Building Welcoming, Engaging, and Diverse School Communities
ABOUT US
Bridges for Schools is a program of the Crimsonbridge Foundation.
The Crimsonbridge Foundation is an entrepreneurial philanthropic organization that builds bridges of collaboration to create transformative solutions to improve the lives of our nation’s youth and families. We innovate and strategically invest in education, leadership development, environmental sustainability, and capacity building programs to help America’s youth and nonprofit organizations achieve their potential.
OUR WHOLE-COMMUNITY APPROACH
The Education Imperative is a research-based program of the Crimsonbridge Foundation seeking to increase access, enrollment, vitality, and Hispanic and Latino family engagement in Catholic schools. The Education Imperative activates a whole-community approach to help schools incorporate new ways to promote welcoming and inclusive environments for all families. Through the initiative, dioceses and schools receive guidance and support on investing in Spanish language and cultural capacity building, parent engagement, professional development strategies, tuition assistance, and research. Bridges for Schools is a crucial part of the Crimsonbridge Foundation’s Education Imperative.
BRIDGES FOR SCHOOLS TEAM
Founder and Executive Chair
President and CEO
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Senior Program Officer
Program Associate
VISION
Thriving Catholic schools with strong enrollment
​Schools that contribute to parish and Church vitality by welcoming students and families into the sacramental life of the Church
School communities with vibrant parent engagement, where all families are invited to share their gifts and talents
Schools that are representative of the rich and beautiful diversity of the Catholic Church in the United States
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER
At the Crimsonbridge Foundation, education is at the heart of everything we do.
First as a student and then as a parent and philanthropist, I witnessed the impact of Catholic education on students and families. These experiences inspire my philanthropy, which includes the development of programs that build bridges between Hispanic families and Catholic schools and parishes.
Over the past ten years, our team has partnered with dioceses, nonprofits, universities, and more than 70 Catholic schools to introduce, develop, and implement effective strategies to welcome and embrace Hispanic students and families. From increasing school capacity and staff morale to creating a stronger sense of student belonging and family engagement, to increased student enrollment, the results have been astounding. We believe that as communities of inclusion and belonging, Catholic education will remain a revitalizing force for the Church and beacons of hope for our country.
Join us and our partners in this growing movement!
Gabriela Smith
Founder and Executive Chair
Crimsonbridge Foundation