The Franciscan Heritage Foundation was founded in 2018 after several board members of the original Franciscan Center in South Buffalo initiated a new foundation to carry on the Franciscan tradition of generosity and benevolence. Since that formation, The Franciscan Heritage Foundation has donated more than $75,000 to Catholic grammar schools and high schools across Western New York. The schools we are honored to support are Bishop Timon-St. Jude, Cardinal O’Hara, Mount Mercy Academy, Notre Dame Academy, St. Mary's High School in Lancaster, NY and St. Peter and Paul in Hamburg, NY.
The Mission of The Franciscan Heritage Foundation is to foster Catholic Education through Financial Support in the Western New York region for both boys and girls in Catholic grammar schools and Catholic high schools. In particular, this Financial Support is largely based on NEED and not necessarily academic or athletic prowess.
For the second consecutive year, Franciscan Heritage Executive Board Member Mark Kasperczyk was honored to present a check for $ 7,500 to Mount Mercy Head of School Michele Melligan. Overall, this is the 4th consecutive year a check has been presented to Mount Mercy to assist with tuition and programs for students.
Pictured above is Mike Rizzo from the Franciscan Heritage Foundation and Cardinal O'Hara High School Principal Jolene Dimitroff. Mike, who is a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara himself, was proud to present Ms. Dimitroff with a check for $ 7,500 to lend support with tuition assistance and to help expand programs at O'Hara on behalf of the students.
Pictured above is Mark Tramont, Vice President of Advancement, St. Mary's High School, Franciscan Heritage Executive Board Member Mark Kasperczyk presenting a check to St. Mary's High School, and Kevin Kelleher, Head of St. Mary's High School and 1989 graduate.
Mark Kasperczyk, Executive Board Member of The Franciscan Heritage Foundation of Western New York, recently presented a check for $5,000 to Ms. Jenn Maslakowski to use to enhance the PBIS program at Notre Dame Academy.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based method used to establish a climate where appropriate student behavior is the norm. PBIS improves school climate and creates an atmosphere where all students can succeed. The focus of PBIS is prevention, not punishment. PBIS asks schools to teach students positive behavior strategies, just as they would teach any other subject.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Mark Kasperczyk and the Franciscan Heritage Foundation for a donation of $7,500 to St. Mary’s High School. Mark is an Executive Board Member with the organization and also a proud Lancer Dad! His daughters, Allison ‘03 and Lindsey ‘05, are St. Mary’s alumni. Mark is pictured here with our CFO, Rob Cavallari.
Mark Kasperczyk, Executive Board Member of the FHF presents a check to Principal Michele Melligan, as students Alicia Fedele and Paige Lapadat look on. This was the first of what we hope to be multiple gifts to Mount Mercy Academy.
Tim Maloney, Executive Board Member of the Franciscan Heritage Foundation presents our initial check to Notre Dame Academy. Their longstanding reputation as a pillar of Catholic education in the Southtowns and the continued dedication of parents, staff and administration makes this institution a deserving recipient. We are delighted to continue our commitment to Notre Dame Academy as we expand the number of schools we are assisting this year.
