The Catholic Education Growth Fund (CEGF) is a nonprofit supported by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops that provides capital and support services to seed, scale, and replicate high-quality, innovative Catholic school models throughout Texas. This first of its kind in the nation initiative brings together Texas Bishops and exceptional leaders from education, business and philanthropy to invest in innovative new Catholic school models.

Why CEGF?

The Problem

Following several years of extreme tension connected to pandemic mandates, curricula and school culture, Texas parents are grappling with how these complicated issues impact their children in K-12 public schools. Conflict, combined with rising rates of childhood depression, anxiety, and widespread learning loss, are driving many Texas parents to seek alternatives to public schools, searching instead for options that meet their families' faith, values, and academic needs.

Moreover, families are seeking a learning environment where their child can take refuge from the social storms and instead focus on rigorous academics in a faith-based environment that aligns with the Church's vision of parents as the primary educators of their children. The pursuit of educational freedom for families of all backgrounds is now possible with the recent enactment of school choice legislation. Starting in Fall 2026, families will be able to use education savings accounts to pay for private tuition, curriculum, and other relevant services.

Texas Catholics have a rare window of opportunity to increase the number of Catholic education models, which will have a direct impact on faith formation for children and families, improve academic outcomes, and encourage character development so families can support their kids as they grow in virtue.

The Solution

To meet parent demand and ensure a vibrant, dynamic Texas Catholic education ecosystem, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops launched the CEGF, a new, innovative independent nonprofit to seed, scale, and replicate high-quality, innovative Catholic education models throughout Texas.

This statewide initiative brings together bishops and exceptional leaders from education, business, and philanthropy to invest in Catholic school models, which may include, but are not limited to, micro, classical, technical, STEM, agriculture, and hybrid schools.

The CEGF includes an innovation fund as well as a CEGF Entrepreneurs-In-Residence Fellowship, which will provide technical support to new school leaders who will spend a year in residence developing their education model.

CEGF is a vital component of a broader statewide strategy to build sustainable education options throughout Texas.

The Fund

Beginning in 2026, CEGF will begin deploying strategic investments to expand access to Catholic education across Texas. The fund will provide seed grants to support the launch and growth of new schools designed to meet the evolving needs of families and communities. CEGF’s priority areas for investment include:

  • Innovative Models

    CEGF champions a range of creative and innovative Catholic education models grounded in faith formation. These may include trade high schools that integrate character development with workforce training, programs for students with disabilities, and promising new approaches enabled by expanding school choice policies.

  • Rural Access to Catholic Education

    CEGF is committed to bringing the gift of Catholic education to rural communities across Texas. From agriculture technical high schools to flexible microschools, we support models that reflect Catholic values and meet the needs of smaller, often overlooked rural regions.

  • Serving Low-Income, Minority Students

    CEGF believes every child deserves access to a world-class education rooted in faith. We focus on expanding and reimagining Catholic models to reach families in underserved urban and rural areas. We focus on expanding and reimagining models that prioritize the educational needs of underserved students.

The Fellowship

Replicating the successful charter school incubator model, the CEGF Entrepreneurs-In-Residence Fellowship offers aspiring entrepreneurial Catholic education leaders with a 12- to 18-month program and provides strategic support and funding for the design, development, and launch of innovative Catholic school models.

  • Tuition Design & Budget

  • Fundraising & Sustainability

  • Family Recruitment & Engagement

  • TCCB Education Accreditation

  • Curriculum & Instruction

  • Mission & Vision Formation

  • Governance & Canonical Authority

  • Operations & Facilities

  • Faith Formation

  • Catholic School Culture

  • Community Engagement

CEGF Timeline

    • Launch CEGF

    • Formally Constitute Board

    • Approve Bylaws

    • Initiate Fundraising

    • Identify & Hire CEGF CEO

    • Fundraise

    • Begin Statewide Outreach

    • Identify & Hire Director of Fellowship (a program under CEGF)

    • Fundraise

    • Launch CEGF & Entrepreneurs-In-Residence Fellowship Application Process

    • Announce First Applicant Cycle for CEGF Grants

    • Fundraise

    • Announce First CEGF Grantees

    • Announce Entrepreneurs-In-Residence Fellowship Cohort

    • Fundraise

    • Launch Entrepreneurs-In-Residence Fellowship Cohort

    • Announce Second CEGF Grant & Entrepreneurs-In-Residency Fellowship Application Process

    • Fundraise