Foundation History

The Regina Foundation was the vision of Jim Butler.  Upon completion of his second term on the Regina Board of Education in 1973, Jim addressed Regina’s need for long-term financial support.  With the help of Joe Meyer of the University of Iowa Foundation and the support of the four parish priests, the Foundation was created.

1973	Iowa City Education Vicariate Foundation was formed.
1975	Iowa City Education Vicariate Foundation formally incorporated.
1986	The Iowa City Education Vicariate Foundation was renamed The Regina Foundation.  The focus was on building an endowment fund, facilitating pass-through gifts and developing deferred gifts.
1997	Regina Teacher Endowment Fund was established to supplement teacher salaries, helping to bring parity to public school counterparts.
October 2000	The Regina Foundation Endowment Fund directed to long-term investments is valued at $1,500,000.
November 2000	The Foundation was reconfigured and renamed the Catholic Community Foundation.  Its mission was broadened to include the four Iowa City parishes in addition to the Regina Inter-Parish Catholic Education Center.
December 2000	The $5 million, five-year Fueling the Fire of Faith Campaign begins.  Campaign components include: $1.25 million Regina teacher salary fund, $1.6 million capital improvements, $1.5 million general endowment fund, $450,000 for the creation of an Evangelization & Stewardship office and programs, and $200,000 for campaign costs.
2001	The lead gifts to the campaign, $750,000 given by Larry and Cathy Pacha, coupled with $250,000 from Ted and Deb Pacha, in March of 2001, served as a $1 million, four-to-one matching challenge gift.
June 2003	A $500,000 gift was made to challenge the community to bring the campaign to its $5 million goal.
September 2003	The Fueling the Fire of Faith Campaign was successfully completed, with $5.8+ million being raised.
June 2004	The Catholic Community Foundation holds groundbreaking ceremonies on June 22, 2004 for the four-classroom elementary addition, two-story education complex, new kitchen, cafeteria, and restrooms.
April 2005	Parish leadership recommends that the Foundation can best serve the Iowa City Catholic community by returning to its roots, concentrating its works on the long-term financial strength of Regina, mainly in the area of endowment growth.
2005	The elementary, junior/senior high school, kitchen, and cafeteria construction was completed.  The open house and dedication was held on Sunday, October 9, 2005, in the Regina Jr./Sr. High School Gym.  Bishop William Franklin blessed the new facilities.
January 2006	Catholic Community Foundation Board votes to adopt as its new mission:  the mission of the Catholic Community Foundation is to enhance the financial strength of the Regina Inter-Parish Catholic Education Center.