For the fourth consecutive year, the Faith in Education Endowment is helping Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama Catholic Schools turn ideas into opportunities for students, teachers, and school communities.

The 2026 Faith in Education grant awards were announced during the Catholic Schools Office’s annual Formation Day in September. This year, 11 applications were submitted, with ten grants funded benefitting nine Catholic schools across the diocese. The projects reflect the varied needs of Catholic school communities while sharing a common purpose: advancing the mission of Catholic education in ways that may extend beyond a school’s established budget.

At Holy Family Catholic School in Huntsville, grant funding will help strengthen the school library through new books, technology, and furniture. St. Joseph Regional Catholic School in Florence will add two part-time instructional support positions to provide additional assistance for students and teachers.

Several grants will expand learning opportunities in specific academic areas. St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Birmingham will implement the Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum for students in grades 3-8, while teachers at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Montevallo will receive multisensory reading training. Sacred Heart Catholic School in Cullman will upgrade its computer lab with new technology, furniture, and coding resources.

The arts will also benefit. Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in Birmingham will expand its music program with ukuleles, equipment, and music books. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Homewood will create an outdoor garden classroom and expand student access to audiobooks.

At St. James Catholic School in Gadsden, funding will provide a new double slide to enhance the school playground. Prince of Peace Catholic School in Hoover will expand its Montessori-based SALT religious formation program into kindergarten, extending an initiative previously supported through Faith in Education.

Established in 2022, Faith in Education is both a financial and spiritual commitment to the future of Catholic education in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. Its annual grants provide schools with resources to address priority needs, respond to unexpected challenges, and pursue innovative programs that might otherwise remain beyond their reach.

The growing reach of the program has been made possible through the generosity of donors from throughout the diocese. This year, supporters responded to an ambitious $100,000 annual campaign goal and exceeded it. Those gifts strengthen both the long-term endowment and the funds available to support schools through grants.

Each award represents more than a funded project. Together, they demonstrate what is possible when a diocese shares responsibility for the future of its Catholic schools. From literacy and technology to music, faith formation, student support, and play, Faith in Education is creating opportunities for schools to continue forming students in mind, body, and spirit and helping ensure that Catholic education remains strong for generations to come.

The 2026-2027 Faith in Education fundraising goal is to raise $115,000 by July 31, 2027. To join in this campaign and support our schools, please visit bhmdiocese.org/faith-in-education-endowment.