233 organizations participated; 11,564 donors provided charitable gifts
Cleveland, Ohio – December 2, 2020 – For the fifth consecutive year, the Diocese of Cleveland rallied together in support of #weGiveCatholic, Northeast Ohio’s online day of Catholic giving on Giving Tuesday. During the event, $3,150,123 million was raised for participating Catholic organizations that serve people of all faiths, races and backgrounds throughout Northeast Ohio. This is a $1.3 million increase over last year’s campaign.
“Amidst a pandemic and Tuesday’s snowstorm, the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland came together with a spirit of gratitude, generosity, and trust for the Catholic organizations that warm and nurture their souls,” said Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation. “Many thanks to each of the 11,564 donors and the countless volunteers, pastoral leaders and staff of nonprofits, ministries, schools, Catholic Charitie, and parishes -- all of whom spent many hours to raise awareness and funds that culminated in this remarkable day. We feel immense gratitude for our Catholic community and the gifts they have shared with Northeast Ohio,” says Grace.
Of the 233 organizations participating in #weGiveCatholic, over 30 participants raised over $30,000. Five organizations raised over $100,000. Topping the leaderboard raising $301,500 was St. Albert the Great at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights. Donations came in from around the country, including California, Florida and Colorado.
Throughout the day, many organizations, ministries, and schools took to social media to encourage donors, report on progress in reaching their fundraising goals, and share video messages that spoke to the importance of their ministries.
“Yesterday, our community showed a tremendous heart and a deep compassion for people as the funds raised will be used by many organizations to help others in our community,” said the Most Rev. Edward Malesic, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. “I am deeply grateful to the many people who contributed to the success of this year’s #weGiveCatholic effort, especially the staff of the Catholic Community Foundation, the Diocesan Communications Department, the Office of Catholic Education, the Parish Life Office, and, most of all, the donors. May God bless everyone for their willingness to get involved and help.”
Throughout the day, participating organizations engaged in a “friendly” competition to gain the most supporters and win awards from a $68,000 prize pool raised in advance by the Catholic Community Foundation and generous donors who support this initiative. 2020 #weGiveCatholic sponsors included:
- Boyd Watterson
- Dustin Applegate and Dr. Chris Hardesty
- Deacon Jim and Lori Armstrong
- Richard Beckwith
- Roger Bobowicz
- Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gatto
- Matt and Kelly Keefe
- Phil and Connie Kramer Charitable Fund
- The Kurtz Foundation
- Lamar Advertising
- John Leonbruno
- Chet Madej
- Rev. Louis A. Pizmoht
- The Rebholz Family Foundation
- Gregory Schwartz
- Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland
- Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union
The Catholic Community Foundation and Diocese of Cleveland invite Northeast Ohio to save the date for next year’s #weGiveCatholic: Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021.
“Thank you again to each of you for once again making this year’s #weGiveCatholic an amazing success,” said Grace.
About The Catholic Community Foundation
The Catholic Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching lives by encouraging faithful philanthropy. The Foundation supports the mission of the Diocese of Cleveland to provide for the spiritual, educational, and charitable needs of people throughout Northeast Ohio. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has raised more than $493 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic Education, Priestly Formation, and other ministries in the Diocese of Cleveland.
About the Diocese of Cleveland
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was founded on April 23, 1847. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, it is the twenty-third largest diocese in the United States. The diocese encompasses the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Wayne, and Ashland. There are more than 692,000 Catholics in the diocese, and Catholic Charities-Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the world. There are 185 parishes, 108 Catholic schools, one pastoral center, and one mission office within the diocese. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is located in downtown Cleveland.