Endowment
Investing in People and Possibility
Renbrook’s endowed funds represent far more than numbers on a balance sheet—they represent people, purpose, and promise. Gifts to Renbrook's endowed funds have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of students and teachers, ensuring that every child benefits from exceptional programs in technology, science, the arts, and athletics.
Our endowment also sustains financial aid, opening doors for bright, motivated students who might not otherwise have access to a Renbrook education. These gifts strengthen our community by fostering a vibrant mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
By investing in Renbrook’s endowment, you help secure the school’s future and preserve the excellence that generations of alumni, parents, faculty, and friends have built. Your support sustains the transformative Renbrook experience, inspiring students today and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Endowed Funds:
Established in 1983 by the Aetna Foundation to provide scholarships for Hartford students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Established in 2000 by Anthony Talcott Enders '49, March Enders Kornack '38, and other family members in honor of Alice Talcott Enders, a founder of Renbrook School. The fund provides support for faculty members to grow as teachers and experts in their fields.
Established in 1987 to help make a Renbrook education accessible through scholarships for deserving students.
Established in 2002 by the Rogow Greenberg Foundation, together with family and friends, in loving memory of Amy Toyen — daughter of faculty member Dorine Toyen and Marty Toyen — whose life was lost in the World Trade Center.
Established in 2022 through a generous gift from Lori McGee, former Renbrook parent, the Betsy Flynn Innovative Teaching and Learning Fund serves as a lasting endowment supporting educational innovation. The fund extends the McGee family’s legacy of generosity and their continued investment in Renbrook’s Center for Teaching and Learning, first established in 2013.
Established in 2019 by Renbrook supporters and friends of Bill Kindl, this fund honors his 40 years of dedicated service as Renbrook’s Director of Operations. The fund ensures the ongoing care, maintenance, and enhancement of the school’s buildings and grounds, preserving the spaces that support Renbrook’s vibrant community.
The Bill Nixon Fund for Innovative and Creative Teaching was established in 2023 by Katie Nixon in memory of her husband, Bill Nixon, Renbrook’s beloved longtime science teacher. The fund provides financial support for faculty professional development, empowering teachers to grow as innovative and creative educators and inspiring a lifelong love of learning in both teachers and students.
Established in 2007 by the Blakeley Family.
Established in 1982 to support Renbrook’s unrestricted endowment, faculty salaries, and student tuition assistance.
Established in 1995 to increase the general endowment.
Established by the Classes of 1984 and 1985, with half of the fund’s interest designated for scholarship support.
Established in 1999 by friends and family in memory of Dennis R. Richey, trustee and parent, this fund provides support for African-American, Latino/Hispanic, or first-generation immigrant students entering Kindergarten or Grade 1.
Eligible families have household incomes less than three times the federal poverty level, and the fund helps to make a Renbrook education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
Funded in 2019 by Renbrook supporters and admirers of retiring faculty member Joe DeSisto, this fund honors his 28 years of dedication to teaching and mentoring at Renbrook. The fund provides support for the school’s theatre program as well as the Upper School’s Life, Learning, and Leadership curriculum, continuing Joe’s legacy of inspiring creativity, growth, and leadership in students.
Created in 1978 by the Gengras children to honor their parents, this fund provides lasting support for Renbrook’s arts program.
Established in 2020 as a permanent endowment through contributions from family and friends in memory of Merritt McDonough—a cherished Renbrook parent, grandparent, trustee, and corporator—this fund provides financial aid to students with demonstrated need.
Founded in 1968 by Michael Suisman, this fund honors a faculty member whose commitment, skill, and passion for teaching the humanities reflect the very best of the teaching profession. The fund helps support their salary, recognizing and sustaining excellence in the classroom.
Founded in 1967 by Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Grant, this fund honors a graduating student each year who has distinguished themselves through a notable quality or achievement, celebrating excellence and accomplishment.
Founded in 1972 by Dr. and Mrs. William H. Tripp to honor Eugene Swan, retired Head of Upper School, this fund recognizes a graduating student each year who speaks the truth and demonstrates faith in the promise and future of young people.
The Fitzsousa/Scherer Fund to Support the Teaching of Writing was established in 2022 through a generous gift from Anthony ’82 and Alison Scherer to enhance and support the teaching of writing at Renbrook.
Established by friends in memory of Florence M. G. Greene, this fund provides financial assistance to help defray tuition costs for a student from an underrepresented or underserved background.
Established in 2007 by Mr. and Mrs. Howard A. Fromson, this fund provides support for student scholarships.
