Thanks to the thoughtful generosity of an anonymous donor over 10 years ago and the ongoing stewardship of the Catholic Community Foundation, the Angel Scholarship for social work and justice continues to transform lives one student at a time. Ryleigh, now a sophomore at Arizona State University, is one such student. Learn about this scholarship’s impact on Ryleigh and how you can personalize your own legacy fund.
Inspired as a young girl at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral School, by the example of older students receiving faith-based awards, Ryleigh never imagined she would one day be honored in the same way. Last year, she was awarded the Angel Scholarship to support her studies in social work, peace, and justice, turning early inspiration into a lifelong calling. With the Foundation’s prudent and Catholic-based investment management, the scholarship fund endures, continuing to uplift students like Ryleigh, helping them translate Catholic values into compassionate action.
The Angel Scholarship is aptly named—by helping dedicated students fund their social work education, it supports a lifetime of loving service to others in need. This opportunity is for college-bound students pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work or peace and justice studies.
Founded in 2012 by an anonymous benefactor dedicated to helping those in poverty, the scholarship’s purpose is to provide $5,000 toward freshman-year tuition at a four-year college or university in Arizona. The donor had a keen interest in helping the underserved and underprivileged and hoped this scholarship would encourage young men and women to consider a life of service through social work.
Now a sophomore at Arizona State University, Ryleigh is pursuing a degree at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions while also participating in Barrett Honors College. Her academic achievements and involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrate that she's truly embodying the values instilled in her throughout her years of Catholic education, and she’s just getting started!
“Being surrounded by students who share a passion for public service has inspired me to become a character-driven leader. I’ve found a meaningful way to give back, guided by the same principles required through the scholarships offered through the Catholic Community Foundation,” Ryleigh explains.
Generous donors establish and fund scholarships, such as the one Ryleigh received, creating opportunities for students to succeed academically and spiritually. Investing in students strengthens families, parishes, and the broader Catholic community. By supporting Catholic education, we help nurture the next generation of faith-driven leaders and ensure the vitality of Catholic education for years to come.
In addition to managing privately funded scholarship endowments, the Catholic Community Foundation oversees gifts made to the Education Forever Fund, which provides tuition assistance to Catholic high school students within our Diocese. The Education Forever Fund is an established endowment to which anyone can contribute at any time, funding both service-based and needs-based scholarships.
To those generous donors who make all of the Catholic Community Foundation scholarships possible, Ryleigh shares a heartfelt message of gratitude: “Catholic education is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Because of your support, I’m now able to pursue my dreams, centered on the ideals of public service and the common good, the values that I’ve cherished since kindergarten. Thank you for investing not just in students but in the bright future of our Church, our communities, and our world!”
To learn more about a memorial scholarship, contributing to the Education Forever Fund, or personalizing your legacy plan, contact the experts at the Foundation at 480-651-8800 for more information.