Blaze Brighter

Blaze Brighter is Ursuline Academy’s 2022–2027 strategic plan—a five-year roadmap developed through community-wide input during the 2021–22 school year. Its purpose is to position Ursuline for long-term strength while preparing students to lead and succeed in an increasingly complex global environment.

The overarching 2027 vision is:

“Trailblazers in teaching and learning, shining as a beacon of faith and promise in the world.”

How this connects to your support:

Blaze Brighter is first and foremost the strategic plan; the philanthropic support received from our community is the means of investing in and advancing many of the plan’s priorities. The campaign has supported initiatives such as the 1893 I.D.E.A. Studio, athletic facilities, scholarships, technology, and the McConnell Center for Performing Arts. Recent coverage also describes the campaign as supporting facility improvements and the school’s financial stability through endowment and annual giving.

For more information on the Blaze Brighter Strategic Plan click here.

For five years, the Ursuline community has dreamed boldly and invested boldly in the future of our school. Together, we have raised $24.9 million and transformed the student experience in remarkable ways.

Now, we have one final year to complete the vision we built together.

Your gift this year will help bring the McConnell Center for Performing Arts to life, strengthen scholarships and financial aid, enhance college counseling, and provide critical support for the student experience.

This is the moment to finish what we started. Every gift—whether large or small—is part of the collective generosity that has made Blaze Brighter possible. As we work to surpass $30 million in philanthropic support, your participation will help ensure we reach the finish line in a strong financial position and leave a lasting foundation for the generations of Ursuline students who follow.

Give today and help us finish Blaze Brighter together.

The final year of Blaze Brighter is about completing the vision we began together. Your gift this year will support the final year priorities of the Blaze Brighter Strategic plan listed below.

Supporting the Student Experience

Your gift will help provide the operation support necessary to sustain and enhance the everyday educational experience students receive every day—from academics and faculty development to student programs, Serviam, athletics, and the arts.

McConnell Center for Performing Arts

A historic Wilmington landmark is being transformed into a vibrant new home for the performing arts. The McConnell Center will provide Ursuline students with a dedicated space to perform, create, collaborate, and find their voices—while also serving The Brandywiners and the broader Wilmington community.

Explore the McConnell Center

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Ensuring that an Ursuline education remains accessible to talented and deserving students remains an important priority.

College Counseling Center

Additional investment will create an environment that better supports students as they navigate one of the most important transitions of their educational journey.

The successful completion of Blaze Brighter depends on participation from every member of our school community—parents, faculty, staff, alumnae, grandparents, trustees, friends, foundations, and corporations. Every gift, no matter the size, is valued and represents an investment in our students and their future.

Because this is the final year of Blaze Brighter, we invite you to consider making a gift that stretches beyond your usual support. If you are able, consider increasing your annual gift, making a special one-time contribution, or making a five-year pledge that allows you to maximize your impact while spreading your commitment over time.

There is no single “right” gift. The most meaningful gift is one that reflects your connection to Ursuline and your belief in what we can accomplish together. Every gift helps us complete the vision of Blaze Brighter and create opportunities for generations of Ursuline students.

Every donor who has helped advance Blaze Brighter from 2022 through 2027 is part of this extraordinary story. We will celebrate the collective generosity of our entire Blaze Brighter effort with special recognition and opportunities to celebrate throughout the coming year.

As we bring the campaign to a close, we look forward to recognizing the parents, alumnae, grandparents, faculty, staff, trustees, friends, foundations and corporations whose generosity has helped transform the Ursuline experience. There are also many meaningful naming opportunities available throughout our campus for donors who would like to make a significant investment and create a lasting connection to the Ursuline experience.

McConnell Center for Performing Arts Naming Opportunities

The Blaze Brighter Campaign offers a meaningful way for donors to create a lasting legacy while investing in the future of our students. Naming opportunities recognize individuals, families, businesses, foundations, or loved ones whose generosity helps transform our campus for generations to come.

Each named space will serve as a visible reminder of the donor’s commitment to faith, excellence, and the future of our school community. Recognition opportunities are available across the McConnell Center for Performing Arts.

Recognition

Naming opportunities are available on a first-come, first-committed basis. Donor recognition signage will be thoughtfully designed to complement the character of each space while honoring the generosity of campaign supporters.

Premier Naming Opportunities

• Grand Hall — $1,000,000. The grand performance hall where students showcase their talents through theater productions and concerts, while the Academy hosts ceremonies, guest speakers, and community events.
• Lobby — $1,000,000. The welcoming and stately foyer of the McConnell Center where guests gather before performances, during intermissions, and for special events.
• Stage — $500,000. The heart of every performance, providing students with an exceptional venue to develop their artistic talents.
• Scenic Shop — $250,000. The creative workspace where scenery, props, and stage elements are designed and constructed for productions.
• Patio — $250,000. An outdoor gathering space welcoming guests to the McConnell Center.

