CCF-LA News | May 15, 2024 | |
Catholic School Education: The Value Proposition | |
|
Scholarship Season Has Arrived!
In May, we typically reserve this column for celebrations around Mary, Mother’s Day, and First Holy Communions across our archdiocese. This May, our column is all about scholarships at CCF-LA—these are the grants that last a lifetime and live on in the generations that follow.
Is there a better value proposition for education today than in a K–12 Catholic school? Often, our schools have the highest continuation and graduation rates of any of their neighborhood schools. Catholic school graduates have learned in a faith-filled environment with a focus on character and spiritual development, a commitment to serving and helping others, and understanding the importance of hard work and studying—these are the basic skills needed for a successful and fulfilled life.
Beginning in March, we work diligently through May to make scholarship distributions so that the recipients will know they are funded for the next school year. We administer 29 specifically named and dedicated scholarship funds and another 9 funds that are partially dedicated to scholarships for Catholic school students. These are all funds we own, manage, and invest in on behalf of our clients. It is our responsibility to make sure that every dollar available is granted for this purpose.
We also manage the investments for 27 Agency Fund accounts that are administered by our clients specifically for scholarships. That means 65 of our client accounts, or about 20% of the total accounts we manage, are directed to students who want to learn in a Catholic school.
| |
|
By now, after nine years of writing this column, you know that my Catholic school education spans Catholic elementary school (Presentation Sisters), high school (Sisters of Notre Dame), and university (Jesuits). You have also learned how much I appreciate my parents for making that possible for me. It’s important to pay this investment forward for my family and for the thousands of students that are receiving a Catholic school education because of our work at CCF-LA.
| |
|
Kathy Anderson
President and Executive Director
| | |
|
|
John Shea Memorial Fund
This month, CCF-LA funded the inaugural grants under the John F. Shea Memorial Fund for Catholic Education. This fund benefits students receiving tuition support from the Catholic Education Foundation and eight students were selected from their Save Our Students program These scholarships will support high school students that are particularly vulnerable due to their personal and economic circumstances. The SOS program has a very successful 30-year track record, with these students achieving extraordinary graduation and college acceptance rates.
| | |
Our Seminarian Intern Program
On May 17th, CCF-LA's seminarian intern, Cesar Sepulveda, graduates from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy with an emphasis in religious studies and a minor in psychology. "I'll be completing my time at Queen of Angels Center for Priestly Formation, and I'm thrilled to share that I've been accepted to continue my priestly formation at St. John’s Seminary. I will commence my theology studies there in August, with the hope of being ordained a priest in five years."
Blessings,
Cesar
| | |
|
Enriching Futures: The Joy of Scholarship Administration at CCF-LA
As we celebrate the abundance of May, from honoring Mary to the joys of Mother’s Day, we’re reminded of the enduring impact of education and the importance of scholarships. At CCF-LA, we find immense joy in managing the scholarship-granting process, knowing that each grant we distribute paves the way for generations to come. Through our charitable funds, we ensure that students have the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing Catholic school environment, setting the stage for lifelong success and fulfillment. It’s a privilege to play a role in shaping the future of countless individuals through education.
"Managing scholarships at CCF-LA isn't just about distributing funds; it's about investing in futures, nurturing faith, and empowering generations."
| |
|
Janette Paz
Manager of Client Services
| |
|
Welcome New Accounts
John and Sandy Schnieders Charitable Fund
Ferry Grandchildren Legacy Fund - James Longley
Bishop Matthew Elshoff Charitable Fund
Adan Vences Memorial Scholarship Fund
Anonymous Fund
Father James M. Anguiano Charitable Fund
Ferry Grandchildren Legacy Fund - Faith Ferry
Bannister Scholarship Fund for St. Cornelious School
Bishop Dave Faith For Future Generation Fund
St. Victor's Music Guild
Christ the King Ministries Fund
The Dr. Tirso del Junco Charitable Fund
| |
|
William Cruz
Manager of Business Development
| |
CCF-LA welcomes our Manager of Business Development William Cruz
William is responsible for developing and growing client relationships and working closely with parishes and schools.
