A Reason for Optimism
Dear Friends and Partners,
As we enter 2026, we do so with genuine optimism—an optimism grounded not in abstraction, but in what we are seeing, supporting, and building together across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and beyond.
We have just concluded the Jubilee Year of Hope, a period that invited the Church to reflect deeply on renewal, mercy, and trust in God’s providence. As we turn the page, that hope does not recede; rather, it propels us forward into a future rich with promises. The signs before us are encouraging. Across Los Angeles and throughout the country, we are witnessing green shoots of growth—evident in rising numbers of conversions and baptisms among young people, and a renewed openness to faith from generations thought to be wholly secularized. These moments remind us that the Holy Spirit is very much at work.
At the Dan Murphy Foundation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthening the operational vitality of Archdiocesan Catholic high schools. That commitment is bearing fruit in three critical areas.
First, we are seeing tangible progress in long-deferred infrastructure repairs and campus improvements. Safe, dignified, and well-maintained facilities are not luxuries; they are foundational to forming students academically and spiritually.
Second, our support for academic performance improvement programs is helping schools confront the reality of unfinished learning—not learning loss—particularly in our neediest communities. By meeting students where they are and investing in targeted instructional strategies, these programs are restoring confidence, and opportunity.
Third, we are deeply encouraged by the robust teaching and evangelical initiatives led by the Department of Catholic Schools’ Chief of Mission and Catholic Identity team. Their work is helping ensure that Catholic education remains unmistakably Catholic – rooted in truth, animated by faith, and attentive to the whole person.
We also remain committed to supporting programs that foster new vocations to priesthood and religious life. The future of the Church depends in part on our willingness to invite, accompany, and form those who feel called to consecrated service. In the year ahead, we will continue seeking and applying best practices from across the country to promote a renewed commitment to religious life within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Finally, as good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, we are looking inward as well. In 2026, the Foundation will take steps to improve our own operational efficiency by incorporating AI-powered research and analytical tools into our funding decisions. These tools will not replace discernment, prayer, or human judgment—but they will enhance our ability to identify needs, measure impact, and deploy capital wisely and responsibly.
We are profoundly grateful to our partners, school leaders, clergy, religious, educators, and parter agencies who make this work possible. Together, we move into the new year with hope sharpened by experience, optimism strengthened by evidence, and faith rooted in the enduring mission of the Church.
May 2026 be a year of continued growth, renewed calling, and faithful service.
With gratitude and resolve,
David A. Fuhrman
President, Dan Murphy Foundation
