Sacré Cœur Foundation

The Sacré Cœur Foundation is an Australian nonprofit organisation established in 2004 to support Sacré Cœur School, an independent Roman Catholic day school for girls located in Glen Iris, a southeastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The Foundation operates as a public company limited by guarantee and is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the School Board, with a mission to enhance the educational experience and opportunities available to the students of Sacré Cœur School[1][2][5].

History and Purpose

Formed with the heartfelt goal of sustaining and advancing the quality and unique character of Sacred Heart education, the Sacré Cœur Foundation plays a vital role in supplementing school fees and government funding, which do not fully cover the costs of the school’s education, maintenance, and facility development. The Foundation seeks to provide additional capital resources that help fulfil the School’s promises to students and their families, ensuring that the Sacré Cœur community continues to thrive for generations to come[1][2].

Activities and Priorities

The Foundation’s work focuses on broad priorities that include:

• Scholarships and financial aid: Establishing endowment funds, named scholarships, and bursaries to make education accessible to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, including administering funds such as the Florence Buckley Scholarships[1][2].

• School facilities and infrastructure: Providing long-term financial stability through major gifts, planned giving, and alumnae contributions, supporting capital projects that enhance educational facilities. Contributions have funded significant renovations and developments, including the Dorothy McGuinness Centre (VCE/Technology Library), refurbishments of Joigny Junior School and Brynmawr music facilities, Chapel restoration, and the Janet Erskine Stuart Centre focused on science education[1][2].

• Community engagement and partnerships: Building strong connections among parents, alumnae, and the wider community by hosting events, creating volunteer programs, and forming partnerships with local businesses and organisations to sustain the school community[1].

Governance and Structure

The Sacré Cœur Foundation is led by a dedicated Board of Directors who oversee its fundraising and resource allocation efforts. The Foundation functions as a compassionate organisation committed to the benefit of both the individual student and society through the values of Sacred Heart education[1][2].

Relationship to Sacré Cœur School

The Foundation exists to support Sacré Cœur School’s mission as a quality day school for girls from preparatory levels through Year 12. The School, founded in 1888 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, provides a Roman Catholic education with a strong academic and holistic focus, serving more than 700 students. The Foundation’s resources ensure that the School maintains its standards of excellence in education, extracurriculars, and facilities while promoting an inclusive and supportive environment[3][4][5].

This article summarizes the Sacré Cœur Foundation’s role as the principal fundraising and support body for Sacré Cœur School in Victoria, Australia, dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and sustaining the School’s mission through scholarships, infrastructure projects, and community engagement.

[1] https://www.sacrecoeur.vic.edu.au/community/foundation [2] https://sacrecoeur.vic.edu.au/community/sacre-coeur-foundation/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/dbe808d8-38af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182 [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/c0834e70-39af-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/profile [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacr%C3%A9_C%C5%93ur_School