Endowment Supports Transformation of Girls into Women of Faith and Vision
“As the only all-girls Catholic high school in Macomb County we are the hidden gem. We provide our young women with a safe and comfortable learning environment that empowers our students to take on leadership roles and excel in a rigorous curriculum,” shares Ann Diamond, principal of Regina High School in Warren, Mich.For more than 60 years, Regina High School’s mission has been to educate the whole girl — mind, body and soul — for life’s future challenges. Regina opened in 1956 in Harper Woods and moved to its current location in 2007. The school was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis and reflects the Franciscan values of peace, service, community, stewardship, and respect for the unique dignity of each person. Students have regular opportunities for prayer, Mass, and service. Regina has 100% of students accepted into a two- or four-year college or university.“In an all-female setting, many of the social pressures placed on adolescent girls are removed. This provides a safe environment where students can take risks, try new things and discover for themselves where their strengths and passions lie,” Ann elaborates.
In 2018, Regina’s school leadership and Board of Directors embarked upon a new strategic initiative which included building an endowment fund. Over 40% of Regina families receive financial assistance and most of the funding comes directly from the school’s operating budget, requiring a cycle of annual fundraising to fulfill the need. The strategic planning committee saw that expanded endowment dollars would allow the school to use interest earned to make Regina more affordable for families, promote ethnic and economic diversity within the school, and fund faculty positions and program expansion.
“The Catholic Foundation presented a solution for Regina’s investments to ensure the continuation and growth for future generations.”
“Serving on Regina High School’s Capital Campaign and Finance Committee in 2018, it wasn’t by coincidence that I was introduced to Angela Moloney,” shares Rosanne (Bommarito) Brugnoni, member of Regina High School’s Board of Directors. “The Catholic Foundation presented a solution for Regina’s investments to ensure the continuation and growth for future generations along with increasing Regina’s visibility and marketing to potential donors wishing to support an eastside all-girls Catholic high school whose mission is to transform girls into young women of faith and vision.”
Regina’s board members were unanimous in approving the investment strategies offered by the Catholic Foundation. “Prudent investment of Regina’s endowment funds, while following responsible Catholic investment policies, were strong attributes in deciding to partner with the Catholic Foundation,” Rosanne continues.
The introduction of Regina and the Catholic Foundation initiated in fall of 2018 rapidly moved to implementation of the school’s permanent endowment by spring 2019. Rosanne shares, “Regina’s partnership with the Catholic Foundation will bring a long-term relationship to support Regina’s commitment to academic excellence and personal growth of young women who face the challenges of today’s world.”
The school leadership seeks to grow its endowment to $10 million, twice the school’s operating budget, during and beyond a current fundraising campaign.
Please join the Catholic Foundation in supporting the vital mission and programs at Regina by making a donation toward the endowment fund. Your support will help Regina High School to educate the next generation of young women.