History
Most Reverend Peter Leo Gerety
July 19, 1912 – September 20, 2016
SFIC Founder • Social Justice Pioneer
A Vision Rooted in Justice and Opportunity
In the early 1980s, Archbishop Peter L. Gerety recognized the urgent need for low-income families living in surrounding inner-city communities to access the safe, values-based education offered in the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Newark. With the help of local business leaders, major corporations, entrepreneurs, and other community-minded individuals, he established The Fund for Educational Advancement — the precursor to what is now The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC).
From the beginning, Archbishop Gerety insisted that scholarships be awarded on the basis of financial need and that they be available to children without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. His conviction was simple and powerful: every child deserves the chance to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
A Legacy That Transformed Generations
Since Archbishop Gerety’s founding vision, SFIC has been able to:
$55,544,450+
in partial tuition scholarships awarded
62,845+
children supported with access to quality education
Milestones in Our History
Early 1980s — A New Fund is Born
Archbishop Gerety establishes The Fund for Educational Advancement to help low-income families access Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Newark.
SFIC Emerges
The program evolves into The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC), expanding access to inner-city students seeking a quality, values-based education.
Expanding Partnerships and Support
SFIC partners with pastors, principals, donors, and community leaders to broaden scholarship access across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties.
2010s — A Legacy Recognized
Archbishop Gerety is widely acknowledged for his lifelong commitment to educational justice and support for families in need.
Today — His Vision Continues
SFIC remains rooted in Archbishop Gerety’s mission to support families solely based on financial need, without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
His Legacy Lives On
None of this would have been possible without the compassion, forward-thinking, guidance, and leadership of Archbishop Gerety. His belief in the dignity of every child and in the power of Catholic education continues to shape the work of The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children.
His legacy lives on in every student who walks through the doors of a Catholic school, every family given hope, and every community strengthened by the gift of education.