Special to the Progress
Jacksonville Daily Progress
JACKSONVILLE —
Catholic Extension recently announced that it has awarded $979,221 in grants to help 59 dioceses and their parishes in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Islands become more self-sustaining by supporting communication and fundraising initiatives, as well as financial and facility management programs.
The Tyler diocese is included in those who benefit from these funds.
The 106-year-old national organization is helping parish and diocesan leaders improve their ability to meet their churches’ fiscal and operational needs from within, creating opportunities for these organizations to forge ahead during the current economic downturn.
The grants focus on three main areas: 1) diocesan and parish fundraising, which received nearly $600,000 of the total; 2) diocesan and parish financial and facility management, which received approximately $270,000 and 3) diocesan planning and operational efficiency projects, which received $110,000.
“Dioceses and parishes are better able to accomplish their missions when their leaders soundly manage assets, plan for the future, communicate well and raise money,” said Joseph Boland, Senior Grants Director for Catholic Extension. “We have been gratified to witness many dioceses become stronger this year because they have accepted our offer for and made the most of Catholic Extension grants specifically developed to ensure ongoing sustainability during challenging times.”
Examples of the myriad grants awarded include:
• Diocesan and parish fundraising
- A $100,000 three-year grant to the Diocese of Tyler in Texas to support implementing a multi-year discipleship/stewardship program designed to increase the diocese’s fundraising capabilities
- A $55,000 three-year grant to the Diocese of Jefferson City in Missouri to support “Sustaining Diocesan Ministries into the Future,” an initiative to establish major gift programs, as well as planned giving programs to sustain the most critical ministries in the diocese
• Diocesan and parish financial and facility management
• Diocesan planning and operational efficiency projects
If you are interested in learning more about the needs for funding, please contact the Development Office of Catholic Extension at catholicextension.org or 800-842-7804.
These grants are among the more than 1000 that Catholic Extension will fulfill in poor and isolated communities across the U.S. and its territories. Last year alone, the organization invested $14 million in America’s 86 “mission dioceses,” geographic regions of the U.S. where the Catholic Church is growing and needs are great. Catholic Extension was able to do so through contributions from 47,000 individual donors who share its commitment to strengthen communities and sustain the Catholic faith throughout the country.
About Catholic Church Extension Society
Since 1905, the Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society has been empowering Catholic communities by providing them funds to establish themselves; become self-sustaining; provide religious education and outreach ministries; build and renovate church buildings; and train the next generation of lay, religious and ordained Catholic leaders. Catholic Extension has distributed nearly $500 million to communities across America throughout its history.
