The Sioux Falls Catholic Schools wanted to give Bishop Robert Carlson a special “thank you” before he departed for his new assignment in Saginaw, MI.
What SFCS came up with was the establishment of the Bishop Robert J. Carlson Endowment Fund.
“The news of Bishop Carlson being assigned to Saginaw, evoked many feelings of gratitude for all he has done over the past 11 years,” said Mike Flynn, executive director of the SFCS Foundation, in announcing formation of the endowment.
SFCS asked how it might express their our thanks. Schools officials thought the idea of a permanent endowment would be perfect.
“This named endowment will serve as a way to acknowledge, forever, the work of Bishop Carlson in our community,” said Dr. Tom Lorang, superintendent of Sioux Falls Catholic Schools.
Endowment funds are invested, with only a small percentage being spent each year on the named cause.
The key to establishing the endowment rested on Bishop Carlson’s hard work over the years to help make Catholic education accessible to all families, regardless of their financial means.
The Bishop Robert I. Carlson Endowment Fund will document his work in both of these areas and funds from the endowment will help his work to live on,” said Flynn.
SFCS administrators pointed out that because the new endowment fund will be a pooled amount from many participants, any size monetary gift is welcome.
The fund administrators plan to gather donation cards submitted, place them into leather binders and present them to Bishop Carlson sometime in March.
The endowment fund will also remain open for future contributions in Bishop Carlson’s name.
For more information on this new endowment, you can contact the SFCS Foundation at:
3100 West 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 or by calling 605-336-6241.