Annual Report 2016–2017 Letter from Cardinal Dolan
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Annual Report 2016–2017 Letter from Cardinal Dolan Dear friends: For many people, the mention for the Alfred E. Smith Memorial of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation: to honor the memory Foundation immediately brings of Governor Smith by raising funds to mind one thing: the Al Smith for New York’s neediest children. dinner! After the success of the Yes, the dinner is an evening of first memorial dinner, Cardinal elegance, humor, and patriotism, Francis Spellman established a but it is also an evening of grati- foundation in 1946 to continue the tude, service, and generosity. legacy of Alfred Emanuel Smith, In that same spirit of gratitude, I New York’s first Roman Catholic offer to you this inaugural Alfred E. governor and the first Catholic Smith Memorial Foundation annual to run for President of the United report. It gives us the opportunity States. By all accounts, Governor to highlight the incredible organi- Smith was a man who sympa- zations supported by Foundation thized with the hopes, needs, and grants and to thank the many in- struggles of New Yorkers and who dividuals, like you, who have made fought relentlessly against the the Foundation’s work possible. inequities of his time. On behalf of the Alfred E. Smith Since its inception, the Memorial Foundation Board of Foundation has been honored Directors, thank you for your loyal to host numerous presidential support, encouragement, and candidates at its annual dinner, generosity throughout these many as well as some of the greatest years. May God bless you and your statesmen and government loved ones! officials of our modern age. But while the Al Smith Dinner is Faithfully, certainly a celebration of our American patrimony, it is also an opportunity to gather together and support the charitable works of the Foundation. TIMOTHY CARDINAL DOLAN 2016 Alfred E. Smith Memorial And this, my friends, is the reason Chair, Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Foundation Dinner 2016–2017 ANNUAL REPORT 2 Letter from Mary Erdoes Over seventy years ago, the Alfred E. Smith these grantee organizations share a com- Memorial Foundation was founded with mon commitment to uphold the dignity and one mission: to “perpetuate the ideals of value of young lives. From an infant pallia- Governor Alfred E. Smith by raising funds tive care program to education initiatives in to render voluntary aid to the poor, the Harlem and the South Bronx, the works of sick, and the under-privileged, regardless of these organizations consistently demon- race, creed, or color.” Seven decades later, strate their passion for and dedication to this could not be more important for the the communities they serve. city of New York. Each and every day, those We are honored to partner with our grant- who give their time and financial resourc- ees in their efforts to bring hope to fellow es to the Foundation work to sustain this New Yorkers, and it is with great pride that mission and, in doing so, make a difference Letter from we present to you the 2016–2017 Alfred E. in the lives of the most vulnerable citizens Smith Memorial Foundation grantees. As around us. Bettina Alonso you will read, your generosity has profound Thanks to our many donors, big and small, and life-changing implications for your we have been able to distribute more than fellow New Yorkers. Thank you for your $2.5 million to many not-for-profit organiza- invaluable role in this work! tions. And while their missions are diverse, One of the greatest joys of my work as the As a result of this success, the Foundation Sincerely, Foundation’s executive director is witness- was able to provide more grant funding ing the incredible generosity and commit- than in any previous year, and we hope to ment of our donors. Some of our most loyal continue this trajectory of increased sup- supporters have given to the Foundation port for the children in New York who need MARY ERDOES for nearly 40 years! But whether you still it most. Vice Chair, Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation remember Secretary of State Henry Kissing- Please know of our deepest appreciation er’s 1974 dinner speech or are completely for your overwhelming generosity. Your new to the Foundation, all of you have con- contribution matters, and we hope you find tributed to its development and growth. great inspiration in learning more about And 2016–2017 was certainly a year of the incredible organizations that you have growth for the Foundation. Then-presiden- helped sustain. tial candidates Donald Trump and Hillary With gratitude, Clinton were our speakers for the annual dinner, which raised a record $5.9 million in charitable contributions. BETTINA ALONSO Executive Director, Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation 2016–2017 ANNUAL REPORT 4 Grants Overview 2016–2017 by the Numbers $15,792,352 TOTAL GRANT AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN 2005 AND 2016 48% 43% Education Cultural and $2,560,000 ($1,230,000) Social Services TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED BETWEEN “Al Smith epitomized the ($1,100,000) 2016 AND 2017 irrepressible