The Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston will give $2.1 million towards an initiative to help families afford tuition at Jewish kindergartens, according to The Boston Globe.
Writes the Globe:
The Discover Day School Initiative will provide financial aid to families earning up to $250,000 annually, but who may not be able to afford the average $16,000 tuition cost at an elementary Jewish day school. Research showed that many middle- to upper-middle-income families felt they would not qualify for aid, an official said.
“We’re trying to change that,’’ said Gil Preuss, executive vice president of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, a nonprofit federation of Jewish agencies. “We’re looking to help people who could use some financial assistance, as well as to send a message to others, that there may be more money available than they think.’’
By reaching out to kindergartners, the program also aims to strengthen and increase enrollment at Jewish day schools. Currently, 13 schools, including three high schools, have a combined enrollment of 2,760 students in kindergarten to Grade 12, according to Preuss.
The program, which will start in the 2011-12 school year, will award up to $4,000 annually in financial aid to families. The program is funded with money from 16 Jewish donors, with a lead gift of an undisclosed amount from Liz and George Krupp of Newton, Preuss said.
