Giving parents a choice, giving children a chance. Founded in 1995, the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund is a privately funded organization whose mission is to broaden the educational opportunities for Western New York children by helping low-income families afford the cost of private K-12 schools.
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For families of modest means (a $36,000 average BISON family income), access to quality education is made possible by the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund. For 24 years, members of our community like you, have helped fund 31,300 scholarships for low-income children to attend high-performing schools of their choice via tuition assistance. We’re taking our investment in our BISON families to the next level. Expanding our program will provide even more pathways to successful futures for children and families who might otherwise not get the opportunity they’ve earned. So beginning in 2018, we’re going along to high school, too, offering a $3,500 award to help eligible BISON 8th graders and their families bridge financial gaps and continue their education at the private high school of their choice. BISON is the only K-12 scholarship program in WNY, and the 5th largest K-8 program nationally. BISON is successful because it provides a hand up, and not a handout. Our parents struggle to make ends meet but are willing to sacrifice in order to pay a portion of their child’s tuition, knowing that a quality education can open the door to more opportunities and a better tomorrow. BISON graduates continue to succeed beyond 8th grade, with more than 95% graduating from high school and more than 90% continuing on to college! Supporting BISON is a great investment – perhaps the best investment you can make in our community. Educated communities tend to be healthier, more productive, and more stable. Moreover, you can help change the trajectory of a child’s life!
Operating as usual
Through trying times, hope and resilience prevail
Meet BISON Scholars Abigail and Lindsay "It's hard to put into words what the BISON Fund has meant to our family. We are so blessed and we never take it for granted. We make sure that our girls unders
We are so proud of our partner schools as they continue to adapt knowing that in-person instruction is best for children, allowing them to flourish both academically and socially.
https://www.ncregister.com/news/catholic-schools-shine-a-light-amid-pandemic-struggles
Parents are grateful for parochial schools, the closings of which number more than 200 during the course of COVID-19.
Happy New Year!
Here we come 2021! May we reflect upon the extraordinary year that was 2020 with gratitude and enter 2021 with hope and promise! On behalf of our Scholars and families, we thank you for your considera
Giving Tuesday; Give the gift of education
Rising to the Challenge During this challenging year, our BISON Scholars remain a beacon of hope and resilience. We have been so incredibly impressed by our BISON families' commitment to providing the
We would like to take a moment to thank all who attended our 2020 Virtual Celebration Event. Together, we raised over $450,000, a testament to the empathy and generosity of our loyal donors. We can’t tell you how much your support means to us, and—more importantly—to our community’s students.
Thank you! Dear friends, On behalf of the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund board members and staff, we sincerely THANK YOU for making our first ever Virtual Celebration Event a huge success! With you
BISON families are among those most impacted by COVID-19 and job loss, and they need our help. Give to the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund to provide new educational opportunities for students and families facing these new hardships: https://bisonfund.com/donate/
To all who attended our 2020 Virtual Celebration Event: Thank you! There’s still time to support and make an impact with a donation to the BISON Fund with our Day of Giving ending tonight: https://bisonfund.com/donate/
Tonight kicks off our 24-hour day of giving! Help us change the trajectory of our children’s lives for the better: https://bisonfund.com/donate/
Today is your last chance to purchase tickets for our 2020 Virtual Celebration Event , which starts tomorrow at 6PM. RSVP to help us change the trajectory of our children’s lives for the better: https://bisonfund.ticketspice.com/bison-luncheon-2020
Next week is our Virtual Celebration Event. And with 97% of BISON families experiencing financial hardships as a result of COVID-19, arising from hours reductions or job losses, we need your support more than ever! Help us help our community’s less fortunate:
https://bisonfund.ticketspice.com/bison-luncheon-2020
Join us live October 20th for our 2020 Virtual Celebration Event. Together, we’ll celebrate over 25 years of giving parents a choice and children a chance. RSVP today: https://bisonfund.com/2020-luncheon/
Without the generosity of our loyal donors, BISON would not be the catalyst for change it is today. In 1995, we raised $100,000 to support 200 scholarships. Today, BISON raises over $3million to support 1,950 scholarships!
RSVP for our 2020 Virtual Celebration Event to help us make futures brighter for WNY students: https://bisonfund.ticketspice.com/bison-luncheon-2020
Sign up for one of our sponsorship packages to claim a $200 gift card to host friends for our Virtual Celebration Event on October 20th . Learn more:https://bisonfund.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/BISON-2020-Luncheon-Digital-Sponsor-Packet.pdf
In honor of World Smile Day, help us put smiles on the faces of young students across Western New York. Join us for our first-ever Virtual Celebration Event to help give families a choice and children a chance: https://bisonfund.com/2020-annual-celebration-luncheon/
Almost 45% of children in the City of Buffalo live below the poverty line, ranking it the second-worst among major American cities. The access they are given to safe, high-quality education is just as dismal. But with your help, we can give families the power to choose the school that’s right for them, regardless of income: https://bisonfund.com/our-impact/
Possibly the best investment you can make in your community is in the education of its youth. This year alone, the BISON Fund is allowing 1,900 students to attend the school of their choice. Learn more about BISON’s impact: https://bisonfund.com/our-impact/
Generous philanthropists like Maritza and Jack understand that the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund is a way to pay it forward. It’s an opportunity to give students better opportunities than we had, whatever those were. Because BISON students—and students at-large—are our future. Learn More: https://bisonfund.com/aboutus/
Thanks to the contributions of generous donors, BISON’s K-8 and High School programs have given families the power to choose the school that best fits their child’s needs, regardless of income or zip code. On Tuesday, October 20, we’ll once again call on the generosity of donors at our first-ever virtual Annual Celebration event. Learn more about BISON’s programs: https://bisonfund.com/our-program/
After moving her family from Rwanda to the U.S., Cynthia’s mother never stopped instilling in her a passion for learning. With help from the BISON Scholarship Fund, Cynthia and her four siblings attended Our Lady of Black Rock. Cynthia went on to graduate from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a degree in public policy and biology.
