Donation is among largest gift to a school in Florida history
TAMPA, Fla. (May 16, 2019) — Arnie Bellini, a 1976 graduate of Tampa Catholic High School, in cooperation with his family and school administrators, has announced a $7 million gift to his alma mater. The goal of the gift is to equip students with skills that support the modernization of arts and digital education to create leaders for the 21st century work force.
It is the single largest gift to a Catholic school in Florida history; and one of the largest to any Florida school.
Bellini, the former CEO of ConnectWise, sold his company earlier this year to a Silicon Valley private equity firm. He made the announcement in the Tampa Catholic High School gymnasium to much fanfare with students, parents, alumni and faculty present.
”Our family hopes this will inspire other donors to help us make innovative education a differentiator in Tampa so we can grow talent and keep talent right here, and fill the gap where so many cuts are being made in education budgets,” Bellini said.
“For more than 50 years, Tampa Catholic has built upon our traditions of faith, excellence and family by offering a superior high school experience to all our students,” said Robert Lees, Tampa Catholic Principal. “Mr. Bellini’s gift will transform the face of education at Tampa Catholic and impact the entire community for generations to come. His generosity is a wonderful example of leadership that we hope others will follow.”
About Tampa Catholic High School
Tampa Catholic High School is a leader in the education of boys and girls in the Edmund Rice tradition. We are a Catholic high school in the Diocese of St. Petersburg dedicated to providing our students with “Veritas et Caritas” (truth and charity) through educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment. Tampa Catholic has more than 760 students enrolled in its college preparatory curriculum and 99% of its graduates continue their education at a college or university. The school now has more than 9,100 alumni who proudly live the school’s ideal of Faith, Excellence & Family in Tampa and throughout the world. Follow us on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/tampacatholic; https://www.instagram.com/tampa_catholic/; https://twitter.com/tampacatholic/