Supporting Educators in Western Washington
Fulcrum invests in the people who make Catholic education extraordinary. These investments strengthen classrooms, enrich school communities, and ensure that the mission of Catholic education continues to transform lives for generations to come.
Supporting Educators Through Our Grants and Investments
Fulcrum supports leadership development, continuing education, and creating a transformative learning experiences for every student through grant programs, and strategic annual investments.
Supporting Schools Through Our Grants
The Fulcrum Foundation promotes excellence in school leadership through the Educational Leadership Scholarship Grant Program.
For more information contact:
Susan Ocoma
Senior Programs Director
206.748.7988
susan.ocoma@fulcrumfoundation.org
Educational Leadership Grant Program
The Fulcrum Foundation promotes excellence in leadership and teaching through the Educational Leadership Grant Program. Grants through this program support aspiring administrators and principals seeking principal certification or graduate-level degree programs at one of our partner universities.
Partner universities include:
• Boston College
• Creighton University
• Gonzaga University
• Seattle University
• Saint Martin’s University
• University of Chicago, Loyola
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Portland
• University of San Francisco
Application Posts Online: Mid-January 2027
Application Due Date: Early April 2027
Strategic Investments
Fulcrum invests annually in the Office for Catholic Schools efforts to build leadership capacity in schools by identifying, forming, and retaining high-quality leaders at every level.
• Leadership Academy
In partnership with the Office Catholic Schools, GRACE (Growing Resilient Authentic Catholic Educators) and the High School Instructional Leadership Program for high school department chairs develop strong instructional leaders who are also outstanding teachers. Teacher-leaders may remain in their classroom roles or
become school administrators while leading professional development at their schools.
• GRACE Program and the High School Instructional Leadership Program
In partnership with the Office Catholic Schools, GRACE (Growing Resilient Authentic Catholic Educators) and the High School Instructional Leadership Program for high school department chairs develop strong instructional leaders who are also outstanding teachers. Teacher-leaders may remain in their classroom roles or become school administrators while leading professional development at their schools.
For more information contact:
Kelly Surapaneni Coordinator of Leadership Development kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org
St. John Baptist de la Salle Educator Excellence Award
The Fulcrum Foundation presents an annual St. John Baptist de la Salle Educator Excellence Award to distinguished educators in our archdiocese. St. John Baptist de la Salle, the patron saint of teachers, devoted his life to the education of young people.
Nominees are considered for their unwavering commitment to mission and Catholic identity, their leadership and inspiring presence in their school community, their dedication to academic excellence, and their efforts to go above and beyond to ensure the viability and sustainability of their school. The criteria for Fulcrum’s new award are based on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, or more frequently referred to as the NSBECS.
Awardees are honored in multiple ways, including within their local school communities.
Accepting Nominations for the 2026/27 St. John Baptist de la Salle Award: March 1, 2026-April 15, 2026
Martine Romero, Ed.D.
Former Principal
St. Madeleine Sophie School
Bellevue
Fulcrum has granted me tuition assistance for my graduate course work at the University of Notre Dame in the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program. I will graduate with a Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership, fully prepared to be a leader for Catholic schools. Without financial support from Fulcrum, I would not have been able to attend this program.