Across Long Island, thousands of children attend Catholic elementary schools, an education that comes with a price for families. For those who want to enroll their kids in Catholic school but cannot afford the cost, Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation is there to help.
According to the organization’s website, since 2005, the nonprofit has provided more than $25 million in tuition assistance for more than 20,000 underserved students to attend Long Island’s 35 Catholic elementary schools. In 2021 alone, the foundation dispersed a total of $2.45 million to 1,200 students.
“The needs of these applicants increase each year as the cost of living on Long Island continues to rise,” says Ismini Scouras, executive director of Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation. “As this number increases, so does the struggle for the foundation to keep children safe and educated.”
The foundation’s goal is to reach the capacity to fund a higher portion or full cost of tuition for all students who apply for assistance. Its fundraising efforts consist of several annual events, including a 5K, golf outing, gala, and Christmas party, as well as grants. Tomorrow’s Hope will soon launch a planned giving program for donors to add the foundation to their estate plans, which will “help ensure the long-term sustainability of Long Island Catholic elementary schools,” Scouras says.
“We provide an opportunity for these children – it puts them on a path to success both personally and professionally,” she adds. “Especially today with all the uncertainty in the world, being able to be educated with values of the Roman Catholic Church really gives our kids the moral compass they need to move through life.”
In addition to providing tuition assistance, Tomorrow’s Hope has donated learning materials to underserved Catholic school students in need. In 2020, the foundation gave out 2,000 technology devices to students.
Families seeking financial aid for Catholic elementary school for their children can apply at tomorrowshopefoundation.org. The application process opens on Jan. 20 for the 2022-2023 school year.
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