The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) is pleased to announce that it has received to date gifts and pledges totaling more than $1,133,000 to its 50th Anniversary Gathering Fund, surpassing the campaign’s $1,000,000 goal by 13%.
It was announced on March 16, 2015 that $950,000 had been raised to that point, unlocking a special challenge gift of over $72,000 pledged by a group of 15 member schools. This means that just over $111,000 has been raised in the past two and a half months. Said the Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, NAES Executive Director, “The gathering of schools, individuals, church-related organizations, and foundations has been widespread and abundant, and we cannot thank them enough for being a part of this substantial and generous mosaic.”
The Gathering Fund is part of the association’s 2014-2015 celebration of its 50 years of ‘serving those who serve Episcopal schools. Mr. Heischman said, “One thing that has become clear to us is that there are many individuals and institutions that still want to be a part of this commemorative effort. The unique mixture of programs to be supported and the opportunity to make the most of this milestone encourage us to continue seeking contributions to this campaign in the final month remaining in our anniversary year. It is not a time to rest on our accomplishments, but to build on the positive response in the hope that we can bring together as many individuals and groups as possible in this effort by the conclusion of the campaign on June 30, 2015.”
Founded in 1965, the National Association of Episcopal Schools serves those who serve the nearly 1,200 schools, early childhood education programs, and school establishment efforts throughout The Episcopal Church. Gifts to the 50th Anniversary Gathering Fund campaign will help support its work assisting the Episcopal Urban School Alliance, Haiti partnerships, and schools in financial need and in the areas of Episcopal school chaplaincy development and school leadership and governance.
Celebrating this legacy and looking toward a thriving future, there is still time for supporters to join the 50th anniversary celebrations by:
- Making a special contribution to one of the three 50th Anniversary Gathering Funds: Jubilee School Fund; The Rev. George E. Andrews II Endowment for Chaplaincy Development; and The Rev. Peter G. Cheney Fund for Leadership and Governance.
- Celebrating with NAES at the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, June 25-July 3, 2015.
Information about the 50th Anniversary Gathering Fund campaign, including a list of participating schools, is available at www.episcopalschools.org/support-our-work/50th-anniversary-gathering-fund.
For more information about the NAES 50th anniversary, please visit www.episcopalschools.org/about-naes/our-50th-anniversary.