Support Us

The Challenge

More than two-thirds (71%) of St. Mary School families live at or below the Federal Poverty Level. The school policy is to turn no child away for financial reasons. Students come to us from the entire inner city of Akron (12 area zip codes). Ninety percent (90%) are minorities (African American/Hispanic). Eighty-seven percent (87%) are from single parent households. Further, 89% of the students are non-Catholic, making St. Mary an ecumenical school in the Catholic tradition.

Ed Choice Scholarships have been secured for most students. While significant, these monies do not meet the needed funding for operational and program expansions in science, technology, the arts, physical education, cultural diversity enhancements, personal growth development, learning resources and capital improvements

The St. Mary School enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is .

The Non-Profit Corporation, Endowment Fund and Board

The St. Mary Urban Education Initiative, Inc.

This support organization was formed by a group of caring persons who filed Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit corporation with the Ohio Secretary of State on July 2, 2012. Its purpose is to enable children in the inner city of Akron to break out of the cycle of poverty through access to a quality education at St. Mary Elementary School in the early formative years of K through 8.

The Endowment Fund

The St. Mary Urban Education Endowment Fund was established at the Akron Community Foundation in 2012 to ensure a permanent predictable stream of funding for its urban education mission. Gifts to the endowment fund are tax deductible, and they are carefully invested and grown over time. As a permanent endowment, a portion of the income from those gifts is used to support the urban education initiative, while the rest continues to grow in perpetuity. Each year the fund supports tuition, educational programs, and capital improvements at St. Mary School.

In a 10-year period, the Endowment Fund has grown from an initial investment of $5,000 to approximately $ 1,200,000. Our immediate goal is to increase funding gifts by $ 800,000 to achieve a fund balance of $ 2 million. The non-profit organization and endowment fund are legally independent of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of St. Mary Urban Education Initiative, Inc. was elected pursuant to By-Laws adopted in 2012. The Board of Directors serve without financial compensation. The current list of Directors is provided.

Donate Now

Thank you for building lives of promise in urban Akron.

By giving to the St. Mary Urban Education Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation your donation will enable children in the inner city of Akron - now and in the future - to break the cycle of poverty through a quality education at St. Mary School Akron.

Giving Options

To make a gift by check or credit card, please print and complete the donation form and mail to Akron Community Foundation,

345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307.

To make a gift of stock, please contact

Steve Schloenbach, VP and CFO of

Akron Community Foundation at 330-436-5621

To make a planned gift, please contact

Margaret Medzie, VP and Chief Development Officer of

Akron Community Foundation at 330-436-5610

DONATION FORM

Click on top right corner of form

SMUEI Donation Form 11-03-2021.pdf

St. Mary Endowment Board

The St. Mary Endowment Board, St. Mary Urban Education Initiative Inc., was elected per by-laws established on Aug. 28, 2012. The endowment board serves without financial compensation.

St. Mary Urban Education Initiative, Inc.

Board of Directors

John C.W. Grossmann – Board Chairman; Retired President, E.G.G., Inc.,

Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Engineering

Michelle Bisconti – Previous Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor, Akron General LifeStyles

Dr. Nick Bisconti Jr. – General Surgeon, Canton General Surgery, Aultman

Hospital

Tony Crookston - Previous Owner of CCSupply; Representative of St. Mary Parish

and Parish Council

John P. Delaney – Board Vice Chairman; President Emeritus, G.D.S. Express, Inc.

David W. Hilkert - Board Treasurer; Attorney at Law, Stark & Knoll Co., L.P.A.

Judith Steiner Krajewski – Previous Exec. Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Banner Bank; Previously Exec. Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, FirstMerit Corporation

Bishop David Parker - Senior Pastor of Zion Apostolic Faith Church; Vice-President and

Chief Operating Officer of Education Motivation Success, Inc.

Dr. Patricia Nugent, Ed.D., ex-officio as Principal (non-voting)

Fr. Chris Zerucha, Pastor of St. Mary and St. Bernard Parishes (non-voting)

Page updated

Report abuse