SG Schimenti Foundation Donated $1 Million to Local Prep
The gift establishes a new endowed scholarship fund for Notre Dame Prep students in Fairfield.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Scholarships
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The SG Schimenti Foundation has donated $1 million to Notre Dame Prep in Fairfield to establish the SG Schimenti Endowed Scholarship Fund. This contribution marks the second-largest gift in the history of the school.
Why it matters
The fund is designed to support the school's ongoing growth and momentum by making education more accessible to students with financial need. It serves as a direct investment in the academic potential of incoming Fairfield pupils.
The grant provides 50% of tuition for eligible students who maintain a 3.5 GPA from middle school and qualify for the Distinguished Scholar program. The school currently serves more than 560 students, following a 12% enrollment increase over the last two years.
The players
SG Schimenti Foundation
This organization supports educational initiatives through philanthropic donations.
Notre Dame Prep
This educational institution located in Fairfield operates as a college preparatory school.
The details
The endowment was spurred by a personal connection involving a former foundation employee. To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and meet specific academic benchmarks required for the Notre Dame Distinguished Scholar program.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: The donation to Notre Dame Prep was officially announced.
Culture Shift
This donation reflects a wider trend of private institutions expanding their capacity to meet increased demand for specialized preparatory education. The gift helps Notre Dame Prep align its infrastructure with the rising enrollment figures seen across similar private schools nationwide.
Families in Fairfield can now apply for tuition assistance that covers half of the total cost for eligible incoming students. Applicants should verify that they meet the 3.5 middle school GPA requirement to be considered for the program.
The takeaway
Prospective students interested in this aid should focus on maintaining strong academic records early in their middle school years. This endowment ensures that high-achieving students with financial barriers have a clearer path to enrollment at the local school.
Further reading
For more information on local educational funding and student aid, browse the scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Westfair Communications.
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