Nativity School of Worcester Receives Historic $1.8 Million Gift

Nativity School of Worcester has received a $1.8 million gift from the late Catherine Butler to strengthen the educational experience and impact at the school. Butler’s transformative estate gift significantly grows the school’s endowment and will advance Nativity Worcester’s mission, which provides a tuition-free, quality Jesuit education for middle school boys from under-resourced communities. 

Nativity Worcester is solely funded through contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations, and Butler’s donation is the largest gift received in the school’s 18-year history. Chick Weiss, Nativity Worcester Co-founder, Board of Trustees Member, and friend of Catherine Butler, notes “Catherine, an educator and counselor, spoke passionately of the value of a personalized, rigorous education in shaping young people’s lives and providing for them a lifetime of opportunities. She carefully followed the establishment and progress of Nativity School of Worcester, saved every letter, pamphlet and report, and contributed regularly.  Catherine’s gift will have a tremendous impact on our community and inspire others, who believe in the power of education, to follow her generous lead.”

“Catherine’s remarkable gift strengthens Nativity Worcester’s existing educational endowment and will enable us to improve our holistic Jesuit education. Her generosity establishes the Catherine Butler Fund and ensures that we will continue to afford talented young men a life-changing opportunity,” said Nativity Worcester President Tom McKenney.

Nativity Worcester offers a personalized learning environment with small class sizes, an extended school day, and a summer session for all students. Additionally, Nativity Worcester provides graduates crucial support following their 8th grade graduation, including academic tutoring and tuition assistance to ensure they persist on their secondary and post-secondary educational journey. One-hundred percent of Nativity Worcester high school-aged graduates are currently enrolled in high school and on track to graduate, which is well above average for boys from historically marginalized communities. The Nativity Worcester educational experience is tuition-free and made possible by generous supporters like Catherine Butler. Learn more about Nativity Worcester and how to donate at nativityworcester.org