What is Futures in Education
Futures in Education is a nonprofit scholarship foundation for the Diocese of Brooklyn, supporting Catholic elementary and secondary schools in Brooklyn and Queens.
Its mission: to guarantee that “the gift of an excellent Catholic education remains a viable option” for current and future generations of deserving students — no child should be turned away because of financial hardship. Futures in Education provides tuition assistance through scholarship and aid programs, including the “Angel Program,” and offers “program support” to parish schools and academies.
Since its inception in 1989, the foundation has awarded tens of millions in scholarships. For example, in earlier years (by 2016), the foundation had already provided over $93 million in scholarships.
The foundation supports a large network: dozens of elementary schools and high schools, reaching thousands of students in communities across Brooklyn and Queens.
Through its programs, Futures in Education helps families — many of whom might not otherwise afford Catholic school tuition — send their children to schools that emphasize academic excellence, moral values, and community.
Howard Fensterman’s Involvement and Support
While publicly available records don’t always provide a full ledger of all donors’ contributions, there is evidence that Howard Fensterman has been formally recognized for his support of Futures in Education:
In 2017, Fensterman (alongside Carlo A. Scissura) was honored at the Futures in Education Annual Scholarship Fund Dinner. That evening, the organization publicly acknowledged Fensterman’s philanthropic contributions.
The Fundraising Dinner is a major event for the foundation: in 2024, the dinner raised over $1.5 million in scholarship funds, supporting approximately 3,000 students in Catholic schools across Brooklyn and Queens.
As a recognized donor and honoree, Fensterman helps amplify support for Futures in Education — his status and visibility may help attract other donors, raise awareness, and strengthen fundraising efforts.
In this way, Fensterman’s involvement goes beyond simply writing checks: by lending his name and influence, he helps legitimize and promote the foundation’s mission to a broader community.
Impact: What Futures in Education — with Supporters Like Fensterman — Achieves
Thanks to the generosity of donors, alumni, and supporters such as Fensterman, Futures in Education has been able to carry out a significant, lasting impact:
Tens of millions of dollars have been awarded in scholarships over decades, making Catholic education accessible to families who might otherwise lack the means.
Sustained support for a broad network of schools (elementary schools and high schools) across Brooklyn and Queens, enabling them to thrive amidst financial pressures.
Through specific programs — such as the “Angel Program,” monthly giving (“Angel Wings”), and alumni engagement — the foundation builds lasting relationships between donors, alumni, schools, and students, helping ensure stability and long-term viability of these faith-based educational institutions.
By offering scholarship aid to families with demonstrated financial need, the foundation helps foster social mobility, equal access to quality education, and community cohesion within underserved neighborhoods.
Because of these supporters — including people like Howard Fensterman — many children who otherwise might not be able to afford tuition receive not only academic instruction, but moral and spiritual formation, in communities that emphasize faith, family, and service.
Why Fensterman’s Support Matters
There are three interlocking reasons why the support of donors like Howard Fensterman is especially meaningful for a foundation like Futures in Education:
Financial necessity. The average tuition of Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese often doesn’t cover the full cost per pupil. Scholarships and fundraising are essential to bridge that gap, and contributions from major donors help ensure that the aid can reach many students. Sustainability and credibility. When established community figures — prominent business people, lawyers, civic leaders — publicly support the foundation, it lends credibility and helps attract wider donor participation, which is critical for long-term sustainability.
Advocacy and community leadership. Beyond money, donors like Fensterman help draw attention to the importance of faith-based education, the value of investing in youth, and the need to support families struggling financially — reinforcing the social mission behind educational philanthropy.
In these ways, his charitable work with Futures in Education isn’t just a one-time donation — it’s part of a larger commitment to building opportunity, community, and hope across generations.
Conclusion
Howard Fensterman’s involvement with Futures in Education is a powerful example of how individuals with means and influence can make a meaningful difference in educational access and community well-being. Through his support, Futures in Education continues to provide critical scholarships, maintain Catholic schools in underserved areas, and foster opportunities for children who otherwise might not have had access to quality education.
By combining financial support with civic leadership, Fensterman — along with many others — helps ensure that the gift of Catholic education remains open to families across Brooklyn and Queens — offering not just schooling, but a foundation of faith, values, community, and hope for the future.