Capital Campaign

A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE IS ANNOUNCED 

Three alumni pledged seven-figure gifts to the newly announced Pride in our Past . . . Faith in our Future Capital Campaign to benefit a Center for Excellence in Science, an All-Weather Athletic Complex, Residential Space for the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and additional Endowment.

St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute publicly announced the school’s $12 million capital campaign, Pride in our Past . . . Faith in our Future, on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. “Announcing Pride in our Past . . . Faith in our Future on the Feast of our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, allows us to truly celebrate the presence of the Christian Brothers at St. Joe’s and the importance of the Lasallian mission – now, and as we approach our 150th anniversary year in 2011,” said Robert T. Scott, AFSC, President/Principal.

At the kick-off, St. Joe’s acknowledged that it has received three seven-figure gifts from alumni: a $2 million gift given by prominent Buffalo businessman John S. Cullen ’54, founder of Multisorb Technologies, a $1 million gift given by Anthony J. Colucci Jr., Esq., AFSC ’51, a Senior Attorney with Block, Colucci, Notaro & Laing, P.C., and a $1 million gift given by William R. O’Connor ’53, former managing director of Merrill Lynch Capital Markets. These three gifts have provided the foundation for a $12 million campaign with more than $9.3 million raised to-date.

“The gifts given by our three alumni are historic and transforming. Their generosity will allow St. Joe’s to further strengthen our academic programming, recognize the strong athletic tradition of the school, provide for the Christian Brothers and give special attention to future generations of St. Joe’s students through the provision of financial aid,” remarked Richard N. Gilbert, M.D. ’80, chairman of the board of trustees.

The organizational and planning phase of the campaign began in January  2006 with a small group of committed individuals who worked to develop an initial campaign plan, which culminated with the public announcement. As St. Joe’s moves forward with the public phase of the campaign, which will continue through June 2008, we will look to reach out to our alumni and other key supporters to share the exciting new developments and plans for the school.

THE CASE

St. Joe’s is dedicated to continuing the tradition of excellence in providing high quality education to young men within a Christ-centered community. Over the next five years the school is committed to a number of capital projects to better serve its student body and larger community. These include: a Center for Excellence in Science; an All-Weather Athletic Complex; Residential Space for the Brothers of the Christian Schools; and additional Endowment.

The Center for Excellence in Science will position the school as a leader in science and technology education in Western New York. The science complex will include classrooms and laboratories, interfaced and equipped with state-of-the-art teaching aids, scientific instrumentation and computer technology.
Project Goal: $3,100,000

The construction of a multi-purpose All-Weather Athletic Complex will include artificial-turf playing surfaces where football, soccer, lacrosse and baseball will take place. The design will provide a non-regulation artificial running track with field event practice areas. A new locker facility with coaches’ offices for all outdoor teams will complete the complex.
Project Goal: $2,000,000

A Residential Space for the Brothers of the Christian Schools will be built to ensure that the Lasallian tradition of the Christian Brothers continues. Generations of Brothers of the Christian Schools have taught at St. Joe’s and our commitment is to provide dignified housing that is suitable to maintain their presence as a vital influence on campus.
Project Goal:  $800,000

The campaign also focuses on Endowment. Concentrating directly on endowment is actually part of the service and accountability that we teach our students. Many of the students who are now leaders in the science fields and in athletics would not have attended St. Joe’s were it not for financial aid. Additional endowment will allow the school to address its ever-present commitment to financial aid, thus further enhancing an already diverse and talented student community. 
Project Goal: $3,000,000

Lastly, the campaign will focus on Annual Fund. Annual giving is crucial to the financial stability of St. Joe’s annual operating budget, helping to fill the gap between total tuition revenue and the actual cost of educating students at our school. As we undertake the largest capital fundraising effort in the history of St. Joe’s, we must maintain the focus on annual giving.
Project Goal: $2,600,000

Life is full of challenges and opportunities. The challenge of envisioning the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute of 2011 - the year of our 150th Anniversary - is a unique opportunity to express in our actions the tradition of service to others that is the hallmark of a Lasallian education.