“Poverty is pervasive in St. Louis, and sadly, it’s placing way too many children behind the educational starting line,” executive director Julie Soffner says. “Simply based on where they live, a student may not have access to a school that matches their needs and offers the tools needed to unlock their potential. We offer scholarships and financial assistance to make better education possible.” While TTEF is a Catholic organization, it offers scholarships to all families, regardless of religious affiliation. Parents select a private or parochial school that will best serve their children but is beyond their financial reach, and the nonprofit awards a need-based scholarship to make it achievable.
The success of TTEF’s work can be seen in the numbers: 100% of students make it to eighth grade graduation, 89% are enrolled in a college prep high school, 99% complete their secondary education and 87% go on to attend a postsecondary institution, according to Soffner. “We provide an educational foundation so scholars can move forward and improve their lives,” she says. “When we help a student enroll in school, we are making a nine-year commitment to them, from kindergarten to grade eight. To make this possible, we rely on community support in so many ways—whether its donations or helping the amazing schools we partner with.”
The pandemic has increased the need for TTEF’s services. “The families that require financial assistance are disproportionately struggling because of the difficulty to rebound and navigate emerging economic challenges,” Soffner notes. “Not only is there increased inflation, but many of these parents work in some of the hardest hit industries. We may be emerging from the pandemic, but we’ll be feeling the residual impact for years to come. Scholarships have never meant more than they do now.” The organization has also seen area schools struggling with the challenges of COVID-19, including an increased reliance on donors to continue to serve families and provide the technology necessary for remote learning.
Every year, TTEF helps more than 5,500 children attend a school that works for them, and raising the money to help fund the next school year is critical during the summer. “St. Louis is so generous in helping students achieve their potential,” Soffner says. “Since our inception, we have raised more than $175 million in need-based tuition. We are helping to reduce poverty, boost the local economy and allow these kids to change their future. Every child deserves a chance, and we’re that chance for many in St. Louis.”
The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation allows local students in kindergarten through grade eight to attend the private or parochial school of their choice through need-based scholarships. Pictured on the cover: Board chairman Kevin Short and executive director Julie Soffner with TTEF scholars. For more information, call 314.792.7777 or visit ttef-stl.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured at top: Executive director Julie Soffner and board chairman Kevin Short
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography