Celebrating Our History
The Fulcrum Foundation was founded in March 2002 to support Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Its mission is to increase access to Catholic education throughout Western Washington. For more than 20 years, Fulcrum has leveraged financial support to aid the students and schools that have needed it most.
Fulcrum continues to serve the Catholic schools, educators, and students in Western Washington, helping them achieve a better, brighter future, and will strive to make a quality Catholic education more accessible to any family who wants it.
Milestones
2023
Fulcrum establishes the Innovative Housing Project at St. Alphonsus Parish in Ballard. The parish’s repurposed convent provides affordable housing to Catholic school teachers in an increasingly high cost of living area.
2022
Fulcrum celebrates its 20th anniversary with the unforgettable “Banquet at the Ballpark” Celebration of Light at T-Mobile Park. This incredible event raised a record-breaking $2.9 million in support of Catholic schools and students.
2021
In partnership with the Ferry Family Charitable Foundation, Fulcrum launches the Becraft Scholars Program, an equity-based scholarship program designed to serve the students furthest from educational justice. The program supports students and families through their educational journey from grades K-8 through scholarship funding and community building.
2020
Fulcrum approves the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to aid archdiocesan schools during the pandemic. From August to December, Fulcrum distributes nearly $3 million in grants to 50 schools, allowing them to provide tuition assistance to families and purchase much-needed technology upgrades, cleaning supplies, and personal and workspace protective equipment.
2019
The Fulcrum Early Childhood Education Fund is established through the Seattle Foundation by generous donors Dick and Sharon Abrams. This endowment supports Catholic early childhood education programs in the archdiocese in a variety of ways including tuition assistance, facilities grants, assessments and curriculum.
2018
Fulcrum launches an ambassador program, designed to increase brand awareness and build relationships with the western Washington Catholic schools. The ambassadors engage in school tours and serve as a foundation representative at Fulcrum events.
2017
Fulcrum, in partnership with the Office for Catholic Schools, launches two teacher leadership programs: GRACE (Guiding Regionally Advancing Catholic Education) for elementary school teachers and the High School Instructional Leadership Program for high school department chairs.
2016
Fulcrum partners with Turnstyle Studio to launch its new brand and visual identity.
2015
Fulcrum launches its Building Diversity & Inclusion Program to assist schools in welcoming students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or class by increasing accessibility, promoting academic excellence and increasing cultural competency of teachers and staff.
2014
Fulcrum partners with Visitation school in Tacoma to create the first Catholic STEM Academy in the Archdiocese.
2013
Fulcrum partners with 2 schools to create first of their kind programs in the Archdiocese, St. Therese Catholic Academy’s (Seattle) blended learning program and two-way language immersion at Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy (Tacoma).
2012
Fulcrum surpasses more than $1 million awarded in general tuition assistance grants.
2011
Fulcrum receives its largest donation from a single donor, over $11 million dollars from the estate of Ted and Connie Hossfeld.
2010
Fulcrum distributes over $2.5M in assistance to schools, teachers and families, making it the largest distribution of funds in a single year to schools in Archdiocesan history and a 310% increase since Fulcrum’s inception.
2009
The Embracing Our Legacy capital campaign soundly surpasses its goal, raising nearly $43 million for Catholic education.
2008
Fulcrum’s sixth annual Celebration of Light gala reaches a record-breaking $1 million in donations.
2007
Fulcrum’s young professional group, Amici, is founded.
2006
Fulcrum’s Legacy Society is formed to recognize donors who have included Fulcrum in their estate plans.
2005
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donates $7.5 million to Fulcrum.
2004
Fulcrum begins its five-year Embracing Our Legacy capital campaign, with a goal of raising $40 million to benefit Catholic education.
2003
Fulcrum hosts its inaugural Celebration of Light gala, raising over $500,000.
2002
Under the leadership of Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett and Father Stephen Rowan, the Fulcrum Foundation is established in Seattle as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.