Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education

Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education is sponsored by Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education (Archdiocese of Philadelphia). This fund supports Catholic schools, parishes, and organizations across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It welcomes proposals for programmatic initiatives that spur new thinking and action in Catholic education.

SUPPORTING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, PARISHES, AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA SINCE 1967 Welcome to the Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education , a charitable organization founded in November 1967 and operating as the Archdiocesan Educational Fund until February 2020.

As you move from our organizational history and timeline to our featured projects, you will observe an evolving transition to a competitive proposal process and an expanded scope of applying organizations. Several featured projects illustrate the dimension of our most recent and current grant awards, including responses to acute challenges confronting our schools and their families from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We appreciate your interest in our charitable organization and its work in support of Catholic education and ministry. We are eager to hear from Catholic schools and organizations throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia interested in proposing projects or programs that are new, better, or different in addressing issues of quality education and faith formation and expression.

We urge all qualifying organizations that are considering a grant application to review the guidelines tab for details about our LOI and proposal application processes. Since its founding in November 1967, the Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education has provided more than $63 million in financial support to the general educational programs and activities conducted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia or its parishes.

Continue scrolling for additional information The Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education broadened its scope by welcoming proposals for programmatic initiatives that spur new thinking and new action in Catholic education.

The Fund board will also approach appropriate organizations with grant awards to explore solutions to various issues affecting Catholic education or youth, or to improve and raise the knowledge of our Catholic faith and make it a more meaningful part of our lives.

See if your Catholic organization qualifies “Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and mature…” "Our STEM Pathways grant provides students with a dedicated STEM lab and opportunity to engage STEM-focused courses as soon as they enter PJPII."

Pope John Paul II High School "We are always on a pilgrim journey forward as Catholics. The Next Generation Catholic Parish Pilot initiative will help illuminate the path of what our parishes can look like in a future full of hope." Catholic Leadership Institute "Second-grade students learned how to code puzzles and, during their recess, coded a logic-based puzzle online and sent it to their teacher to solve.

STREAM principles sparking curiosity — and outside the classroom!" St. Mary Interparochial School “Giving our students choices in seating has strengthened collaboration, increased attention, and decreased off-task tendencies.

” St. Agnes School, West Chester "The Sophia Institute Workshop made me inspired & renewed in my mission and role as a Catholic educator." Anonymous Participant Evaluation “Our families are confident in our ability to provide a safe and quality Catholic education because of the protective screens.

” Suburban PreK-8 Principal The COVID tuition-relief grant was a big help for my family. ” Challenge: Delivering Top-Flight Science & Math Programs to Low-Income Students The Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education continues the mission and vision of Matthew H. McCloskey Jr. (1893-1973), whose three priorities were his family, his faith, and his friends.

The building contractor and United States Ambassador to Ireland (1962-1964) believed deeply in Catholic education and in teaching people about the Catholic faith. Committed to this cause, this self-made millionaire launched this independent foundation in 1967 with a gift of $500,000 and with a primary focus on secondary education.

Matt McCloskey died in 1973 at the age of 80, bequeathing more than $5 million to the philanthropic organization he founded to strengthen Catholic education across the Philadelphia region. See if your Catholic organization qualifies Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education andrew@ambassadorsfund. org Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education andrew@ambassadorsfund.

org Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez was appointed 14 th Bishop and 10 th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Pope Francis on January 23, 2020 following more than two years as Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland.

Born in Miami, Florida (1961), Archbishop Pérez was raised in West New York, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montclair State University (1983). He entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he earned master of divinity (1988) and master of arts in theology (1989) degrees.

Archbishop Pérez was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 20, 1989 and was assigned parochial vicar of Saint Ambrose Parish where he was stationed for five years. He concurrently served as assistant director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics (1990-93) before serving as the founding director of the Institute for Evangelization (1993-2002).

He was named Chaplain to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, with the title of Monsignor in 1998. His service in the Philadelphia archdiocese through 2012 included pastor of two parishes a faculty member at both Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and LaSalle University. He taught courses in psychology, religious studies, and developmental psychology for more than 15 years.

