Faithful from across the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland rallied on Nov. 30, Giving Tuesday, to raise a total of $3,194,704 in the sixth annual #weGiveCatholic 24-hour online day of giving.
According to the Catholic Community Foundation which coordinates the event, 210 organizations, including Catholic schools, parishes and Catholic nonprofits, participated this year. Twenty participants raised more than $30,000 and six raised more than $100,000. Assumption Church and St. Albert the Great at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights topped all participants for the third straight year by raising $333,000.
“#weGiveCatholic exemplifies the extraordinary generosity of the faithful in this diocese. On Nov. 30, our community showed a tremendous heart and deep compassion for the charitable, educational and spiritual mission of their organizations,” said Bishop Edward Malesic. “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, many organizations, ministries and schools took to social media to encourage participation, report on progress in reaching their fundraising goals, and share video messages that spoke to the importance of their ministries.
“The celebration of our Catholic faith and its philanthropic spirit was alive and well in our diocese on Nov. 30, as the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland came together with 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 10,696 donors and the countless volunteers, pastoral leaders and staff of nonprofits, ministries, schools, Catholic Charities 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 benefactors and the gifts they have shared with Northeast Ohio,” Grace added.
Throughout the day, participating organizations engaged in a friendly competition to gain the most supporters and win awards from a $62,500 prize pool raised in advance by the Catholic Community Foundation and generous donors who support this initiative. In addition, two matching gifts were presented by the foundation: a $15,000 match sponsored by Boyd Watterson and an $80,000 diocesan tuition assistance match. Both were fully matched by donations during specific times throughout the day.
The 2021 #weGiveCatholic sponsors included:
• Richard Beckwith
• Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gatto
• Phil and Connie Kramer Charitable Fund
• Lamar Advertising
• Chet Madej
• Edward Matuszak
• Dr. and Mrs. Charles Peter
• Rev. Louis A. Pizmoht
• The Rebholz Family Foundation
• Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland
• Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union
The fun-filled day included three livestreamed segments featuring hosts Miguel Chavez, Office of Missionary Discipleship; Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization; Mike Hayes, Young Adult Ministry; Dene Hummon, Office of Education; Brooke Uehlein, Diocesan Communications Office. The sessions included prayer, entertainment, live and taped interviews, livestreamed noon Mass offered in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for donors and a special Advent reflection. There also were prize announcements and short videos presented throughout the day.
“Thank you again to each of you for once again making this year’s #weGiveCatholic an amazing success,” Grace said.
He invited everyone to save the date – Nov. 29, 2022 – for next year’s #weGiveCatholic.
Click here for more information on the event, including participants, prizes awarded and the amounts each participating organization raised.