Additional Naming Opportunities

• Balcony — $200,000. An upper-level seating area highlighted by beautiful Juliette windows that enhance the architectural character of the McConnell Center.
• Lower-Level Lounge — $150,000. A comfortable hospitality space in the Lower Level for guests to lounge before and during performances.
• Vestibule — $150,000. The entrance space connecting the lobby to the outer patio.
• Lower-Level Classroom — $75,000. A versatile classroom supporting rehearsals, meetings, artistic instruction, and educational programming in the lower level of the McConnell Center.
• Tech Booth — $40,000. The technical control center for lighting, sound, and other production elements that bring performances to life.
• Women’s Dressing Room — $50,000. A dedicated preparation space for performers before productions and performances.
• Men’s Dressing Room — $50,000. A dedicated preparation space for performers before productions and performances.
• Stairwell (2 Available) — $25,000. A stately and highly visible access point connecting guests throughout the McConnell Center.
• Offices (3 Available) — $25,000. Administrative offices supporting the daily operation of the McConnell Center.
• Lower-Level Kitchen — $15,000. A support space serving hospitality events, receptions, and school gatherings.
• Stained Glass Windows (16 Available) — $15,000. Beautiful architectural features that inspire visitors while reflecting the school’s mission and traditions.
• Main Level Pew (23 Available) — $10,000. Donor recognition displayed on a main-level pew within the McConnell Center.
• Balcony Pew (8 Available) — $5,000. Donor recognition displayed on a balcony pew within the McConnell Center.

Your gift is part of a five-year story of bold vision, generosity and impact—and we look forward to celebrating that story together.

1. Make your gift securely online: Ursuline.org/donate
2. Contact Brenda Cimorelli, Ursuline Academy Annual Fund and Alumnae Relations Manager 302.658.7158, ext. 6257
3. Mail a check to Ursuline Academy 1106 Pennsylvania Ave Wilmington, DE 19806
4. Transfer stock directly to Ursuline Academy for a greater impact and increased tax benefits.

Transfer stock directly to contribute and receive additional tax benefits based on the value of the asset(s). Instruct your broker to deliver the shares to Ursuline’s account using the information below:

Account Name: Ursuline Academy of Wilmington, DE

DTC Number: 0075

Account Number: 4896-1738

Clearing Firm: LPL Financial

Broker: M&T Financial Services; One Light Street, 13th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202

Broker Phone Number: 410.318.6841

Did you know? If you are over 72 years of age you can make a qualified charitable donation to satisfy your required minimum distribution from your retirement accounts. Consult your financial advisor or contact the UA advancement office for assistance.

We Dreamed Boldly. We Invested Boldly.

Together, we dreamed boldly about what was possible—and then our community invested boldly to make that vision a reality. Over the past five years, philanthropy has transformed the student experience in remarkable ways.

1893 I.D.E.A. Studio

A dynamic Upper School space where students can imagine, create, collaborate, and bring new ideas to life.

Anthony N. Fusco Sr. Fitness & Health Center

A transformed athletic and community space that supports competition, wellness, school traditions, and student life.

Dream Lab

A dedicated, flexible learning space designed specifically for younger students to explore creativity, innovation, design thinking, and problem-solving.

Center for Success

A personalized academic support program for Middle and Upper School students who need additional learning support or classroom accommodations.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Expanded opportunities for students and families to access an Ursuline education.

Endowment Growth

A stronger financial foundation to help sustain Ursuline’s mission and opportunities for generations to come.

Serviam Track Replacement

The replacement of the old track was one of the first accomplishments of the Blaze Brighter plan.

These accomplishments represent more than buildings, spaces and programs. They represent thousands of hours of vision, planning, collaboration, generosity, and hard work by members of the Ursuline community.

And they have changed what is possible for our students.

Double your impact with a matching gift

Many companies offer matching gift programs that can double—or potentially increase—the impact of eligible employee contributions.

Find out if your gift is eligible.

Use the employer search tool on our giving page to look up your company’s matching gift guidelines, eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, and instructions. Simply search for your employer to get started.

How to submit your matching gift

1. Make a donation to Ursuline Academy of Wilmington.
2. Search for your employer using the tool provided.
3. Sign in to your company’s matching gift portal, if applicable.
4. Search for Ursuline Academy of Wilmington and select the correct nonprofit listing. Our tax ID is 51-0167117.
5. Register your donation and complete the matching gift request.
6. Submit the request to your employer’s HR or charitable-giving department.

The process is typically initiated by the donor and may be completed through an electronic submission or a paper form, depending on the employer’s requirements.

What happens next?

After you submit your request, Ursuline Academy and your employer may communicate to verify the original donation and process the match, if eligible. If you submit a request outside this page, please contact jcellucci@ursuline.org, Family Giving and Development Manager, so we can track the matching funds.

Questions?

For questions about your company’s matching gift program, contact your employer’s HR or charitable-giving department. For questions about a matching gift request submitted to Ursuline Academy contact jcellucci@ursuline.org, Family Giving and Development Manager.

Ursuline Academy of Wilmington, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. Our Tax ID Number is: 51-0167117.  If you have questions regarding your annual fund gift, please contact Brenda Cimorelli, at bcimorelli@ursuline.org or via phone 302.658.7158, ext. 6257.

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