January 25, 2024
Cleveland, Ohio – Saint Ignatius High School announced today that Brittan and Fred DiSanto ’80, former Chairman of the Board of Regents (’06-’09), have committed $10 million to the school’s Campaign for Vision ’30. Their gift will be used to fund the construction and future operation of a new three-story academic wing which will house, among other academic programs, a world class Visual Arts department with multiple visual arts studios on the third floor, along with a dedicated Advanced Placement Visual Arts studio on the mezzanine level. Brittan, a visual arts professional, and Fred have long supported their passion for the visual arts, as well as other academic programs that cultivate creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills in young men. Construction will begin early in 2024, with completion expected in August 2025.
The DiSanto’s leadership gift is their largest to date, and one of the largest in the school’s history, and adds to their generous support of various academic programs and capital projects at the school, including The Welsh Academy and Kesicki Hall, the Breen Center for the Performing Arts, and numerous scholarships.
“With its focus on Academic Excellence, Faith Formation and Affordability, the school’s Vision ’30 strategic plan provides a clear roadmap not only for the next ten years, but for generations of students to come,” commented Fred. “This gift, like our other gifts, is about the mission of the school with its focus on Catholic education in the 500-year-old Jesuit tradition of forming 'Men for Others.' Brittan and I are excited to be able to support that vision through the development of academic facilities and programs that will enhance the learning experience and opportunities for the students and provide a state-of-the art learning environment similar to what they will experience in college.”
Pictured: Brittan & Fred DiSanto '80 and Lia & TJ DiSanto '06
“We have been working with Brittan and Fred for several years on plans to enhance our visual arts facilities. With their gift, we will not only see those plans become reality, but we are also able to significantly enhance our academic facilities with several new classrooms, student common areas, and student support services,” said Father Ray Guiao, S.J. ’82, President and Chief Mission Officer of Saint Ignatius High School. “We are extremely grateful to Brittan and Fred for their ongoing generosity and their passion for our mission.”
With DiSanto's gift, the school also announced the next phase of its Campaign for Vision ’30, now moving into the public phase of fundraising toward the realization of the school’s strategic plan.
Paul Pace ’90, Chairman of the Board of Regents, noted that with the leadership gift from Brittan and Fred DiSanto, our Board of Regents unanimously approved commencement of construction. “As with all major capital improvements, we rely on the generosity of benefactors to provide funding for construction; and while we still have work to do, we are confident we will reach our capital fundraising goal for the Campaign for Vision ’30 of $50 million, along with another $50 million to continue to build our Endowment,” said Paul.
For more information on The Campaign for Vision ’30 visit
www.ignatius.edu/vision-30.