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named him a Prelate of Honor. Three years later, Pope Benedict appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Center, New York, where he served as Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Vicariate overseeing 36 parishes. He also had administrative responsibility for Hispanic Ministry, formation programs, and ecclesial movements in 54 parishes.

He participated in or led multiple archdiocesan councils, committees, and boards before his appointment to the Cleveland archdiocese in 2017. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Pérez serves on several committees and chairs the Bishops’ Standing Committee on Cultural Diversity.

In November 2018, he began a three-year term as the bishop liaison for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Rooted in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” #24, Archbishop Pérez’s pastoral vision can be summarized as: “Church on Mission: Proactive, Involved, Supportive, Fruitful, and Joyful. ” Rev.

Alfred Bradley, C. Ss. R.

Rev. Alfred Bradley, C. Ss.

R. , is a Redemptorist priest currently serving as Parochial Administrator of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and St. Laurentius School in Philadelphia, a role he has held since 2019.

He brings more than three decades of pastoral leadership and administrative experience, with a particular commitment to Catholic education, parish vitality, and mission-driven innovation. Father Bradley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, magna cum laude, from St. Alphonsus College and a Master of Divinity from Washington Theological Union, where his thesis focused on Popular Piety in the Redemptorist Tradition.

He also holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Professional Administration from Duquesne University, examining leadership competencies needed in a changing Church. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Systems Wisdom, and in May of 2025, Father earned a Doctor of Management degree in Strategic Leadership from Thomas Jefferson University.

His doctoral research explores how systemic design and problem-solving approaches can address the challenges facing Catholic parish elementary schools. Ordained in 1988, Father Bradley has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands, Redemptorist Provincial Vicar, Pastor, Rector, and Shrine Director of St.

Peter the Apostle Parish and the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia. His ministry reflects an integration of pastoral care, strategic leadership, and systems thinking in service of the Church and Catholic education.

Sr. Margaret Rose Adams, IHM With more than 40 years in Catholic education, Sister Margaret Rose Adams, IHM joined the Office of Catholic Education in August 2019 as Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, with responsibility for schools in Philadelphia County and Bucks County.

A Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, better known as an IHM, Sister has 17 years’ experience as a teacher and 22 years as a principal, serving in three dioceses. Here in Philadelphia, Sister ministered as principal at Ss. Simon and Jude School and Queen of Angels School.

Sister Margaret Rose earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and history at Immaculata University, where she later was awarded a master’s degree in educational leadership. In addition, she earned an M. A.

degree in history from Villanova University. She is also a certified Google educator. Sister Margaret Rose received the Pennsylvania affiliate of the Council on American Private Education (PACAPE) Early Education Administrator Award in 2016 for outstanding leadership at Queen of Angels Regional School.

Two years later, she earned the Lead. Learn. Proclaim Award from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) as Distinguished Principal of the Year, and as nominated by her faculty.

Sister is a frequent presenter at professional conferences and convocations. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels. Bishop Keith J.

Chylinski, a native of Schenectady, NY, was born on July 23, 1971. During his childhood, he moved to Hamden, Connecticut, and later to Strafford, Pa. He attended Conestoga High School in Berwyn and then Temple University, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree.

He was the music director at Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale for several years before entering priestly formation at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in 2001. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2006 and a Master of Arts degree in Theology in 2007. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Cardinal Justin Rigali on May 19, 2007.

After five years in parish ministry Bishop Chylinski studied clinical psychology and received his Master of Science degree in 2014 from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. That same year he was appointed to the faculty of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. In 2022 he was appointed rector of the seminary and oversaw the historic transition to its new location in Lower Gwynedd, Pa.

Bishop Chylinski was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia on March 7, 2024. He is entrusted with pastoral care of Episcopal Region II of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which encompasses the parishes of Montgomery County. Bishop Chylinski also has administrative responsibilities for the Ministry of Catholic Education.

He exercises leadership and authority over the secretaries and directors responsible for supporting the Office for Catholic Education, including elementary schools, secondary schools, and schools of special education. In that role, he also maintains relationships with Catholic colleges and universities in our local Church.

