The Aim Higher Foundation’s Growth Continued Through 2023

As we look to 2024, I'm filled with immense gratitude for the journey we've shared through 2023. The steadfast support of you, our donors and friends, has propelled the Aim Higher Foundation to new heights, and I'm thrilled to highlight some of our accomplishments from the past year in this month’s column.

At the beginning of any Aim Higher Foundation list, and always foremost in our hearts and minds, is the life-altering impact of the 2,330 scholarships we awarded to help 2,330 children attend a Catholic school serving grades K-8 in this Archdiocese. These scholarships have not only created access to a quality education, but we know they will be catalysts for brighter futures. They also represent nearly 13% of all students in K-8 Catholic schools in the Twin Cities!

Ricky Austin is the president of the Aim Higher Foundation

To celebrate our growth and help spread the word of our mission, we organized our inaugural Check Delivery Marathon in March, an event that saw 26 donors and friends personally delivering scholarship checks to 26 schools on the same day. Be on the lookout for the second annual event in March 2024!

May marked the launch of the Patrons Circle, a distinguished new group comprised of former board members, top donors, and dedicated advocates. This initiative will become a cornerstone of the Aim Higher Foundation in years to come, shaping our future trajectory through the collective wisdom and long-term commitment of our members.

In June, we hosted our first Building the Movement event in Stillwater, a gathering that underscored our commitment to expanding our impact in the Twin Cities metro area. The event was named after a quote from Archbishop Hebda who dubbed our work “a movement to inspire and mobilize all of us around the very soul of our future church and our nation: our children.”

Our outreach efforts this past summer also included the new Cocktails for a Cause event, where we welcomed new friends in a fun setting. We also hosted our second-annual Corporate Partners Event—where more than 40 leaders of businesses gathered to hear local business leaders talk about why Catholics schools are good for the work force.

The third annual Back-to-School Celebration on the Cathedral's lawn brought together over 200 scholars and their families. This heartwarming event featured our first backpack drive for new students and, of course, ice cream for all.

And, finally, as you’ve recently seen, the Night of Light on October 27 was a resounding success, with over 600 guests coming together to raise more than $850,000. This outpouring of generosity ensures that we can continue our mission and impact even more lives in the coming year.

Of course, none of the above is possible without the people who make our mission tick. In 2023 we welcomed esteemed individuals to our leadership team, including new board and committee members Jackie Daylor, Fr. Chris Collins, and Tom Margarit. We also introduced new team members—Christy, Claire, and Mike—who bring expertise and enthusiasm to our mission. Their dedication will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of the Aim Higher Foundation.

As we bid farewell to 2023, we must thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. For the list above and the lists to come—and always for the children we serve—may the future of our mission continue to bloom with boundless opportunities and shared successes.