Independence Mission Schools

Independence Mission Schools boldly embarks on our next phase to provide high-quality education to children of all faiths in the city of Philadelphia with the revitalization of the St. Malachy School, which has been educating children in the North Philadelphia community for over 150 years.

St. Malachy School

St. Malachy School has nearly 200 students, but has the potential to educate so many more. The IMS goal is to expand offerings to accommodate an additional 350 deserving students, in a neighborhood which lacks high-quality education alternatives. The new 21st century learning facility will support:

• advanced and remedial math and reading programs
• increased capacity for differentiated instruction
• configurable classrooms to support children with different learning styles and special needs
• advanced technology to promote digital, cloud-based learning
• a new Pre-K program for 3 and 4 year-olds.

To accomplish this goal, IMS purchased has begun renovating the William H. Harrison School at 1012 W. Thompson St., one block north of Girard Ave., and one block east of N. Broad St. This facility, closed by the School District of Philadelphia in 2012, was made available through the district’s fast track sale process, carrying a $1.365 million purchase price for the land and building. After making the transformation into a 21st-century learning facility, IMS plans to relocate nearby St. Malachy School, moving its current 200 students and providing a rich learning environment for the entire community.

Why an Independence Mission School?

As you walk through the doors of an IMS school, several things are immediately apparent — the sense of safety and security, the expectation of excellence, the commitment to service and faith, and the sense of purpose for the future. Our network of 15 schools builds on the legacy of Catholic education in Philadelphia, which has nurtured thousands of successful citizens and leaders. It transforms this legacy into the educational opportunity today’s students so desperately need and deserve. Supported by a broad coalition of civic leaders, philanthropists, parents and community members, IMS schools provide a high-quality elementary educational option that fosters tomorrow’s leaders in some of our city’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.

Join Our Mission

We all know these are challenging times for education in the City of Philadelphia. Declining test scores, weekly reports of violence, and ongoing budget cutbacks have impacted students. Coupled with the scarcity of charter school seats, children in our city have too few choices for high-quality education. We have a unique opportunity for the establishment of a 21st century learning environment serving 550 students in the center of North Philadelphia. We invite you to join us in creating a revitalized tomorrow for the education of Philadelphia’s children.

Opening By September 2016

Our plan is ambitious, but so desperately needed by the children of North Philadelphia. With the immediate support of generous community members who want to invest in the future of Philadelphia education — a future filled with hope and learning for our students — we can begin renovations and have the new St. Malachy School ready to open for September 2016.

Read the Case Statement

Interested in Learning More?

Sign up below to receive updates about the new St. Malachy School. For more information or to talk about an opportunity to name a permanent piece of St. Malachy in honor of your family or a loved one, call Anne McGoldrick at 610-200-5100.

Download the Naming Opportunities List

Download the Pledge Form

Make a Gift Online

Join the mailing list — sign up today!

Independence Mission Schools provide a quality education option for Philadelphia students in a safe, academically-enriching environment built on the long-standing legacy of Catholic education in the City of Philadelphia.

Our schools operate on a fiscally responsible, per-student budget that is currently met through a combination of tuition dollars, scholarships, corporate investment and philanthropy.  Our overarching goal is to serve more than 5,000 students in our network of schools.

Our students are our city’s next leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. Your generous support is an investment in the futures of these young lives and their communities.  Your investment in them today is an investment in the continued growth of the region’s economic foundation. Join with us to create a transforming model of urban education that will benefit all of Philadelphia.

Engaged parents, friends, professionals, and community members help make our Mission Schools a vibrant place. By simply offering your time, you have the potential to engage, teach, and change the lives of our students.

The Independence Mission Schools’ volunteer program assists students at our 15 schools in achieving their academic goals, while maintaining supportive partnerships between the community and our schools.

You have so much to offer our youth by donating your time, resources, and expertise as volunteers and mentors. We offer a variety of different opportunities to dedicate your time to support an Independence Mission Schools’ community.

To volunteer, complete our contact form making sure to select volunteer opportunities from the drop down list.  A volunteer coordinator will be in touch to connect you to one of our schools.

