The final installment of a $150,000 grant has been issued to Holy Family Cristo Rey by The Community Foundation for Greater Birmingham. The check was given in part to help the school reach its ultimate goal of doubling the enrollment at the Westside institution. But, it also “goes into operating fund to pay teacher’s salaries, operating expenses and buy books. Without this kind of support, this school does not continue in existence,” said Kent Graeve, a board member of Holy Family Cristo Rey. The school has an annual budget of close to 2.5 million dollars.
The Community Foundation gets an average of about 80 requests for help in funds for nonprofits in Birmingham and only around 20 to 30 get actual donations according to President Chris Nanni. “A three year grant for $150,000 dollars is somewhat unusual. That really speaks to the strength of the program, “ Nanni said.The purpose of this request for funds from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is also to help Holy Family Cristo Rey meet the goal of growing the school by 100 percent, simultaneously reducing high school dropout rates for students in Birmingham, raising college acceptance rates and ultimately ending the cycle of generational poverty. The funds will be used to target a goal of 5 million dollars over the next three years. This grant is a challenge grant to leverage funding from other foundations.
Even some of the students were excited about the grant received from The Community Foundation. “I didn’t know it would be such a huge amount for our school. It makes me feel proud as a senior and them sending that money was like maybe this school has something going on and we want to help out, so it’s a huge deal, “ says senior Ivery Bragg. Other students agreed. Ishmael Dukes, a senior, said, “I feel good about it that I go to a school that gets money from people for a good cause.“ Six students were on hand, along with Graeve to accept the check from The Community Fondation for Greater Birmingham representatives.
