Each year, Giving Tuesday invites people across the world to pause, reflect, and share their blessings with others. It’s a day rooted in gratitude — a moment to recognize the many gifts God has given us and to prayerfully consider how we might give back.
For the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), Giving Tuesday is more than a global day of generosity. It’s a chance to shine a light on the students and families whose lives are transformed through access to a Catholic education.
This year, we’re centering our Giving Tuesday efforts around a simple but powerful theme: “Why We Give.”
Every supporter has a unique reason for choosing to invest in a child’s future, and together, these stories paint a beautiful picture of faith, hope, and community.
These heartfelt “whys” behind their generosity serve as a reminder that every gift, big or small, carries a story.
And this year, those gifts support a mission with extraordinary impact.
In the 2025–2026 school year, CEF will award $5.6 million in scholarships to help students access high-quality Catholic education across our community. These scholarships open doors that would otherwise remain closed for families facing financial hardship.
The results speak for themselves: CEF scholarship recipients achieve a 100% high school graduation rate, year after year.
This is a testament to what happens when children are given the chance to learn in an environment where they are known, loved, and rooted in faith.
Here are just a few of the beautiful reasons our donors have shared:
"I give because I'm grateful for the opportunity to have attended Catholic schools my whole life — the faith formation, friendships, and sense of community shaped who I am today."
- CEF Futures Alumni and Donor
"As a CEF donor, it’s a blessing to know that no child is turned away because of financial need. Supporting CEF allows me to be part of something bigger — helping our schools meet the needs of every family and strengthen our community in faith and love."
- CEF Donor
"I give to CEF because I’ve seen how it transforms lives. Knowing that my support helps provide scholarships to children who might not otherwise have this opportunity reminds me that faith and education truly go hand in hand."
- Former CEF Board Member and Donor
When you give to the Catholic Education Foundation, you’re helping a child walk into a classroom filled with possibility and strengthening families who desire faith-filled formation for their children.
Most importantly, you’re giving hope — the kind of hope that can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life.
As you reflect on your own blessings this Giving Tuesday, on December 2, we invite you to prayerfully consider supporting CEF and becoming part of this incredible mission.
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