Tim Durkin is the Vice President for Grantmaking at the Connelly Foundation, where he leads a team of six professionals dedicated to the Foundation’s focus areas of Catholic Education, Human Services, Arts & Culture and Civic Renewal.

Founded in 1955 by John and Josephine Connelly, the Connelly Foundation’s Catholic education program is committed to the vision that all families have access to the high-quality school of their choosing and ongoing support to help their children succeed, pursue their passions, and become productive citizens who help the Philadelphia region thrive. Tim has engaged in a variety of civic roles over the years.

Most recently, he has led the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, a $17 million pooled fund from seven philanthropies designed to support Philadelphia-area programs celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. He also served on the 2026 Preparations Subcommittee of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Transition Team.

In addition to his board service with the Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education, Tim has served on the governance committee of the Nonprofit Repositioning Fund; the board of directors of the Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia; the board of trustees his alma mater, Germantown Academy; and the steering committee of the Wednesday Morning Group – a collection of Greater Philadelphia philanthropies committed to co-funding initiatives that address issues of importance to the City of Philadelphia.

Prior to joining the Connelly Foundation, Tim spent 17 years in various philanthropic staff and leadership roles at the Pew Charitable Trusts and began his professional career as a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds both a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and sociology and a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He is parishioner of St.

Philip Neri and lives in Lafayette Hill, PA with his wife Heather and children Abby and Jack. Michael J. Fitzgerald, D.

D. , J. D.

, J. C. D.

, V. G. Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia (retired) Most Reverend Michael J.

Fitzgerald is Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 2010, now retired (2023), and former Vicar for Catholic Education. Bishop Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 1970, a law degree from Villanova University in 1973, and a master of divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1980, the year he was ordained.

He was ordained a bishop on August 6, 2010. Bishop Fitzgerald is also a canon lawyer, awarded his degree by the Catholic University of America, and earned a doctorate degree in law from the Gregorian Institute in Rome. Bishop Fitzgerald has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal, as the founding director of the Office for Legal Services, and in the roles of Promoter of Justice and Judicial Vicar.

Rev. Msgr. Brian P.

Hennessy Rev. Msgr. Brian P.

Hennessy is Pastor of Saint Alphonsus Parish in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, a role he has held since 2018. Born on February 27, 1972, and raised in Audubon, Pennsylvania, he received his early education at Saint Teresa of Avila Parish School before graduating from Methacton High School in Fairview Village.

Following his freshman year at North Carolina State University, where he studied aerospace engineering, Monsignor Hennessy entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1990. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Divinity, and a Master of Arts degree, and later pursued advanced studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law. He also studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

Ordained to the priesthood on May 15, 1999, Monsignor Hennessy has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles, including Parochial Vicar of Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Hatfield, Assistant to the Vicar for Clergy, and Priest Secretary to the Archbishop of Philadelphia. From 2013 to 2018, he served as an Official in the Secretariat of State of His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican.

In addition to his parish leadership, Monsignor Hennessy holds several archdiocesan roles supporting Catholic elementary education, synodal coordination, and regional school leadership. Charles Ladner is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Columbia University (MBA), and Villanova University (M. A.)

He retired from UGI Corp. as chief financial officer in 1998 and from John Hancock Mutual Funds in 2010, where he served on the board for 31 years and as chairman from 2002 to 2006. Chuck is chairman emeritus of Dunwoody Village retirement community in Newtown Square. The parents of four adult children and nine grandchildren, Chuck and Diane are members of St.

Monica Parish in Berwyn. Matthew Manion is Professor of Practice in the Department of Management and Operations and the faculty director for the Center for Church Management in the Villanova University School of Business (VSB). His responsibilities include the Master of Science in Church Management degree, the Certificate in Church Management programs, and research and writing on relevant church management issues.

Matt’s professional experience also includes 18 years with the Catholic Leadership Institute, where he served as president and CEO for 13 years, growing it to an international leadership training and consulting organization with 26 full-time employees and $6. 1 million in annual revenues. This followed a strategic business development role with the Franklin Mint.

Matt earned a B. S. in economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and an M.

S. in church management from Villanova University. He is a graduate of St.

Laurence Catholic School and Monsignor Bonner High School. Matt and his wife, Kerri, and their three children live in Berwyn and are members of St. Monica Parish.

