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Development Office/Ways to Give: Vision for the Future

Through the Diocese of Wilmington’s Education Trust Fund, Vision for the Future, tuition assistance is offered to children attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools whose parents struggle to afford the full cost of tuition.

Funds held within the Trust and restricted to the support of tuition assistance combined with those raised through the annual diocesan Share in the Spirit collection are distributed annually.

Beginning September 15, 2024, tuition assistance application information is made available to interested families through the diocesan elementary and high schools.  Applications are submitted online to FACTS, an independent agent assigned to evaluate the financial need of those seeking assistance.  Low- to middle-income families struggling with tuition expenses are encouraged to apply.

For more information about Vision for the Future and the application process, please contact the diocesan Development Office at (302) 573-3121 or email Rita Mendoza, Assistant to the Director at rmendoza@cdow.org.

What is the Share in the Spirit Campaign?

Share in the Spirit is an annual collection for tuition assistance to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wilmington.  This special collection is conducted at all Masses during the fourth weekend of September.  In addition, invitations to participate in this fundraising effort are mailed and offered online. 

This year, the collection will take place on September 21 and 22, 2024.  The funds raised from this collection are also combined with funds from the diocese’s Vision for the Future of Education Trust to assist elementary and secondary school students whose families struggle to afford the total cost of tuition.

Every single family who receives tuition assistance pays for a portion of their child’s tuition. Your participation in this campaign helps to support hard-working families to make the dream of a Catholic education a reality. 

What is the need?

Each year, the applications we receive for tuition assistance far outweigh the level of support we can provide. 

For example:  Of the nearly 1,200 applications, FACTS, an independent agent that analyzes the financial need of each applicant, determined that more than $7 million would be required to fulfill the maximum demand of every family qualified.  And, every year, this number increases. 

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors like you, this campaign continues to grow and impact lives. For this 2024-2025 school year – we have provided $1,200,000 in scholarships to 765 students; an increase of 170 students will be assisted over last year.   However, our resources are limited!  The support we provide for the 2024-2025 school year only represents approximately 17% of the calculated need.

Why is Catholic education worth the investment?

Our Catholic schools develop individuals who will emerge as leaders in our communities and world. 

Catholic schools provide smaller class sizes, taught by passionate and committed teachers.  Our students receive an education that challenges the intellectual and nurtures the spiritual, deep-rooted in our faith.  An education that emphasizes service to others every day.  Catholic schools develop students who emerge as leaders who promote, sustain, and inspire our world into the future.