By Catholic Philly staff • Posted March 21, 2023

On Saturday, March 11, La Salle University honored ­­Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) at the 30th annual Charter Dinner at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with the Lasallian Impact Award. Dave Rowan, BLOCS CEO, received the award on the organization’s behalf.

The Lasallian Impact Award recognizes organizations that value education in the spirit of St. John Baptist de La Salle, while also demonstrating respect for employees; valuing diversity of thought; nurturing mentorship; and acting ethically, collaboratively and responsibly.

“For over 40 years, BLOCS, in conjunction with our partner schools, has created boundless educational opportunities for students all across the Philadelphia area,” said BLOCS CEO Dave Rowan. “We are thrilled to receive the Lasallian Impact Award honoring the important work we do in stewarding the next generation of leaders through the power of education.”

“BLOCS’ profound commitment to the educational advancement of Philadelphia students spans four decades,” said La Salle University President Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D. “Their financial support of our innovative dual-enrollment program, the La Salle Early Achievement Program, further demonstrates their remarkable work to increase accessibility to Catholic education and enhance opportunities for students in archdiocesan schools. For these reasons, we are honored to recognize BLOCS with this year’s Lasallian Impact Award.”

Founded in 1980, BLOCS has been committed to providing access to high-quality, values-based Catholic education as an alternative to local public schools for any eligible pre-K, elementary school, high school, and special education students.

Recently, BLOCS made a substantial financial commitment to the La Salle Early Achievement Program (LEAP) with a $250,000 pledge to the University’s dual-enrollment program. The quarter-million-dollar pledge from BLOCS will guarantee entry into the University’s LEAP program for students enrolled in Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools who are also currently receiving BLOCS scholarship assistance.

BLOCS provides more than 17,000 need-based scholarships each year to more than 300 tuition-based schools in the greater Philadelphia area and across the state of Pennsylvania. BLOCS raised an unprecedented $100 million in 2022 in individual and corporate donations, with more than 96 cents of every dollar donated distributed directly to families through BLOCS’ partner schools.