The Catholic Education Foundation provides access to education for at-risk students at the lowest poverty levels. By helping these children and their families with tuition assistance scholarships, we are transforming their lives with opportunities for an exceptional K-12 Catholic education where academic rigor, faith and social support are prioritized.

Learn more about our impact


Our 25-Year History

In 1997, the Catholic Education Foundation, formerly the Gardner Institute, was established to support Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and continue the legacy of Rev. Monsignor Henry Gardner, the first superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese.

Many schools were struggling and Catholic education was becoming less accessible to families most in need.

“Catholic education can’t just be for the affluent,” said Tom Zarda.

Concerned by what they were seeing in the Archdiocese, Catholic families including the Zardas, the Henrys, and the Mulvanys, along with business leaders John Menghini, Mark Ledom, and Leonard McKinzie had a vision to change the status quo through the Catholic Education Foundation and make it possible for any family to receive a Catholic education, regardless of their financial means.

Tom Zarda with Sandy and Tom Long

Through the generosity of donors and the great performance of our Catholic schools, the Catholic Education Foundation grew to have a tremendous impact on students, schools and communities throughout the Archdiocese.

Today, the Foundation offers three scholarship programs and for the 2022-’23 school year, is poised to:

  • provide $4 million in scholarships
  • support nearly 1,800 students
  • partner with 23 schools in northeast Kansas, with the highest percentage of students living at or below the poverty level.

Thanks to the leadership of our founders, for 25 years, the Catholic Education Foundation has led the way for thousands of students of all backgrounds to experience the rigorous academics, faith formation and community support that Catholic schools deliver.

 

Help further the vision of our founders

 


Board of Directors

Board Leadership

RJ Gildea
Chair
Freedom Bank
Colleen Hochberg
Vice Chair
Hallmark Cards
John Shaw
Treasurer
Teva Pharmaceuticals
Lisa Connor
Member At Large
Ascension Catholic School
Jeff Jaworski
Past Chair
Triune Financial Partners

Board Members

Jenney Babcock
Ascend Learning Healthcare
Fr. Nick Blaha
Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, KS
Dr. Vincent Cascone
(ex officio)
Superintendent, Archdiocese of KCK
Toby Cook
The University of Kansas Health System
Andy Eilert
Home Care Solutions
Craig Gaffney
Country Club Bank
Chad Gassen
BKD
Chris Hane
Assisted Transportation Services
Darren Lovick
Shawnee Mission Medical Center
Bill Maloney
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Chris Miller
The Miller Group
Denise Mills
LeaderFuel Now
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
(ex officio)
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Courtney Raupp
Church of the Nativity
Bert Seefeldt
Husch Blackwell LLP
Jamie Wagner
The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Past Board Chairs

Hamp Henning
Robert W. Baird & Co.
Mark Ledom
Diversified Asset Management
Pat McAnany
McAnany Construction
Nelson Newcomer
DH Pace
Terry Sexton
Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
Derek Teeter
Husch Blackwell LLP
Joan Wells
Wellington

Emeritus

Rich Henry
Kansas City Homes
Tom Zarda
Zarda Brothers

Foundation Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Vincent Anch
Office: 913-647-0383
Mobile: N/A
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Amy Meara
Office: 913-721-1574
Mobile: 913-808-8926
DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Debbie Herrman
Office: 913-721-1573
Mobile: 913-908-6838
MARKETING MANAGER
Amy Brost
Office: 913-647-0379
Mobile: N/A
DATABASE SPECIALIST
Sarah Samsel
Office: 913-647-0344
Mobile: N/A
Bookkeeper
Sendy Ruiz
Sendy Ruiz
Office: 913-647-0308
Mobile: N/A
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Kristin Castle
Kristin Castle
Office: 913-721-1572
Mobile: N/A

"I am very grateful for the work of the Catholic Education Foundation. Without its help, Catholic schools would be out of reach for many families."

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

Put Catholic education within reach of every student.

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