spirit of his time and his country. He never flinched from 9% a battle, but he never let the battle Health consume him. His compassion ($230,000) and his dreams sustained him because he knew that all great achievements begin as ideals.” — Henry Kissinger, 1974 Al Smith Dinner 2015 Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner 2016–2017 ANNUAL REPORT 6 01 Education Grants “While Al Smith lived, the least of God’s children knew they were Partnership Schools Partnership Schools is a school manage- never completely alone. And to this day, long after he has met his 488 KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS RECEIVED ment organization whose mission is to maker, thanks to the many charitable efforts of the Memorial INNER-CITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND SUPPORT develop outstanding Catholic elementary schools in Harlem and the South Bronx. Foundation, the poor, the sick, and the underprivileged of New York These schools provide low-income students know they can still count on Al Smith as a faithful friend.” with the academic preparation, values, and skills they need to break the cycle of poverty — Colin Powell, 2002 Al Smith Dinner $1,230,000 and lead fulfilling productive lives. GIVEN IN EDUCATION GRANTS Camp Veritas Inner-City Scholarship Fund Catholic Education Advancement Located in the foothills of the Catskill Moun- tains, Camp Veritas exists exclusively for the The Inner-City Scholarship Fund provides Catholic Education Advancement (CEA) San Miguel Academy of Newburgh purpose of inspiring and forming teenagers financially needy families the opportunity coordinates all fundraising efforts on behalf San Miguel Academy is a tuition-free in their Catholic faith. Camp Veritas is a one- to give their children a quality, values- of the nine new Catholic school regions faith-based school for fifth through eighth week sleep-away pilgrimage experience that based K–12 Catholic education within the to fortify enrollment, provide capital graders from underserved families. The involves full immersion in the Catholic faith Archdiocese of New York. Inner-City exists repairs, and enhance curricula. As part of Academy utilizes small class sizes, extended through sacraments, catechesis, interaction to ensure that the benefits of an excellent its Retention Scholarship Initiative, CEA school days, and an extended school year with members of clergy and religious orders Catholic school education and formation offers financial support to students who with a summer program to fight the cycle of — and plenty of fun, from sports to talent continue to be a reality for students of all can only remain in a Catholic school with poverty through education. faiths today and for future generations. tuition assistance. shows to exploring the great outdoors. 2016–2017 ANNUAL REPORT 8 Catholic Charities $1,100,000 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese GIVEN IN CULTURAL AND SOCIAL of New York provides social services SERVICES GRANTS to protect and nurture children and youth, feed the hungry and shelter the homeless, strengthen families and resolve crises, support the physically 11 and emotionally challenged, and welcome and integrate immigrants CATHOLIC CHARITIES AFFILIATE 02 and refugees. AGENCIES SUPPORTED BY Cultural & FOUNDATION FUNDING Affiliate agencies supported by funding for Catholic Social Services Charities included: • Astor Services for Children Grants 5,000,000 & Families ANNUAL VISITORS TO SAINT • Cardinal McCloskey PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL Community Services • Catholic Big Sisters/Big Brothers • Catholic Guardian Services • Good Counsel, Inc. • Good Shepherd Services “None in our generation more warmly • Incarnation Children’s Center sympathized with the needs, the hopes, • Little Sisters of the Assumption • The New York Foundling [and] the aspirations of humanity than • Pregnancy Care Center did Governor Smith.” • Saint Dominic’s Home — Dwight Eisenhower, 1954 Al Smith Dinner Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Affectionately referred to as “America’s Parish,” Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of New York and one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Since opening its doors in 1878, the cathedral has welcomed millions of visitors from every race, nationality, and belief system. The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation contributed to the Cathedral’s restoration project, which has focused on stained-glass repair, stone cleaning, and a geothermal heating and cooling system. 2016–2017 ANNUAL REPORT 10 03 Health Care Grants Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center The National Gianna Center for “In those days, the federal government Located in Yonkers, NY, the Elizabeth Women’s Health and Fertility 201,000 was not overly responsive to Seton Pediatric Center provides pediatric, The doctors and healthcare professionals SQUARE FOOTAGE OF NEW FACILITY rehabilitative, and palliative care for children at the National Gianna Center for Women’s FOR VENTILATOR-DEPENDENT human suffering. There was no with multiple physical and neurological Health and Fertility provide general CHILDREN AT THE ELIZABETH ANN social security.