20 March 2026
During its most recent quarterly meeting, the Board of the Directors of the Catholic Foundation created two new named endowed funds. The funds were created by resolutions of the Board of directors and benefit Catholic schools within the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
The Trechter-Colapietro Catholic Education Fund was established by Joseph and Lori Trechter to honor the lives of Harry and Mary Trechter and Angelo and Veronica Colapietro and continue their legacies by helping families choose Catholic education for their children. The fund exclusively supports Saint Gabriel Classical Academy to help underwrite costs as deemed necessary by the Academy.
The Sega Family Catholic Education Endowed Fund was established by Major General Ronald Sega to provide for the development of excellent teachers and instructors for schools within the Diocese. As an initial objective, the Fund will support the development of the teaching faculty for the preschool at Saint Joseph Parish in Salida.
Named endowed funds allow the Foundation to make an annual grant from a portion of the investment income generated by the fund to support the donor-designated beneficiary. As the value of the fund grows over time, so does the fund’s impact. The Foundation is immensely grateful to the donors whose generosity made these funds possible. Donations like these help the Foundation in its mission of “Creating a legacy of support for the apostolates and ministries of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.”
Mr. Christopher Scurto, Chair of the Board of Directors, reflecting on the new funds, commented, “these new funds broaden the support of the Foundation for Catholic Education. As both funds will last forever, they create a legacy of support in honor of the Sega and Trechter-Colapietro families.”
To learn more about Named Endowed Funds, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.catholicfoundationdcs.org.
Additionally, during the same meeting, the Foundation appointed Mr. John Schlageter, until that point Interim Executive Director, as Executive Director. John brings with him a wealth of experience in the operation and growth of charitable foundations.
Reflecting on the appointment, Mr. Scurto shared, “John and his team have done a tremendous job directing the Foundation forward. The entire board of directors thought it only right that we renew John’s contract to continue on the good work already done.”
Finally, the Foundation is pleased to announce that it will host its 2026 Stewards Reception on Friday, the 4th of September. This year, the Foundation will honor Reverend Monsignor Robert Jaeger as its 2026 Honorary Steward. Monsignor Jaeger has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for many years and has been instrumental in building the Foundation’s assets, including the Saint Paul Church and School Endowed Fund. The Stewards are individuals or couples who make a gift or pledge of $25,000.00 or more to the Stewards Endowment. The Stewards Endowment is a board-designated fund that allows the Catholic Foundation to respond to the most pressing needs of the diocese, parishes, schools, and ministries of Colorado Springs. To learn more about the Stewards, visit the Foundation’s website at www.catholicfoundationdcs.org.
To learn more about how you can support the Catholic Foundation of Diocese of Colorado Springs and its mission of, “Creating a Legacy of Support for the Apostolates and Ministries of the Diocese of Colorado Springs” please visit the Foundation’s website at www.catholicfoundationdcs.org or send an email to info@catholicfoundationdcs.org.