St. Michael School announces establishment of M. Brenda Shaw Endowment Fund
Augusta – St. Michael School is pleased to announce the establishment of the M. Brenda Shaw Endowment Fund at the Catholic Foundation of Maine. Ms. Shaw, an Augusta native, bequeathed $2.9 million to the school upon her passing in August 2025.
The endowment fund named in her honor will be used to provide tuition assistance, bringing to fruition Ms. Shaw’s wish to help eliminate financial barriers parents may feel are in the way of sending their children to St. Michael School and furthering St. Michael School’s mission of making a quality Catholic education accessible to as many families as possible.
Ms. Shaw was herself a graduate of St. Mary’s School in Augusta, which combined with St. Augustine School in 2007 to create St. Michael School. She went on to graduate from Cony High School. Throughout her life she was an active parishioner of St. Mary’s Church/St. Michael Parish in Augusta, for which St. Michael is the parish school. For most of her career, Ms. Shaw held three jobs. A devoted and energetic person, even losing a leg to cancer did not stop her from pursuing her favorite pastimes such as gardening.
“The St. Michael School community has been deeply blessed by Ms. Shaw’s generosity. We are incredibly grateful for her gift, which will have a positive impact well beyond the walls of our school. As we form students in the Catholic faith, cultivate academic excellence, and inspire a lifelong commitment to service and leadership, we are strengthening our community in the present, as well as equipping the next generation of leaders. Ms. Shaw’s gift ensures that we are able to welcome all families who wish to have their child educated in the Catholic tradition, continuing to bless our school and community now and for generations to come,” said Alanna Stevenson, Principal of St. Michael School.
“Through our school, St. Michael Parish participates in Christ’s mission to bring truth, hope, and love to a world in need. Supporting Catholic education is not just about academics – it is about evangelization, justice and mercy. Each day, Catholic schools ensure that children and their families encounter the face of Christ in their education; truly a gift. Ms. Shaw’s bequest is a beautiful act of charity that will help share this gift with many more families in the years to come,” said Fr. Nathan March, Pastor of St. Michael Parish.
An event is being planned for the spring to celebrate the establishment of the endowment fund.
About St. Michael School:
St. Michael School, the parish school of St. Michael Parish, provides a rigorous academic program while nurturing the minds, bodies, and spirits of our children to help them grow into caring and intelligent leaders. The school was established in 2007 with the merger of two local Catholic schools, St. Mary School (est. 1913) and St. Augustine School (est. 1892). In the 2025/2026 school year, 190 PK3-8 th grade students are enrolled at St. Michael School. Learn more at: www.smsmaine.org.
