This gift matches the largest single gift in school history and will establish The John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship.
Saints Neumann Goretti High School in South Philadelphia has received a $350,000 gift from Mr. John M. Connolly and his wife, Kathy. John is a 1970 graduate of Bishop Neumann Catholic High School. This gift matches the largest single gift in the school’s history. $300,000 will be used to create The John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship. The remaining $50,000 is funding a scholarship in honor of his sister, Sara Connolly Canuso, a 1969 graduate of Saint Maria Goretti Catholic High School, and his brother-in-law, Vito.
In making this gift Mr. Connolly said, “This innovative center will not only serve students interested in pursuing all areas of business, finance, and marketing to help them become the leaders of tomorrow, but it will also provide an opportunity for the local business community to utilize the facility for conferences, seminars, and board meetings.”
Mr. Connolly has issued a challenge to the NG community and offered an additional gift of $50,000 toward the creation of the Connolly Center if we are able to match his donation.
Mr. Connolly is the Founder and Managing Director of Eaglehead Capital, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the Goldman Sachs Growth Group.
Mr. Tim Cairy ’94, President of Saints Neumann Goretti High School said, “I am grateful to John, Kathy and their family for their generosity and commitment to Saints Neumann Goretti and for advancing the mission of Catholic education for current and future students.” He continued, “This transformative gift will ignite, influence, and equip students with the skills and mindset required for a prosperous career in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.”
This forward-thinking initiative will allow the school to position itself as a hub for corporations and business entities to invest ideas and resources into a dynamic, one-of-a-kind educational center that will serve as a career pipeline for students as they move from middle school, through secondary, and higher education, and beyond.
The John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship is projected to open in the fall of 2024 and will be located on the first floor of the school.
The school is currently involved in its YES, WE CAN Annual Appeal and is asking those interested to support the Today-Tomorrow-Forever Fund. 100% of the money raised by this fund will directly benefit the young men and women who attend Saints Neumann Goretti. In addition, with the announcement of the new The John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship, supporters have the opportunity to be directly involved in the school’s newest venture.
For additional information on Saints Neumann Goretti’s YES, WE CAN Annual Appeal and the Today-Tomorrow-Forever Fund, please contact Nikki Kane ’08, Director of Institutional Advancement, at [email protected].
Background Information on Saints Neumann and Goretti High School
The present, co-educational Saints Neumann Goretti Catholic High School was formed in 2004. Along with its predecessors Saint Maria Goretti for Girls and Southeast Catholic, Bishop Neumann, and Saint John Neumann for Boys high schools, the school boasts a proud 90-year tradition of Catholic High School education in South Philadelphia.
The school serves a diverse student population in South Philadelphia. Through the school’s core values of Compassion, Courage, and Commitment, its graduates are spiritually grounded, academically prepared, and world citizens.
For additional information on Saints Neumann and Goretti High School, please visit neumanngorettihs.org/.
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Editor’s Note:
For more information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.aopcatholicschools.org/.
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