Type of service: Private middleschool for underserved young men
Connecticut employees: 9
Headquarters: Hartford
Top executive: Jeff Digel, chairman of the board
Nomination category: Nonprofit volunteer of the year
Jeff Digel is a former corporate executive, who, along with Patrick Moore, founded a tuition free middle school for underserved boys in Hartford called Covenant Preparatory School.
According to Moore, now head of school at Covenant, Digel provided the initial startup capital and has raised an additional $1 million from individual investors. Additionally, Digel has built a board of trustees — including leaders from the region’s private high schools — to ensure the integrity of the school’s academics and the student’s preparation for high school success.
In its second year, the school has 40 students and will add an 8th grade class next year.
