After seven years at the helm of the Sacred Heart Foundation, Denny DeMers and Mark Brickson have announced their retirements effective July 1, 2023. They have agreed to stick around for a while as mentors for the incoming leadership of the foundation.

Both Denny and Mark had recently retired from full careers in administration and fundraising when the foundation's board of directors hired them on June 1, 2016. They dug into management and donor relations issues and the financial and facility needs of a growing student body at Sacred Heart School. With the support and direction of the Sacred Heart Foundation Board of Directors, Sacred Heart School Development Office (now Advancement Office), and parish and school administration, they embarked upon both short-term and long-term strategic and tactical planning.

During their tenure, Mark and Denny were successful in putting some “meat on the bones” of the infant Foundation. They increased the number of donors and grew the net assets of the foundation to nearly $9 million. Their efforts led to a $4 million addition to the school in 2019, adding much needed classroom space for a blossoming student population without needing debt service. This addition was dedicated to the Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict and turned over to the school.

In addition to adding property assets to the parish and school during Denny and Mark's tenure, the foundation distributed nearly $4.9 million to students and their families through scholarships and tuition assistance and generated more than $900,000 in grants..

As Denny and Mark transition into their second retirement, they wish to thank the Sacred Heart Foundation Board of Directors, parish and school administration and the Sacred Heart School Advancement Office for the opportunity to serve in a purposeful and meaning way. They especially want to thank the teachers, support staff and building management personnel – together they provide a special and unique learning environment for the students and families at Sacred Heart for which donors sacrifice and invest.

Together the “campsite has been left a bit better,” say Denny and Mark. There remains much more to accomplish and there will always be needs to meet. Thus, as Denny and Mark move on, we celebrate success as we...