Why did Bishop Zubik decide to launch Our Campaign for The Church Alive!?
When he was first installed as Bishop of Pittsburgh in 2007, Bishop Zubik asked a sincere question of himself and of every Catholic in our diocese: How excited are we about our faith? While optimistic about the future of our Catholic Church, he believes we have much work to do together to ensure that our Church is Alive and growing in faith. Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, a historic $125 million initiative, will help address the extraordinary needs in the life of our Church by investing extraordinary resources in the future of our parishes and our diocese.
What are some of the top needs in our parishes and across our diocese?
The Campaign is focused on several key priorities: to sustain and strengthen parishes, invigorate evangelization, revitalize sacramental life, support education and formation in the faith, educate more seminarians, care for an increasing number of retired priests, and serve the poor and marginalized. Parishes will receive at least $50 million; Catholic Education, Catechesis, and Formation, $42 million; Evangelization and Stewardship, $25 million; and Catholic Charities and the Missions, $8 million.
Who is being asked to participate in the Campaign?
The Campaign invites sacrificial support from priests, deacons, parishioners, private businesses, corporations and charitable foundations. All members of our Catholic community are invited to participate.
How are funds distributed between Parishes and our Diocese?
The proceeds of parish campaigns are being shared 40 percent for the local parish and 60 percent in support of the wider Church throughout the six counties of our Diocese, as cash payments are received, on pledges up to the parish’s established target. Once the target is reached, 60 percent of the funds stay in the parish, and 40 percent go to ministries and programs across our diocese.
What has been the response to the Campaign so far?
The generosity of spirit has been overwhelming. Not only are parishioners responding with significant financial gifts, pastors describe how the Campaign is helping them get to know their parishioners better, and the faithful are excited about this unique opportunity to serve their sisters and brothers in need.
How is the Campaign different from the diocesan Parish Share program that I give to every year?
Parish Share funds ordinary operating expenses for agencies, pastoral ministries and education programs throughout our Diocese, including Total Catholic Education, bishop’s office and pastoral administration, clergy office, and parish life and lay leadership. Our Campaign for The Church Alive! supports extraordinary projects and programs that cannot be funded through Parish Share.For example, it costs about $35,000 a year to educate one seminarian. Our Diocese bears this cost with some help from Parish Share, private gifts and bequests to the Shepherds’ Care Fund. With the increase in the number of our seminarians, these costs have risen substantially, prompting the need for additional resources.
Is a pledge legally binding?
No. A pledge is a good-faith commitment made under a particular set of circumstances. If those conditions change, donors can adjust their pledge payment schedule or balance accordingly.
What are the expenses associated with the Campaign?
On a $125 million campaign about seven percent will go toward fees and expenses (fundraising counsel, printing, postage, campaign video, etc.). If we are blessed by our people with $150 million our campaign expenses will represent only 5.8 percent of the total. Of that budgeted seven cents per dollar, approximately five cents goes toward raising the funds; two cents for efficiently collecting them over five years. Our Campaign for The Church Alive! costs are well below nationally accepted standards. Charity Navigator states that the most efficient charities spend less than 25 percent on fundraising and administrative fees. The Wise Giving Alliance says a charitable organization should spend no more than 35 percent of related contributions on fundraising.
Will campaign funds be held separate from other accounts?
Yes. All campaign gifts are deposited into and managed by a separate non-profit corporation entitled Our Campaign for The Church Alive! Inc., allocated exclusively for the purposes outlined in the case statement. None of the money raised in the Campaign may be used for causes unrelated to the diocesan and parish case statements.
It certainly sounds like the Campaign supports many critical needs in our parishes and diocese. I’d like to participate. How much should I consider giving?
The Campaign seeks contributions that are equal in sacrifice, not necessarily equal in dollar amount. Pledges of cash, securities, life insurance, real estate or other planned gifts are gratefully accepted. Prospective donors are asked to prayerfully consider a five-year pledge to the Campaign, giving according to how God has blessed their lives. Only you know your finances and what would be a sacrificial gift. We thank and bless you for your support.
