Rob Delany has a proven track record in organizational growth, most recently serving as former managing director of Public Financial Management.
As Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) looked for a new CEO, Delany had to decide whether to pursue and accept a job with an organization that was already doing pretty well, handing out about 17,000 need-based scholarships a year to students in more than 400 schools.
While 17,000 scholarships a year is a lot, the need is twice that number.
“Could I make a difference? Could I double that? Could I bridge that gap?” Delany thought to himself. “I followed my heart.”
Delany is now CEO and, earlier this month, marked National Scholarship Awareness Month by cutting the ribbon on an expanded office, with room for more employees, in King of Prussia.
A South Philly native, he is a graduate of St. Monica Elementary School (1980) and St. John Neumann High School (1984). He’s been a longtime supporter of the state tax credit programs that support scholarship organizations such as BLOCS.
“I’ve always had a passion for education. It’s the one thing that truly makes a difference in your life. It’s the pathway to a different life,” he said.
Delany, who replaced Dave Rowan, has built organizations that have experienced what he calls “explosive growth.”
“I intend to do that here,” he said.
Delany said he is lucky to assume leadership of the largest scholarship organization in the state and one with a good existing team.
He has met with Archbishop Nelson Perez, whom he describes as a big supporter of education. He’s also met with Auxiliary Bishop Keith Chylinski, who leads the Oversight for the Ministry of Education.
BLOCS funds values-based Pennsylvania private schools that offer a Catholic education, even if some of their students are members of another religion.
“These are children. Our view is we love them all,” Delany said.
BLOCS works with schools in more than 40 counties in Pennsylvania, and Delany wants to up that to all 67 counties.
Donors can take advantage of state programs such as the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Economically Disadvantaged School Program.
Delany sees these tax credit programs as “good surrogates” for vouchers, which have yet to pass the legislature and be signed by the governor.
The new CEO knows there are a lot of people who feel blessed to have a Catholic education and would strongly consider a donation through the EITC that would result in a 90 percent tax credit.
“Our biggest issue is awareness,” he said.
As for current donors, Delany believes – based on the whopping 90 percent tax credit – they’d be amenable to increasing their donation, say, from $500 to $5,000.
Donating can be as simple as writing a check and identifying the school where the money should be directed.
“BLOCS makes it easy,” Delany said.
Delany is confident BLOCS will continue to grow.
“The students are so inspiring. The donors are breathing life into all of this. We feel lucky we can be part of it,” he said. “I’m really excited. The board we have is one of the best collection of professionals I’ve had the opportunity to work for. I feel super fortunate to be able to advance their mission.” ••
Parents and donors can contact schools about financial aid and the necessary applications. For more information, visit blocs.org.