Philadelphia’s most talked about benefit gala, Dancing for Our Future Stars is on hiatus.  This year IMS has teamed up with the Archdiocese Office of Catholic Education, BLOCS, and Faith in the Future to support Catholic education across the area in the 2017 BLOCS Gala for Catholic Education.

 —  2017 BLOCS Gala Sponsorship Opportunities  —

To support Philadelphia Catholic education and make your sponsorship payment online

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR.

SUMMA CUM LAUDE SPONSOR  — $100,000

• Presenting Sponsor
• Listed as Presenting Sponsor on the invitation
• Option to address the audience the evening of the event
• Company Name/Logo featured on event materials
• Company name/logo on screen
• Recognition of company participation in the speaker’s remarks
• Recognition as event sponsor in press releases
• Twenty (20) dinner reservations to the event
• Premium full-page advertisement in program ad book

MAGNA CUM LAUDE SPONSOR  $75,000

• Featured sponsorship includes:
• Reception Sponsor
• Listed as Reception Sponsor on the invitation
• Reception Signage
• Company Name/Logo featured on event materials
• Company name/logo on screen
• Recognition of company participation in the speaker’s remarks
• Recognition as event sponsor in press releases
• Twenty (20) dinner reservations to the event
• Premium full-page advertisement in program ad book

CUM LAUDE SPONSOR  $50,000

• Featured sponsorship includes:
• Entertainment Sponsor
• Listed as Entertainment Sponsor on the invitation
• Entertainment Signage
• Company Name/Logo featured on event materials
• Company name/logo on screen
• Recognition as event sponsor in press releases
• Twenty (20) dinner reservations to the event
• Premium full-page advertisement in program ad book

PLATINUM SPONSOR  $25,000

• Featured sponsorship includes:
• Company Name/Logo featured on event materials
• Company Name/Logo on screen
• Recognition of company participation in the speaker’s remarks
• Recognition as event sponsor in press releases
• Twenty (20) dinner reservations to the event
• Full page advertisement in program ad book

GOLD SPONSOR  $15,000

• Featured sponsorship includes:
• Company Name/Logo featured on event materials
• Company Name/Logo on screen
• Recognition of company participation in the speaker’s remarks
• Recognition as event sponsor in press releases
• Twelve (12) dinner reservations to the event
• Full page advertisement in program ad book

SILVER SPONSOR  $10,000

• Company Name/Logo featured on event materials
• Company Name/Logo on screen
• Recognition as event sponsor in press releases
• Ten (10) dinner reservations to the event
• Full page advertisement in program ad book

BRONZE SPONSOR  $7,500

• Company name/logo on screen
• Eight (8) dinner reservations
• Half page advertisement in program ad book

CHAMPION  $5,000

• Company name/logo on screen
• Eight (4) dinner reservations
• Quarter page advertisement in program ad book

FRIEND  $3,000

• Company name/logo on screen
• Two (2) dinner reservations
• Company name listing in program ad book

Every child deserves an education that helps them reach their dreams. But inner-city families all too often struggle to find a high-quality option they can afford. By supporting the EITC/OSTC tax credit program, you can help ensure children of all faiths are ready to become Philadelphia’s next generation of business leaders. Help us help them get the right start!

Corporate or Business Tax Credits

Your business can redirect its Pennsylvania state tax dollars to support education. This program allows businesses to receive up to a 90% tax credit by making a donation and designating those dollars to support Independence Mission Schools’ new model of urban Catholic education.

Download our EITC/OSTC information for Corporations

Individual or Small Business Tax Credits

Many individuals or small businesses that were once ineligible for the OSTC program can now “pool” their resources to make a contribution for our students. You can join the Special Purpose Partnership Fund along with other like-minded people across the Greater Philadelphia region who believe in a high-quality education. Members make an initial contribution, and when the Special Purpose Partnership Fund reaches the maximum contribution amount, the application will be submitted for approval. After approval, members will receive a tax credit based upon their contribution to apply towards their PA state taxes.

Download our EITC/OSTC information for Individuals

Questions about how your company can take advantage of this opportunity? Please contact Jeffrey Lynds, Development Manager, Tax Credit Programs, at 801-859-3294 or jlynds@independencemissionschools.org.

Aldo Cavalli
PRESIDENT