A new teacher excellence endowment fund has been established at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Bethlehem, thanks to the generosity and vision of the Capobianco Family Foundation. The Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund will support a dedicated teacher excellence program that provides annual honorariums to recognize outstanding K–8 faculty, along with professional development opportunities for teachers and staff.
The fund reflects the Capobianco family’s long-standing belief in the transformative impact of Catholic education — and the central role teachers play in forming both the minds and hearts of students.
“Catholic schools were a major impact in our family’s life, and at the center of that experience were teachers who saw their work not just as a job, but as a vocation,” Faust Capobianco said.
Supporting Our Catholic School Teachers
“Great teachers shape character, instill faith, and open doors of possibility for children. We created this fund to honor their dedication and to ensure they feel valued, supported, and encouraged to continue their important mission.”
Much of the success in student achievement in Catholic schools can be attributed to the dedication of administrators and faculty who, together with parents, cultivate dynamic and creative learning environments. These partnerships empower students to reach their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially.
As parishes and schools locally and nationally grapple with the challenge of attracting and retaining top faculty amid competitive salary pressures, Teacher Excellence Endowment Funds have emerged as a meaningful solution. Introduced locally by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania five years ago, these funds provide annual honorariums that recognize exceptional teaching and help schools affirm the value of their educators.
More About Teacher Excellence Endowment Funds
The Our Lady of Perpetual Help fund is the sixth Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund established with the Catholic Foundation, and one of three launched through gifts from individual donors. Each fund helps ensure that appreciation for teachers is not a one-time gesture, but a lasting commitment.
Just getting a fund established is the first step in highlighting the importance of ongoing support for teachers and providing a repository for other donors to give. According to Rosalia Cacciabeve, Advancement Director at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, gifts from generous supporters of the school’s annual fund will be used to match the Capobianco’s gift.
Teacher Excellence Endowment Funds currently managed by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
- John Paul II Center Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund
- Mercy School Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund
- St. Ignatius Loyola Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund (Sinking Springs)
- St. Joseph the Worker Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund
- St. Thomas More School Teacher Excellence Endowment Fund
Through foresight and generosity, families like the Capobiancos are strengthening Catholic education by supporting those who serve in classrooms today while securing excellence for generations tomorrow.
Please contact the Catholic Foundation to discuss starting a Teacher Excellence fund to honor the outstanding work of teachers at your favorite Catholic school.
