Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, led by Bishop David Zubik, has reached another major milestone.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh’s historic capital and endowment campaign recently surpassed the $100 million mark, thanks to multi-year commitments made by individuals and families in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties.
Campaigns have concluded in 51 parishes and are underway in another 59 of the 200 parishes in our diocese. The remaining parishes are preparing for their campaigns next year.
The initiative, with a goal of $125 million, will help address the urgent needs in the life of our church—to sustain and strengthen parishes, invigorate evangelization, revitalize sacramental life, support education and formation in the faith, train pastoral and lay leaders, and serve the poor and marginalized.
The clergy have been especially supportive, with sacrificial pledges of $3.1 million on a target of $500,000. Across our diocese, more than 14,000 donors have made commitments to date.
Our Campaign for The Church Alive! is focused on the parishes. For every dollar raised, 40 cents stays in the parish to fund its locally determined priorities. The remaining 60 percent will support ministries and programs benefiting the entire Church of Pittsburgh.
When a parish exceeds its target it receives 60 cents of every dollar raised over the target, and 40 percent is invested across the diocese. Taking into account the direct and indirect benefits of the campaign, nearly 70 percent of all funds will positively impact parishes.
All funds are being overseen and allocated by an independent non-profit charitable corporation to ensure that donations are spent according to the cases for support developed by our diocese and each parish.
The diocesan-wide ministries and programs receiving support include need-based tuition grants for Catholic schools, parish religious education, seminarian formation, support for retired and senior priests, evangelization, communications, Catholic Charities, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, and technology for secondary schools.
