Inner-City Scholarship Fund, Inc.

Inner-City Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to low-income families seeking to educate their children in Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of New York.

Mission

The organization's mission is to ensure that the opportunity for a high-quality K-12 Catholic education remains accessible to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. By offering tuition assistance, Inner-City Scholarship Fund empowers these students with a values-oriented and academically competitive education.

Programs

Inner-City Scholarship Fund provides several programs to support students:

• Be A Student’s Friend: This flagship program matches sponsors with students in Catholic elementary or high schools. Students must maintain adequate grades and correspond with their sponsors twice annually.
• General Assistance Programs: Inner-City partners with organizations like the Children's Scholarship Fund to offer tuition aid for students transferring from public schools or already enrolled in Catholic elementary schools. These awards are tailored based on family needs and tuition costs.
• Emergency Tuition Assistance: This program provides one-time grants to families facing unexpected financial hardships, allowing students to remain in their Catholic schools during challenging times.

Impact and Statistics

The organization has a substantial impact on its community:

• Scholarship Awards: Over $20 million in scholarships is awarded annually.
• Student Demographics: About 80% of students live near or below the federal poverty level, and 91% are minorities.
• Graduation Rate: A remarkable 98% of high school seniors graduate.
• Diversity: Approximately 40% of students are non-Catholic.

Leadership and Governance

The Inner-City Scholarship Fund is led by a Board of Trustees comprising distinguished professionals from various backgrounds, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, and other notable figures from finance and media industries.

Endowment

The organization manages a significant endowment with over 50 named funds, supporting scholarships and programs in perpetuity. This endowment is managed by the Board of Trustees with disciplined investment strategies to ensure sustainability.

Financial Overview

The Inner-City Scholarship Fund's financial health is robust, with net assets exceeding $100 million as reported in recent years. The organization allocates its resources effectively across different investment strategies to support long-term goals.