HINKEBEIN FAMILY BUSINESS LAUNCHES NEW ENDOWMENT FUND

Family Plans to Build the Fund Over Time

(Louisville, Ky.) – The Catholic Education Foundation of Louisville (the “Foundation”) today announced the latest addition to its growing endowment fund that will further the mission of the organization.

The Alex and Chris Hinkebein families, along with their family-owned business, The DFH Company, recently founded a new permanently endowed fund at the Foundation in memory of their parents, Don and Myrna Hinkebein.  Earnings from the fund will be used exclusively to provide tuition assistance to Catholic elementary students in the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Growing up in a family with deep Catholic school roots, Don attended St. Agnes School and St. Xavier High School, after which he earned his undergraduate degree from Bellarmine University.  He then joined the family’s heating and air conditioning business on the corner of Shelby and Broadway in downtown Louisville.  With the help of his sons, The DFH Company has grown into a successful and thriving local business.  Don would often tell others that his Catholic education was the foundation of his success in both personal and business endeavors.

Company President Alex Hinkebein remarked, “My dad was so passionate about Catholic education and the Catholic Education Foundation was always one of his favorite charities.  This tribute to our parents is very meaningful to our entire family, and it is our hope that this new fund will empower many young needy children in the community to attend a Catholic school.”

Foundation President Richard A. Lechleiter exclaimed, “Wow, we are so elated that a successful local business like The DFH Company recognizes the value of a Catholic education and its importance to the community!  This extremely generous gift gives us even more confidence to say, ‘The Answer is Yes!’ to everyone who needs us.  We are indeed grateful to Chris, Alex, the Hinkebein family and everyone at DFH for this wonderful gift!”

The Hinkebein family intends to add to the fund over time to further expand its impact. Alex and Chris are also considering ways to invite both customers and suppliers of The DFH Company to participate in growing the value of the new fund. Alex noted, “Many of our customers and suppliers have been with us for decades and have formed great friendships with our family. We think that this new fund and its purpose will excite others to join us in changing the futures of young children in this community!”

Chris also expressed his hope that this new fund will inspire other local businesses to establish their own endowments at the Foundation.  “I know that there are many companies in this community that wouldn’t be as successful as they are if it weren’t for Catholic school graduates serving in key leadership roles within those organizations. I would encourage other business owners to consider an investment in the Catholic Education Foundation – we couldn’t be happier with our choice!”

For more information, contact Director of Development Kevin Woodward at 502.585.2747 or kwoodward@ceflou.org .

About the Catholic Education Foundation and Catholic Schools

For over 200 years, Catholic schools have contributed significantly to the social, spiritual and economic fabric of our community. The Catholic Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Since 1999, the Foundation has awarded over $37 million in support of Catholic education.

For the 2019/2020 school year, the Foundation and its funding partners – the Archdiocese of Louisville, the 40 Catholic elementary schools in central Kentucky, School Choice Scholarships of Kentucky and Community Catholic Center – awarded tuition assistance to an all-time high 3,250 Catholic elementary school students in central Kentucky with grants aggregating a record $6.5 million.

The Archdiocese of Louisville sponsors 40 elementary schools with 12,800 students and nine high schools with 5,900 students across central Kentucky.

Visit the Foundation at www.ceflou.org.