“Joining CCF-LA was a wonderful opportunity to work in philanthropy for our local Catholic church.” William further advised that “as a Catholic school scholarship recipient at St. John Bosco High School, I appreciate and understand the importance of charitable individuals that made my education possible.”
| | |
|
William brings strong communication skills and enthusiasm to CCF-LA and looks forward to learning that philanthropy is more than about a generous heart; it’s about the business of managing financial assets. He comes from a Catholic background, having attended Our Lady of the Rosary School, graduated from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, went on to earn an international business degree at California State University, Long Beach, and speaks English, Spanish, and Japanese.
Prior to joining CCF-LA, William worked in Japan for 7 years, first as a high school English teacher and then as an executive search consultant in Tokyo. He is a parishioner at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Hawaiian Gardens. William enjoys going for evening walks with Noodles, his miniature schnauzer, and continues to practice Japanese tea ceremony in his free time. As an advocate for Catholic education, his favorite quote is from St. Don Bosco: "For you, I study; for you, I work; for you, I live; for you, I am ready even to give my life."
| |
May Performance Financial Market Updates | |
|
The April 2024 Performance Report for the pooled funds managed by CCF-LA reflects the Balanced Pool portfolio returned -2.93 %, net of fees. The Intermediate Fund pool returned -0.60% and the estimated annual yield on the Short-Term Investment Fund account is currently +5.31%.
Stock Market sentiment reversed in April after five consecutive months of gains due to shifting interest rate outlooks. Investors had to scale back expectations for rate cuts following higher-than-expected inflation data.
| |
|
Armando Nevarez
Controller and Assistant Treasurer
| | |
|
The S&P 500 index declined by 4.1% during the month. International stock indices were mixed in April, with developed markets down -2.9% as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index. In Fixed Income, the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index fell -2.5% in April as investors were no longer pricing in a cut to the Fed Fund rate for 2024.
Regardless of market trends and fluctuations investments in our future and the future of our youth never disappoint. Consider setting up or investing in a scholarship fund which is a gift that pays dividends well into the future.
| | |
|
|
Archbishop’s Visit with Pope Francis
“We are grateful to support Pope Francis in inviting people all over the world to pray for seminarians and women religious as they seek to discern God’s beautiful plan for their lives,” said Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, who met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 29.
| | |
PMA Impact Gala
On April 27th St. Pius – St. Matthius Academy and Grand Reunion Impact Gala was hosted in their gymnasium at their current location in Downey CA. Our Board members John Smet and Raul Salinas were honored. Raul Salinas was honored in the Alumni Hall of Fame as an Influential non-profit leader and class of ’78. John Smet and his wife Cynthia Lee Smet were recognized as Philanthropist for impactful education and PMA’s radical transformation.
| | |
|
Raul F. Salinas
Board Member
| |  |
Cindy & John Smet (Board Member) | | |
Reach for the Stars!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles held it’s 2024, “Reach for the Stars,” Commitment to Feed, Clothe, House, Heal Benefit Dinner on Wed., May 8, 2024, at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles. This year’s honorees included William Cullinane, SVDP West San Gabriel District, Our Lady of the Assumption Conference, and Fr. Pedro Villarroya. With congratulations and gratitude to our client for over 6 years.
| |
| | |
|
|
Social Service Auxiliary
On April 19, 2024, staff members from CCF-LA attended the Sisters of Social Services Spiritus Award Luncheon at the California Club. Honoring Roseann Anderson, for her commitment to philanthropy and service is unparalleled. There was a tribute video for Roseann recognizing her involvement.
| | |
L-R: Sister Maribeth & Rosann Anderson | |
|
Mission Statement
The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles empowers charitable individuals and organizations across cultures and generations through professional philanthropy management solutions that allow clients to develop and sustain their philanthropy in support of Catholic values.
| | | | |
