Parishes, schools, Catholic nonprofits and the faithful rallied for the seventh consecutive year to support #weGiveCatholic, Northeast Ohio’s Catholic day of giving, which took place on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29.
The event raised $3.18 million from 10,861 donors to assist 230 participating organizations. This was the third consecutive year the total for the 24-hour event exceeded $3 million, according to officials of the Catholic Community Foundation, which organizes #weGiveCatholic.
“Thank you to the faithful of this diocese who came together on Nov. 29 with a great spirit of generosity and deep compassion for the charitable, educational and spiritual mission of their organizations,” said Bishop Edward Malesic. “I am deeply grateful for the support that contributed to the success of this year’s #weGiveCatholic effort. May God bless everyone for their willingness to help our great Catholic organizations serving the Northeast Ohio community in many ways.”
Of the 230 participating organizations, 15 raised more than $50,000, with four exceeding $100,000. Assumption Church and St. Albert the Great at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights topped the leaderboard among all participants by raising $341,239.
Throughout the day, many organizations, ministries, and schools took to social media to raise awareness, encourage participation, report on progress in reaching their fundraising goals and share video messages that spoke to the importance of their ministries. There also was excitement at Cathedral Square Plaza, diocesan headquarters, when the Cleveland Guardians’ hot dogs – Ketchup, Mustard and Onion – stopped by to visit and run a quick race. The visit delighted diocesan employees and a group of students from St. Thomas More School in Brooklyn who were on hand as part of the WGC festivities.
“Yesterday was a great celebration of our Catholic faith and Catholic philanthropy, as the people of the Diocese of Cleveland came together with gratitude, generosity and trust for the Catholic organizations that inspire their faith,” said Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation. “Many thanks to each of the 10,861 donors and the countless volunteers, pastoral leaders and staff of nonprofits, ministries, schools, Catholic Charities and parishes -- all of whom spent many hours raising 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 $61,500 prize pool raised in advance by the foundation and donors who support this initiative. In addition, two matching gifts were presented by the Catholic Community Foundation: a $20,000 match sponsored by Boyd Watterson and a $100,000 diocesan tuition assistance match. Donations fully matched both during specific times throughout the day. The 2022 #weGiveCatholic sponsors included:
- An anonymous donor
- Dustin Applegate and Chris Hardesty
- Richard Beckwith
- Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC
- The Heart of Richard Foundation
- Matt and Kelly Keefe
- Phil and Connie Kramer Charitable Fund
- Lamar Advertising
- John and Mary Leonbruno
- Chet Madej
- Mr. and Mrs. James Mason
- Father Louis A. Pizmoht
- Karen and Andy Rebholz
- Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland
- Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union
Among the top fund raisers in the large parish category were St. Francis Xavier, Medina and St. Mary, Hudson. In the large school category, top fund-raisers included Gilmour Academy and St. Hilary, Fairlawn.
St. Thomas More, Brooklyn and Church of the Resurrection, Solon, were among the largest fund raisers in the medium parish category and St. Rita, Solon and St. Francis Xavier, Medina were among the highest fund raisers for the medium school category.
Among small parishes, St. Malachi, Cleveland and St. James, Lakewood raised the most money while Assumption Church and St. Albert the Great at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights and St. Brendan Parish and School in North Olmsted led the way among small school participants.
Top-grossing Catholic Charities ministries included CYO, Camp Christopher and Disabilities Services and Ministries while Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and Joseph and Mary’s Home were among the biggest fund-raisers among participating nonprofits.
Planning will begin soon for the 2023 #weGiveCatholic event, scheduled for Nov. 28, 2023.
Click here for complete results of the 2022 #weGiveCatholic event.