"And now you know...the rest of the story.”

Paul Harvey, a celebrated journalist, would often finish his show with a famous line – “And now you know...the rest of the story.” It was a suggestion that you received a full and balanced summary of the news. I thought of Paul Harvey’s quote this weekend as I read a NY Times story which, from my personal experience and knowledge working at Big Shoulders Fund, was not balanced. The title of the NY Times article by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio says it all – “A Growing Number of Catholic Schools Are Shutting Down Forever.” The author cites examples of closings nationally amidst COVID. Like many industries and sectors, education, at all levels, has been impacted by COVID’s wake of health and economic upheaval. Catholic schools are no different nor immune from COVID’s impact. While this reporter found examples of cities with Catholic schools closing, like New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Harrisburg, she did not choose to share even one that did not have any closings. Or, for that matter, cities who have put a stake in the ground to fight to keep such schools open, particularly in under-resourced communities where they provide a great civic service. Indeed, there were Catholic schools closing nationally amidst COVID, but there is also...“the rest of the story.”

Here in Chicago at Big Shoulders Fund, an independent non-profit, we have not seen our schools closing and none amidst COVID. Even more, we recently signed a 10 year agreement to ensure our network of 75 schools serving 20,000 children – 80 percent African American and Hispanic and nearly 70 percent living in poverty – remain open for the long-term. Our stake in the ground for these schools represents a more than $50M philanthropic commitment from an unbelievable group of supporters who want to ensure our schools remain vibrant, community-based organizations helping to bridge the economic and racial divides that plague our country. As Joe Cahill wrote in Crain’s Chicago Business, “The <Big Shoulders> Fund's financial rescue plan for 30 schools on the West and South sides provides a potential model for linking the resources and talents of corporate Chicago to communities in need.” We also recently initiated a $16M investment to do the same for a group of Catholic schools in and around Gary, Indiana which serve a similar population as our schools in Chicago. I am sorry that this reporter did not reach out to us and others to provide a balanced story. There are indeed challenges in Catholic education but also great successes and stories of impact, particularly when it comes to serving under-resourced communities during times of great need.

During COVID, I would say our schools have been at their best doing what they have done for generations – serving everyone in their community. Amidst COVID, our Big Shoulders Fund schools have given out over 100,000 meals (and counting!), distributed free PPE, hosted COVID testing sites, and more to help our fellow citizens. Our schools have also shown tremendous innovation and ingenuity to open and serve their students, families and communities. “And now you know...the rest of the story.”