After joining the Peace Corps for two years, Cynthia accepted a position at an international development firm, where she still works today. Learn more about the students BISON has empowered to pursue their dreams: https://bisonfund.com/success-stories/
We love this creativity! We are proud to partner with 80 schools across WNY dedicated to making this school year great! Thank you!
Miss Webb turned her desks into “Magic School Buses”. These students are ready to go on an educational journey. #tigerstrong #stbenedictamherst #catholicschoolproud
From this year’s alumni surveys, we learned that 87% of students from BISON’s class of 2020 went on to study at 4-year colleges, and 11% attended 2-year colleges. As if their accomplishments were not reward enough, their success has earned them entry into some of the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities such as University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, Bucknell University and many more! It’s outcomes like these that fill us with pride every single day: https://bisonfund.com/outcomes/
Our hearts are full! We love the excitement of a new school year and this year feels extra special!
We are proud to support 1,900 K-12 BISON Scholars who started school this week. We also want to applaud our 81 partner schools across WNY who worked tirelessly on their reopening plans to ensure that they could welcome students this fall. We wish everyone a happy and healthy year!
After SaMari lost her father, the BISON Scholarship Fund stepped in to help her mother cover the cost of SaMari’s continued education at St. Joseph’s University School. Persistent in her studies, SaMari went on to Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, and today, is studying to become an Epidemiologist at Cornell University. Read more success stories like SaMari’s: https://bisonfund.com/success-stories/
For the first time, BISON’s Annual Celebration event will be completely virtual. Join us live on Tuesday, October 20th at 6pm, in support of our community’s next generation of leaders! More than ever, children need our generosity to ensure they can attend their school of choice, regardless of zip code or income. Learn more: https://bisonfund.com/2020-luncheon/
Photos from The BISON Children's Scholarship Fund's post
Read BISON Executive Director Amy Popadick's op-ed that recently ran in The Buffalo News urging our elected officials to include private schools in the next coronavirus relief bill.
Check out this great resource that tells you everything you wanted to know about private schools and mentions BISON!
Private schools charge tuition and may be faith-based or independent. Learn how many states provide scholarships or private school tuition assistance.
A great opportunity for high school students interested in science and medicine! RSVP for tomorrow!
Do you know a high school student interested in science & medicine? Have them join our summer webinar series with Dr. Ken Snyder, a dual-trained neurosurgeon, as he discusses the ever-changing world of medicine & innovation. RSVP for tomorrow! bit.ly/2BkmIzP Buffalo Public Schools Buffalo Public School's Office of Parent and Family Engagement
We know it looked different this year but we love celebrating our littlest graduates! BISON is proud to support these young minds and we look forward to continuing their academic journey with them!
We know it looked different this year but we love celebrating our littlest graduates! BISON is proud to support these young minds and we look forward to continuing their academic journey with them!
BISON Fund - A Message from the Executive Director
We love seeing these smiling faces and are proud to support their hard work!
We are still processing applications for next year so please contact the BISON office with any questions.
We love seeing these smiling faces and are proud to support their hard work!
We are still processing applications for next year so please contact the BISON office with any questions.
Check out some of our artwork to support our healthcare workers! BISON is proud to support Catholic Health and all frontline workers in their fight against this pandemic.
People all over WNY are showing their support for our healthcare workers with #HeartsForWNYHeroes! We love seeing the creativity and continued appreciation for those selflessly caring for our friends, families, and neighbors.
Visit us at heartsforwnyheroes.org to show your support for these frontline heroes. 💙
Check out what our BISON Scholars have been up to
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For the first time, BISON’s Annual Celebration event will be completely virtual. Join us live on Tuesday, October 20th at 6pm, in support of our community’s next generation of leaders! More than ever, children need our generosity to ensure they can attend their school of choice, regardless of zip code or income. Learn more: https://bisonfund.com/2020-luncheon/
Giving families a choice, giving children a chance. Hear more from one of our amazing BISON students!
Our scholarships open the door to outstanding education. 📚
BISON was honored to be part of the Camerata di Sant' Antonio and Canisius College Chorale concert last night. The concert brought community awareness and recognition for the BISON Fund to a packed Montante Cultural Center. It was a beautiful evening of music!
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