More than 220 Catholic entities, including schools, parishes, Catholic Charities sites and programs and Catholic nonprofits registered to participate in the seventh #weGiveCatholic on Nov. 29, Giving Tuesday. The 24-hour online day of giving combines fun and fundraising for participating entities.
Last year, a record-breaking $3.19 million was raised during the event to benefit more than 210 organizations. The final tally showed more than 10,000 donors provided charitable gifts.
“#weGiveCatholic exemplifies the extraordinary generosity of the faithful in this diocese,” said Bishop Edward Malesic. During last year’s event, the bishop said the community “showed a tremendous heart and deep compassion for the charitable, educational and spiritual mission of their organizations.” He encourages the faithful to support the initiative once again this year.
As in the past, many organizations, ministries and schools plan to use social media to encourage participation, to engage donors, report on the progress of their campaign goals and to share video messages about the importance of their ministries. There also will be a livestream during the day to feature impact stories from participating organizations and to announce matching gift opportunities.
#weGiveCatholic is powered by the Catholic Community Foundation, which fostered faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all.
“Each year, the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland come together with a spirit of gratitude, generosity, and trust for the Catholic organizations that make a difference in the community,” said Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation. “We are also grateful for our sponsors who provide matching gifts and prize funds that bring fun and tremendous value to the giving day.”
The prize pool this year is $62,500. The cash prizes are awarded to participants to help meet their campaign goal.
There are also opportunities for donors to have their #weGiveCatholic donations matched. Nearly $200,000 already has been secured by individual participating organizations for matching funds. The foundation will roll out a $100,000 matching gift throughout the day to support tuition assistance for students at the 84 registered Catholic high schools and elementary schools. A $20,000 matching gift sponsored by Boyd Watterson will be available to all participating organizations.
Participating entities in this year’s #weGiveCatholic are hoping to fund a variety of projects, including classroom windows at Corpus Christi Academy to improve security and provide more heating and cooling efficiency. St. Francis of Assisi School set a $20,000 campaign goal to improve playground safety by replacing wood mulch with a rubberized surface. At Incarnate Word Academy, there are plans to renovate part of the sisters’ convent for school use while preserving the legacy of the Incarnate Word Sisters and supporting them through transition.
St. Francis Xavier School set a $60,000 goal to finance campus improvements including window coverings, updated flooring and new round lunch tables.
St. Thomas More Parish is hoping to raise money to update the kitchen at Utopia Hall, a vital parish facility.
Archbishop Hoban High School plans to use its #weGiveCatholic funds for scholarships while Catholic Charities’ Camp Christopher will use what it raises for summer camperships in order to allow more campers to attend.
Regina Health Center, which is celebrating its 30thanniversary, has plans for memory care enrichment and would like to enhance its arboretum with glass doors and murals on the walls.
Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine hopes #weGiveCatholic will help finance some much-needed plumbing work in the convent and Zelie’s Home is looking toward the future with plans to expand to a second location.
St. Malachi Parish on Cleveland’s Near West Side will use what is raised to support its Back Door Ministry program that aids the needy.
The Catholic Community Foundation hopes to build on the momentum of the past six years of Catholic Giving. Since its inception in 2016, #weGiveCatholic has seen an increase in the number of participating organizations, donors, and total amounts raised each year, for a grand total of over $10.4 million raised.
“It seems more important than ever to come together as a community to support and celebrate the Catholic organizations that have shaped our souls with their works of education, formation, worship, and charity,” Bishop Malesic said.
To learn more about #weGiveCatholic and view participant pages, click here. Also, see the Guide to Giving that was included in the November/December issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine.
Click here to view a video about #weGiveCatholic. Follow #weGiveCatholic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.