Funds For Learning returned to the C3 Conference this year with a different purpose. Rather than presenting on E-rate timelines or fielding funding questions, we set up a table and spent two days simply being present with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. What we took away had less to do with E-rate than with the people behind it.
The conference is one piece of C3, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ broader initiative for technology throughout its schools and ministries, from classroom innovation to E-rate infrastructure. Held August 4-5 at Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Montebello, California, it drew roughly 700 attendees and more than 120 sessions across two days. This year’s event, themed “Rooted,” leaned heavily into topics like artificial intelligence, innovation, and leadership strategy, giving educators, administrators, and ministry leaders practical tools they could bring back to their communities right away. The sheer number of sessions was a testament to how thoroughly the Archdiocese has embraced technology and innovation across every part of its organization, not just in the classroom.
The “Rooted” theme itself came through in a memorable way during the conference’s keynote, which walked through major technological shifts throughout history, and the Church’s response to each, before arriving at AI. One story stuck with us: the indoor trees at Arizona’s Biosphere 2 in the 1990s grew tall quickly in a sheltered environment, only to topple over because they’d never had wind to push against and build stronger roots. It was a fitting way to frame a conference about staying grounded while everything around you changes.
A Familiar Name, With Faces We Hadn’t Met
We’ve known the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for years, but a conference like this is a reminder of just how large and layered an organization it really is. Over two days, we met dozens of people from across the archdiocese we hadn’t crossed paths with before, many of them from parishes rather than schools, working in roles that don’t typically intersect with E-rate at all.
That was one of the most valuable parts of the trip. While we couldn’t always help directly with E-rate questions from parish staff, we were glad to point them toward other resources and avenues worth exploring. More than that, the conversations gave us a much clearer picture of everything happening across the archdiocese beyond the school buildings we typically work with, and just how much dedicated work goes into supporting that mission every day.
Showing Up for Visibility, Leaving with Perspective
Our goal for this trip was straightforward: stay visible, build relationships, and make sure people across the organization, including school principals who may not interact with our team regularly, know who we are and what we do. We accomplished that. We had a steady stream of visitors to our table over both days, and the people we spoke with were consistently warm and appreciative that we’d made the trip.
What we didn’t expect was how much the experience would shift our own perspective. Spending two days alongside Archdiocese staff, watching the scale of what they coordinate and how many people they support, left us with a deeper appreciation for the organization and the work they do. It’s easy to see an organization from the outside as a set of schools and funding applications. It’s another thing entirely to spend two days in the room with the people making it all run.
Why It Matters
Conferences like C3 aren’t about closing deals or driving numbers. They’re about staying connected to the people and communities we serve. This year’s trip reaffirmed something we already believed: the relationships behind E-rate consulting matter just as much as the compliance work itself. We’re grateful to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the invitation, and we’re already looking forward to next year.
You don’t have to wait for the next conference to connect with us. Request a consultation with a Funds For Learning Guide.
About the Author: Eric Jester is an E-rate Guide at Funds For Learning. He joined 16 years ago, drawn by a long-held belief in the importance of education and a desire to put his analytical skills to work in communities that benefit from them. Eric leads and develops Guides on one of the Guide Teams, building the processes, alignment, and capacity that let Funds For Learning support clients well. Outside of work, you’ll find him with his wife and daughter (living the cheer dad life), traveling when he can, and playing guitar when time allows.
