The St. Paul Education Trust “A Legacy of Learning”

In 1973 the future of Catholic elementary education seemed uncertain. All around the country, Catholic schools were closing because of financial constraints. The Education Commission of St. Paul Parish, concerned that other schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit were being forced to close, asked Tom and Lynn McGann to investigate and determine solutions to the deficits of the Parish education system. Their report recommended that an endowment be established for the benefit of St. Paul Parish educational programs.

For the next few years, the concept of an educational endowment, along with a major fund raising effort, was vigorously debated at several levels. Eventually the idea of an educational trust was approved and under the guidance of Monsignor Francis X. Canfield, who was the Pastor of St. Paul Parish, work began on the Articles of Organization and By Laws of the St. Paul Educational Trust. Appropriate documents were filed, the officers were elected and in 1977 the Trust was given 501(c) (3) status.

The members of the founding Board of Trustees were: Msgr. Francis X. Canfield, Frank Couzens Jr., Treasurer, James H. Dingeman, William L. Hurley, John Imesch, Thomas F. McGann, Chairman, Philip J. Meathe, Theodore H. Mecke, Jr., Vice-Chairman, John K. Roney and Robert F. Taylor, Secretary.

In 1979 the first grant was made in the amount of $500. Over the years, the trust has grown steadily through contributions from parishioners and friends and through prudent investments. Market value in 1997 was approximately $500,000. Cumulative grants at that time nearly totaled $160,000 and included major financial contributions to the Parish and school. Expenditures have included purchasing computers, encyclopedias, and reading laboratory materials, funding creative writing and music programs, as well as defraying the cost of counseling services and curriculum evaluations. In addition, several scholarship funds were set up within the Trust.

Today the Trust is valued at slightly under $1,000,000 and has disbursed over $750,000 in the form of grants to St. Paul School, scholarship aid to St. Paul Parish students wishing to attend a Catholic high school, tuition subsidy for needy St. Paul students and grants for other St. Paul parish educational activities.

SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

The Monsignor Francis X. Canfield Scholarship-is a tuition subsidy to a Catholic high school awarded annually to a deserving eighth grade member of the Parish.

The Couzens Family Scholarship-is also a tuition subsidy to a Catholic high school awarded each year to a deserving eighth grader from the Parish.

The FitzSimons Family Scholarship-is a financial award presented to a kindergartner or first grader to be used toward tuition at St. Paul School

The Gerard R. Slattery Award- is presented to the most improved player on each of the athletic teams sponsored by the Parish.

The Anne and Red Browning Spirit Award-is presented at eighth grade graduation to the graduate who is chosen by the faculty as best exemplifying good citizenship and dedication to St. Paul school.

GIFTS

The Educational Trust has been the beneficiary of many memorials made in honor of deceased parishioners, relatives and friends. Some parishioners remember loved ones with monthly contributions to the trust. These gifts help insure the financial stability as well as the academic excellence of the Parish educational program. Gift envelopes are available at the Parish Office and are given to every newly established St. Paul Parish family in the “New Parishioner Packet”.

MISSION

The purpose for which the St. Paul Educational Trust was formed include the following:

· To aid in the support of present and future educational and instructional programs at St. Paul Parish.

· To subsidize the cost of Catholic education for needy students who meet certain qualifications.

· To financially support other related educational projects to St. Paul Parish.

· To engage in other charitable, religious and educational activities.

Funding of the Trust is achieved by contributions from parishioners an the general public, bequests under wills, and bequests under inter vivos, and testamentary trusts. To make a contribution to the St. Paul Educational Trust, call Tom McGann at 313.886.9537