Founded in 1981 by Renbrook School grandparents, this fund gives the Head of School a flexible resource, with income and principal available for discretionary use to address the school’s evolving needs and opportunities.
Founded in 1982 by Renbrook School grandparents, this fund helps sustain the library’s operations, ensuring students and faculty have access to the resources and materials that enrich learning.
Established in 2007 by the Hauss Family.
Founded in 1982 by Henry W. Nozko, Sr., this fund awards three summer sabbatical grants annually, giving faculty members the opportunity to pursue professional growth, research, and creative projects.
Founded in 1970 by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Isenberg, this fund helps enrich the Alan N. Houghton Library’s collection, ensuring students have access to a diverse and inspiring range of books.
Founded in 1981 by Betty Stanley to honor James Henderson, a former faculty member, this fund recognizes a student each year who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and collaborative spirit in team athletics.
Founded in 1981 by family and friends to honor the memory of Jane Allen, a former teacher, this fund provides flexible support for the school’s general programs and initiatives.
Founded in 1994 by family and friends in memory of John Buckey, this fund enables aspiring teachers to gain hands-on classroom experience under the guidance of talented mentors and to participate fully in the life of the school. Preference is given to Renbrook graduates when feasible. The fund may also support innovative initiatives that advance teaching excellence, at the discretion of the Head of School.
Founded in 1973 by Dr. and Mrs. John Donnelly to honor their son, John Donnelly ’67, this fund helps make a Renbrook education accessible by supporting students through scholarship assistance.
Founded in 1984 by the Class of 1973 to honor Julie Haggen Johnson, this fund encourages and sustains a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship at Renbrook.
Founded in 1996 by family and friends to honor the memory of Justin Brent Nozko ’96, this fund helps provide scholarships, ensuring that deserving students have the opportunity to benefit from a Renbrook education.
Founded in 1982 by the Parent Association, this fund provides opportunities for Renbrook faculty to pursue continuing education, professional growth, and innovative teaching practices.
Established in 1965 by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Pomer in memory of their son, Leonard Pomer ’64, this fund provides an annual award to a graduating student whose exemplary character and integrity set a worthy example for others.
Established in 1988 by David Rhinelander, this fund provides an annual award to a student who demonstrates exceptional aptitude and achievement in science, as well as a passion and commitment to scientific exploration beyond the classroom.
Founded in 1992 by family and friends to honor Richard McLeod, this fund offers annual tuition assistance to a gifted Hartford student, helping ensure access to a Renbrook education regardless of financial circumstance.
Founded in 1996 by family and friends to honor Sarah Prud’homme, Head of Drama, this fund provides resources for curriculum enhancement and faculty professional development, fostering creativity and excellence in teaching.
Founded in 1972 by Wesley T. Sorenson, this fund helps preserve and maintain Renbrook’s campus, with half of the income specifically allocated for the upkeep of the school’s buildings and grounds.
Founded in 1983 by the Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation, this fund helps ensure that students on full tuition assistance have access to basic necessities that families may be unable to provide, supporting their full participation in the Renbrook experience.
Founded in 1968 by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Phelps to honor the memory of their daughter, Stewart Frances Phelps, this fund awards a scholarship each year to a deserving girl in the Beginning or Lower School, supporting her early educational journey at Renbrook.
Founded in 1962 by Michael Suisman, this fund helps provide scholarships to support students in accessing a Renbrook education.
Established as a permanent endowment in 2020 with contributions from family and friends in Quint's memory, the fund provides financial aid to Renbrook students who have demonstrated need.
A 2015 Renbrook School alumnus, Quint Noyes passed away suddenly on June 25, 2020. Quint was known for his charisma, humor, positivity, and genuine love of people. To that end, the scholarship is intended to support and inspire generations of Renbrook students to foster the same charisma, humor, positivity, and love for others Quint exhibited throughout his life.
Founded in 1986 by family and friends to honor Leon Sakow, this fund encourages and supports a lifelong appreciation and passion for music within the Renbrook community.
Founded in 1987 by Virginia G. Whitehill, this fund provides resources for Renbrook staff to pursue professional growth and continuing education, fostering excellence in teaching and learning.
Founded in 1966 by friends and faculty to honor Mrs. Wanda White, a former Renbrook teacher, this fund recognizes an Upper School student each year for their outstanding curiosity and engagement in Social Studies through an annual book award.
Founded in 2005 by David and Nancy Zwiener and their children Kristen ’98, Carolyn ’01, Laura ’01, and Eric ’05, this fund celebrates the outstanding dedication of Renbrook faculty, particularly honoring Debbie Brasher for her more than four decades of inspiring and shaping generations of students.