Capital campaigning picks up in Catholic schools

Boston, Mass., Apr 19, 2004 / 22:00 pm

In an attempt to maintain quality education and keep enrollment up, Catholic schools in Boston have taken to marketing and large-scale capital campaigns.

Years ago, Catholic schools relied on archdiocesan appeals and collections. Priests and nuns were teachers, which kept labor costs and tuition down. But decreases in the number of religious and demographic shifts have changed all that.

Now, enrollment can go up to $8,000, which is difficult for most families to manage. Most young Catholics attend public schools.

Marian High School in Framingham, which becomes independent of the archdiocese in September, is gearing up for its capital campaign, reported the Boston Globe. The Archdiocese of Boston intends to consolidate and close schools where attendance is in decline.

Joseph Flynn, Marian’s director of development, has updated alumni databases and formed committees to get graduates more involved in fundraising, reported the Globe. The school also created a "road show" to try to convince parents to transfer their children from public school.

Catholic schools received tips for campaign success at last week’s the National Catholic Educational Association convention, reported the Globe.