Andrew McCloskey is chief investment officer of the McCloskey Financial Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Notre Dame in 1992. Andrew serves on the board of the James A.

Finnegan Foundation and is a member of the Board of Governors of both St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and Philadelphia Country Club. Andrew also was a member of the Waldron Mercy Academy board, serving as chair from 2011 to 2015.

In June 2020, together with their families, Andrew and Jennifer Watts were married at St. Thomas of Villanova, where they are parishioners. They reside in Haverford and are proud parents of five children/stepchildren.

Andrew was elected president of the Ambassador’s Fund in June 2023. Sean McCloskey is director of strategic partnerships for New Pace Productions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond in 2003.

Sean serves on the board of Guadalupe Family Services in Camden, New Jersey, an organization that delivers counseling and social services to troubled families. He spent six happy years on the alumni board of the University of Richmond, serving two consecutive terms that ended in 2019. Sean lives in Wayne and is a member of St.

Thomas of Villanova Parish. Sean was elected board secretary in June 2023. Roger Messina serves as Chief Financial Officer of Villa Joseph Marie High School, an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

In this role, he oversees the school’s financial planning, workforce, and physical plant, supporting its mission of educating young women through faith, academic excellence, and service. Prior to joining Villa Joseph Marie in 2025, Mr. Messina spent more than three decades at SEI, where he served as Managing Director and Founder of the firm’s fiduciary management business.

During his 32-year tenure, he helped build the business into a national leader managing more than $100 billion in assets across approximately 400 clients, including corporations, healthcare organizations, higher education institutions, private schools, faith-based organizations, public entities, and Taft-Hartley plans. His leadership contributed to sustained operational growth and long-term financial success.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Messina held vice president positions with Merrill Lynch and Drexel Burnham Lambert, developing expertise in investment management and financial services. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Monmouth University.

Kathy McCloskey Neff has devoted her life to Catholic education, service, and leadership, continuing the McCloskey family’s long-standing commitment to faith, community, and opportunity for others. A lifelong educator and volunteer, Kathy has served as a teacher at Our Lady Help of Christians in Milwaukee and at Holy Child in Rosemont, bringing both academic excellence and deep care for students into the classroom.

Her commitment to young people extends beyond academics. Kathy spent 14 years as a field hockey coach at Saints Colman–John Neumann in Haverford, mentoring students through teamwork, discipline, and leadership. She has also given generously of her time as a classroom volunteer at St.

Rose of Lima in West Philadelphia and Holy Cross in Germantown. Kathy currently serves as Vice President of the Martin de Porres Foundation, where she helps advance the Foundation’s mission to expand access to high-quality Catholic education for children and families. Her work reflects both personal vocation and a broader family legacy rooted in service, stewardship, and educational equity.

Ryan Neff is a Digital Assurance and Transparency Manager in the Philadelphia office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and played varsity lacrosse and ice hockey.

He continued his education at Boston College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and information systems in 2018. Ryan is a member of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish and St Patrick’s in Philadelphia.

He is a great-great-grandson of Fund founder Matthew H. McCloskey, Jr., and serves on the Fund board with his uncles. Sister Monica Sicilia, IHM Sister Monica Sicilia, IHM, is a General Councilor of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and brings decades of experience in Catholic education, administration, and congregational leadership.

Deeply committed to the mission, vision, and charism of the IHM Congregation, she has dedicated her vocation to collaborative leadership, educational innovation, and service to the Church. Sister Monica holds a Bachelor of Arts from Immaculata University, a Master of Arts from Immaculata University, and a Master of Science from Philadelphia University. She is certified in Early Childhood Education (N–3) and School Administration (K–12).

Her professional ministry includes more than twenty years as a teacher and principal, serving in schools across the Archdioceses of Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Allentown, as well as work as an instructor and administrator at Immaculata University, including service as Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Having worked closely with the Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education and as a recipient of AFCE funding for her community’s Vocation Education Program, Sister Monica is honored to give back through board service, supporting Catholic education and formation with gratitude, experience, and a spirit of partnership.