Thomas Cusmano
Regional Director, Strategic Partnerships
Thomas (Tom) Cusmano is Regional Director, Strategic Partnerships at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Prior to joining the Commonwealth Foundation in early 2022, Tom spent twelve years at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) and its student journalism subsidiary, the Collegiate Network (CN). Both ISI and CN educate, train, and mentor America’s most promising principled student leaders, scholars, and future journalists.
Tom has spent three decades facilitating development support for national, regional, and statewide charitable organizations. He says, “The greatest blessing of my professional life has been to assist an inspiring group of dedicated, patriotic, and generous Americans with their philanthropy. I now have the opportunity to return that inspiration for my home state of Pennsylvania through the worthy endeavors of the Commonwealth Foundation.”
Tom has been a Pennsylvania resident since 1994 and proudly proclaims another great blessing, living in Amish Country, where he, his wife, and family “found home.”
Education
Lifeline (PASS) Scholarship Program
Overview Lifeline Scholarships, also known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) program, would offer an Education Opportunity Account (EOA) to any student residing in a school ranked in…
Fact Sheet
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Democrat House Legislator Calls on Governor, Colleagues to Support School Choice in State Budget
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 1, 2023 – Democrat State Rep. Amen Brown today voiced his support for including school choice legislation in the final state budget deal. Brown’s statement of…
Press Release
Read More: Democrat House Legislator Calls on Governor, Colleagues to Support School Choice in State BudgetRegulation
Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybody
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Gov. Josh Shapiro’s PR people clearly have a new strategy. After the barrage of negative headlines questioning his effectiveness as a politician —…
Media Hit
Read More: Forget I-95, Gov. Shapiro should slash the bureaucracy for everybodyState Budget
History shows Gov. Shapiro’s next move matters
Originally published in The Patriot-News The next few months are critical to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s legacy, and he knows it. The 2023–24 state budget, due June 30th, remains…
Media Hit
Read More: History shows Gov. Shapiro’s next move mattersState Budget
What They Are Saying: Brutal Headlines for Shapiro, Strong Support for Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has found himself in hot water after he reneged on a key campaign promise to implement Lifeline Scholarships. His decision…
Press Release
Read More: What They Are Saying: Brutal Headlines for Shapiro, Strong Support for ScholarshipsState Budget
Commonwealth Foundation Statement On Senate-Shapiro Budget Progress
Harrisburg, Pa., July 28, 2023 – Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield issued the following reaction today on Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward’s statement that the Senate continues to work…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Statement On Senate-Shapiro Budget ProgressState Budget
House Democrats’ Budget Bungle Leaves Programs Without Funding
Harrisburg, Pa., July 27, 2023 – More than a dozen notable Pennsylvania budget line-items risk going unfunded following Democrats’ unwillingness to uphold the bipartisan deal agreed to by Gov. Josh…
Press Release
Read More: House Democrats’ Budget Bungle Leaves Programs Without FundingEducation
Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to Stay
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Do you know someone who left Pennsylvania – or is considering doing so – to find greener pastures? You’re not alone. Nearly half of Pennsylvanians…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are Leaving – But Shapiro, Lawmakers Can Inspire Them to StayEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Experts Available to Discuss Today’s Pa. Senate Education Hearing
Harrisburg, Pa., July 25, 2023 – The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee today will hold a hearing to discuss student opportunities for success. Committee members and witnesses are expected to discuss…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Experts Available to Discuss Today’s Pa. Senate Education HearingEducation
Rep. Martina White Calls on Gov. Shapiro to Keep His Promise, Deliver on Lifeline Scholarships
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 24, 2023 – State Rep. Martina White from Northeast Philadelphia passionately advocated for school choice and Lifeline Scholarships on the latest episode of the Commonwealth Foundation’s…
Press Release
Read More: Rep. Martina White Calls on Gov. Shapiro to Keep His Promise, Deliver on Lifeline ScholarshipsEducation
School Choice Report, Episode 10
In this episode, host Dave Hardy interviews Pennsylvania State Representative Martina White. We find out the “why” behind her support of school choice, why the issue is important, and why…
Podcast
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Stefano: Shapiro can turn his political blunder into a moral good and transform the Democratic Party
Many people viewed Gov. Josh Shapiro as the leader who could transform the Democratic Party and “deliver it from the clutches of the government unions, which have radicalized the party,”…
Press Release
Read More: Stefano: Shapiro can turn his political blunder into a moral good and transform the Democratic PartyTaxes & Economy
Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano talks Bidenomics on Newsmax July 20, 2023
Topics on this pageBidenomicsEconomic policy of the Biden administrationJoe BidenNewsmax…
Media Hit
Read More: Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano talks Bidenomics on Newsmax July 20, 2023Regulation
Bidenomics Doesn’t Add Up for Pennsylvania or America
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania President Joe Biden is returning to his birth state to pitch his newly branded economic vision: Bidenomics. Though Biden seems eager to paint a rosy…
Media Hit
Read More: Bidenomics Doesn’t Add Up for Pennsylvania or AmericaEducation
Pennsylvania Voters Want Shapiro to Honor the Deal He Made to Fund Lifeline Scholarships
Harrisburg, Pa., July 19, 2023 — A large, bipartisan majority of Pennsylvania voters (65%) believe Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro should honor the agreement he made with state Senate lawmakers to…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Want Shapiro to Honor the Deal He Made to Fund Lifeline ScholarshipsEducation
Commonwealth Foundation Fellow Guy Ciarrocchi on the Dawn Stensland Show July 18, 2023
Topics on this pageDawn Stensland-MendteGuy Ciarrocchi…
Media Hit
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Fellow Guy Ciarrocchi on the Dawn Stensland Show July 18, 2023Education
Shapiro, lawmakers must choose — students or special interests?
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review In education policy, there are two main groups of stakeholders: parents and special interests. Parents want the best opportunities for their children, while…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro, lawmakers must choose — students or special interests?State Budget
School Choice Report, Episode 9
What’s happening in Pennsylvania’s capitol? Why did Governor Shapiro renege on his handshake deal and outward support of Lifeline Scholarships? What should we expect in the days, weeks, and months…
Podcast
Read More: School Choice Report, Episode 9Education
Shapiro can turn his political blunder into a moral good and transform the Democratic Party
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer What an embarrassment. In the span of 24 hours, Gov. Josh Shapiro went from savvy political strategist to inept novice and sellout; upended…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro can turn his political blunder into a moral good and transform the Democratic PartyEducation
Shapiro Lost His Way. But He Can Still Rescue Himself and the Kids Depending on Him.
Originally published at the Delaware Valley Journal Sealing a deal with an old-fashioned handshake may seem like a throwback to a bygone era. After all, does anybody still rely…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro Lost His Way. But He Can Still Rescue Himself and the Kids Depending on Him.Education
Commonwealth Foundation Fellow Guy Ciarrocchi on the Dawn Stensland Show July 11, 2023
Topics on this pageDawn Stensland-MendteGuy Ciarrocchi…
Media Hit
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Fellow Guy Ciarrocchi on the Dawn Stensland Show July 11, 2023