorities change from year to year, contributions from the Foundation are generally used to support the following initiatives:

• Tuition assistance to St. Paul parish families who wish to send their children to St. Paul the Apostle School but are unable to pay the entire cost of tuition.
• Containing tuition cost for all St. Paul the apostle School students by assisting the school in meeting its operating expenses.
• Funding programs designed for continuous Improvement of the faculty and student body as recommended by the school board.

Where does the money come from?

Money comes into the Foundation in these ways:

• Parish Wide Fund raising events such as SPAuction.
• Donations from our annual appeal and monetary gifts during the year
• Interest and dividend income on the Foundation Assets

Additional information on the Daniel J. Donnelly Education Foundation is available at the St. Paul Parish office.

A Prayer for Students

                                By Dan Donnelly – 1998

Blessed are you Lord who has created a wide and wonderful world
in which to learn.  We ask your blessings on our students.
We ask you, Lord, to be their ever near companion and spread the road
before them with beauty, adventure and good grades.  May the same
Road be free of harm and evil.  May the Lord keep all students in his
Care, fill them with peace, and bless them with wonder and intelligence.

                                                Amen.