board@isaacnewtonfoundation.org
Isaac Newton Foundation

Building the Foundation for STEM Education

A Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting the MaST Community Charter Schools — providing the facilities and stewardship that let great teaching happen.

Who We Are

Our Mission

The Isaac Newton Foundation supports the health, welfare, and educational interests of the Mathematics, Science & Technology (MaST) Community Charter Schools. Organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, the Foundation acts as a financial and property-holding vehicle that helps build, maintain, and support learning environments tailored around STEM education.

What We Do

Supporting the MaST Charter Schools

The Foundation carries out its mission largely through real estate and facilities management. It leases property to several campuses under the MaST umbrella — ensuring these schools have the physical infrastructure they need to operate. By acting as a supportive landlord and asset manager, the Foundation lets school administrators focus on curriculum and student success while it handles macro-level facility and financial needs.

Facilities & Real Estate

Building, holding, and leasing the campuses where MaST students learn every day.

Asset Stewardship

Maintaining property and managing resources so funds directly benefit the schools.

STEM-Focused Environments

Supporting learning spaces purpose-built around mathematics, science, and technology.

The Schools We Support

The MaST Schools

MaST Schools is the charter-school network that oversees three campuses in Philadelphia — founded in 1999 to create innovative pathways for students pursuing math, science, and technology. The Isaac Newton Foundation proudly supports all three.

MaST Community Charter School campus

MaST Community Charter School

MaST I · Grades K–12

The founding flagship campus in Somerton, Northeast Philadelphia (1800 E. Byberry Rd), established in 1999.

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MaST Community Charter School II campus

MaST Community Charter School II

MaST II · Grades K–12

Home to a beautiful campus on the Delaware River, in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.

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MaST Community Charter School III campus

MaST Community Charter School III

MaST III · Grades K–12

A K–12 campus located at 1 Crown Way in Philadelphia.

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4700

students

40

Enrolled ZIP Codes

Three

campuses

Accountability

Governance & Oversight

As an entity exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3), the Foundation submits an annual Form 990 to the IRS detailing its revenues, expenses, and assets. Its financial statements are audited by an independent accountant to ensure strict regulatory compliance and to verify that all activities directly benefit the affiliated public charter schools.

Leadership

Board of Directors

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Karen DelGuercio

President

Karen DelGuercio is a retired educator who spent 30 years with the School District of Philadelphia, including roles as Regional Superintendent and Middle/High School Principal. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, and Arcadia University. She is the Founder of the Foundation, MaST I and the School, and has been active in Pennsylvania's charter school movement since 1997, including service on the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools' Executive Board.

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Janice Brophy

Vice President & Secretary

Janice Brophy worked in the School District of Philadelphia's Office of General Counsel for nearly 30 years before joining MaST in 2000 as Assistant to the CEO, Board Secretary, and HR Manager. She retired from MaST I in 2013 and now serves on the Foundation Board and as MaST III's Board President.

Louis DeCree

Louis DeCree

Treasurer

Louis DeCree is Vice President of Ceded Reinsurance Claims at Arch Insurance Group, where he has worked since 2007. He previously spent seven years advising insurance clients at a national CPA/consulting firm. He holds a B.A. in Accounting from The Catholic University of America and is a licensed CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner. Lou also serves as MaST II's Board President.

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Hope Inge

Member

Hope Inge is a contracts and legal professional with over 15 years of experience in contract management, compliance, and legal analysis. She currently serves as a Contract Specialist II in Labcorp's Clinical Trials division, having previously spent eight years there as a Project (Legal) Contract Analyst. She holds a B.A. from Bennett College and an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Technology from Guilford Technical Community College.

Contact

Get in Touch

For inquiries related to the Isaac Newton Foundation, please reach out to our board.

board@isaacnewtonfoundation.org