The Catholic Education Foundation provides scholarships for low-income students to attend K-12 Catholic schools. We’re working every day to make high-quality, faith-filled education possible for children in poverty.
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Overland Park Convention Center
6:00 pm
The 2021 Gaudeamus benefit gala, CEF’s signature fundraising event, will be celebrated live and in-person at the
Overland Park Convention Center on Saturday, October 23rd! Funds raised support Catholic school scholarships for
low-income students throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Last year’s Gaudeamus gala empowered CEF to provide more than $2 million in scholarship funding to nearly 1,500 low-income students in the ‘20-’21 school year. Thanks to your generosity, seniors supported by CEF scholarships achieved a 100% graduation and matriculation rate last spring, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Right now, more than 200 students living in poverty are waiting for a scholarship - and your support of this year’s Gaudeamus gala can rewrite the future for these children in need.
Saturday, October 23rd, 2021
Overland Park Convention Center
6:00 pm Cocktails
7:15 pm Dinner
8:45 pm Live Band & Dancing
Cocktail Attire
Thanks to the generosity of our community, the 2024 Gaudeamus benefit gala was an incredible success! Held on Saturday, October 12th the 2024 Gaudeamus raised more than $3.5 million in scholarship funding, helping the Catholic Education Foundation support nearly 2,000 students for the 2024-25 school year and establish the new Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Legacy Scholarship Fund.
On behalf of the schools and students CEF supports, thank you for helping ensure Catholic education is within reach for students of all backgrounds.
YOUR SUPPORT HELPS STUDENTS IN NEED RECEIVE A CATHOLIC EDUCATION.
For decades, Archbishop Naumann has championed Catholic education, recognizing its vital role in forming the next generation of faithful leaders.
Join us as we celebrate Archbishop's lifetime of support for Catholic education. His dedication to the Church and leadership in education will be an inspiration for generations to come.
For 22 years, the Catholic Education Foundation's Gaudeamus benefit gala has been the backbone of scholarships for low-income K-12 Catholic school students in northeast Kansas.
This year's event will provide the majority of the annual funds needed for CEF’s traditional scholarships. CEF provides support to more than 1,800 students in 23 schools throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
"Without your love and faith in Christ and generosity to CEF, without the scholarship I received, I wouldn’t be able to tell you my story and share my gratitude."
Hear the powerful testimony Emily Jimenez, Bishop Ward High School graduate and CEF scholar, shared at last year's Gaudeamus.
"Without your love and faith in Christ and generosity to CEF, without the scholarship I received, I wouldn’t be able to tell you my story and share my gratitude."
Hear the powerful testimony Emily Jimenez, Bishop Ward High School graduate and CEF scholar, shared at last year's Gaudeamus.
“There's families out there that believe that there's no hope or help, and there is.”
Meet the Caro family and hear the inspiring story of how scholarships from the Catholic Education Foundation have made a difference in their lives.
To top off the evening, CEF honored the Byron & Jeanne Thompson Family with the Michael & Patty Morrisey Angels Among Us Award.
Hear why the Thompson family is committed to supporting Catholic education and the impact they've made with their generosity.
Mark your calendar! The 2024 Gaudeamus benefit gala will be held on Saturday, October 12th, 2024 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
Please plan to join us as we gather to celebrate the truth, beauty and goodness of Catholic education!
JOIN THE LIST"Without your love and faith in Christ and generosity to CEF, without the scholarship I received, I wouldn’t be able to tell you my story and share my gratitude."
Hear the powerful testimony Emily Jimenez, Bishop Ward High School senior and CEF scholar, shared at Gaudeamus.
“This school always focuses on each child. Resurrection is a family. It's everything for me.”
Meet the Tapia Gamboa family and hear the inspiring story of how scholarships from the Catholic Education Foundation have made a difference in their lives.
CEF proudly honored the Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hear how Archbishop Naumann has championed Catholic education and his impact in the Archdiocese and beyond.
Keep up to date with our schools, meet CEF students and families and learn more about how your support changes lives.
Subscribe to the CEF newsletter to receive news about upcoming events, scholarship impact and more in your inbox!
JOIN THE LISTCelebrating Angels Among Us
Every year, we honor a member of our community for their dedication to Catholic education.
Rooted in their commitment to God, family and community, the Byron and Jeanne Thompson family has been instrumental in providing vital support to communities most in need across the Kansas City area.
Supporting Scholarships for Students in Need
For 20 years, the Catholic Education Foundation's Gaudeamus benefit gala has been the backbone of scholarships for low-income K-12 Catholic school students in northeast Kansas.
This year's event will provide the majority of the annual funds needed for CEF’s traditional, tuition-assistance scholarships. CEF provides support to more than 1,800 students in 23 schools throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
See you on October 28th for Gaudeamus!
The 2023 gala event chairs Craig & Karen Gaffney can't wait to see you at Gaudeamus on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
As graduates of CEF schools and longtime friends of the Thompson's, Craig & Karen bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this important role.
Meet the 2023 Gaudeamus Chairs
We are honored to have Craig and Karen Gaffney serving as the 2023 Gaudeamus chairs.
Under their leadership, this year's Gaudeamus benefit gala promises to be the best one yet.
The Catholic Education Foundation’s Gaudeamus benefit gala has been the backbone of scholarship funding for low-income K-12 Catholic school students in northeast Kansas for 21 years.
This year's event will provide the majority of the annual funds needed for CEF’s traditional, tuition-assistance scholarships. CEF provides support to more than 1,800 students in 23 schools throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
This year's Gaudeamus benefit gala will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
Please plan to join us as we celebrate the truth, beauty and goodness of Catholic education.
“It's like this weight just came off of you and you're thinking, 'My kids are gonna have a faith-filled education because I was able to receive this scholarship.' Thank you for the opportunities you have given my children.”
In 2022, we recognized the small group of Catholics whose lifelong passion for Catholic education and vision of changing the status quo, has fueled our mission and helped thousands of students and families in need. Meet our founders and hear their perspective on CEF's 25-year history.
Mark your calendar! The 2023 Gaudeamus benefit gala will be held on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
Plan to join us as we celebrate the truth, beauty and goodness of Catholic education!
JOIN THE LISTThe Catholic Education Foundation provides scholarships for low-income students to attend K-12 Catholic schools. We’re working every day to make high-quality, faith-filled education possible for children in poverty.