Since 1957, when Notre Dame High School (also known as Notre Dame Green Pond) opened its doors in Bethlehem Township, the co-educational high school’s mission has centered on enriching students’ academic and athletic development as well as their spiritual and cultural growth.
Now three new endowed funds will help ensure the Catholic school, part of the Diocese of Allentown’s school system, can continue that mission for generations to come.
Futureproofing Notre Dame High School
The endowments, created by Faust and Melissa Capobianco of Bethlehem Township, are intended to be a “call to action for the Notre Dame community to support the present and future of schools like Notre Dame through endowed giving,” Faust Capobianco IV said.
“Certainly, we intend them to be sources of effective financial support for Notre Dame Green Pond High School and its talented and dynamic students,” he said. “The initial gifts and the effective stewardship of them by the Catholic Foundation make them meaningful by themselves.”
However, Faust wants others to see the bigger picture and the impact endowment funds managed by the Catholic Foundation can have on the future of Notre Dame High School.
“Our true hope is that these endowed funds — which leverage the power of financial markets and compounding — will inspire other Notre Dame alumni and parents to make additional gifts to these funds that accelerate their growth,” he said.
“It also may inspire donors to establish similar funds that support other aspects of the Notre Dame experience.”
Generosity With Far-Reaching Impact
Jaclyn Friel, Principal at Notre Dame, is grateful for the Capobiancos’ generosity, initiative, and foresight.
“These funds will have an impact across several academic and program areas that are really central to who we are as a school,” Friel said.
“The Excellence in Performing Arts Endowment Fund will support our performing arts programs, where students have opportunities to grow in confidence and creativity; the STEM Excellence Endowment Fund will support our STEM initiatives, which help prepare students for the future through innovation and hands-on learning.”
“And just as importantly, Catholic Faith and Character Formation Endowment Fund will help to ensure students continue to grow spiritually while receiving an outstanding education,” she said.
“Together, these are programs that help us educate the whole child,” Friel said.
Their Own Catholic Education Inspired the Capobiancos
Capobianco said he and his wife were inspired to create the funds because of their own experiences with a Catholic education.
“Most members of our large family have benefitted from Catholic schools at either the elementary, secondary or collegiate level — in some cases, all three,” Faust said.
“We have been well-aware of Notre Dame Green Pond for some time, but developed a deeper appreciation for its history, values and importance to the Lehigh Valley through our son’s attendance there during the past four years.”
Jacque Flynn, Notre Dame’s Director of Development, said she hopes the funds will continue to create opportunities for future generations of students.
“Endowments provide lasting support, which means we can continue investing in programs that make a real difference in students’ lives,” she said. “We want students to have every opportunity to discover their gifts and reach their full potential.”
The three endowment funds are part of a comprehensive effort called Faithful Futures: Campaign for Notre Dame, which launched in November 2025. Flynn shared that the comprehensive campaign focuses on key priorities: capital improvements including building a new “Academic Fieldhouse,” growing financial aid and annual giving to support enrollment, and increasing the school’s endowment and long-term investments.
“These endowments are an important part of our larger vision for Notre Dame,” Friel said. “One of the greatest benefits of funds like these is that they allow us to think long-term and help us preserve and strengthen the mission of the school for the future.”
Friel believes that Catholic education has always been about more than academics.
“It’s about forming young people intellectually, spiritually, and personally,” she said. “These three endowment funds help ensure we can continue providing that kind of experience.”
Capobianco said the funds are intended to support the high school’s core educational programs in addition to expanded programming that complements that core.
“No matter what a student’s talents, interests and goals may be, they should be able to pursue and achieve them at Notre Dame High School,” he said.
Supporting Catholic Education, Forever
For the Capobiancos, supporting Catholic education means investing not only in academic excellence, but also in the unique gifts and aspirations of every student and teacher.
“Catholic education is both distinctive and indispensable because it is firmly grounded in Christian values that are taught, explored, and reinforced throughout the entire school experience,” Faust said.
“At the same time, Catholic schools are communities made up of students and educators with diverse talents, interests, and dreams. We wanted to create opportunities that help those gifts flourish.”
School leaders say the Capobiancos’ generosity is an investment in both today’s students and future generations.
“It is incredibly meaningful when families believe in our mission enough to make this kind of commitment,” Flynn said. “As alumni parents, the Capobiancos have experienced firsthand the value of a Catholic education.”
“Their generosity reflects a deep belief in forming young people in faith, academic excellence, creative talent, and service,” she added. “These funds will create new opportunities for our students and help strengthen our mission for years to come.”
