Category Archives: ICSC

International Catholic Stewardship Council – Conference

REFLECTION

ICSC, Prayer

Jesus tells his followers that they are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16) and that they are unable to be hidden. No one puts a lamp under a bushel basket because the purpose of a lamp is to help people see in dark places. Jesus Christ’s followers shine the light of the Lord on those around them by the words they speak and the actions they take. This is one of the great gospel images of discipleship: the light of discipleship in Christ shining for all the world to see.

Light cannot be anything other than what it is. It’s bright; it dispels darkness; it enables people to see what they are doing. God is light, and since He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside believers, so are we. As his ambassadors on earth, we shine even when we don’t know it. We reflect God’s very presence in the world. It is not enough for us to know about God. As disciples, we have to be the activity of God in the world.

The bushel basket Jesus refers to in the gospel is big enough to cover a lamp. But Jesus’ teaching suggests that lights don’t magically end up underneath bushel baskets. The only way for our light to be covered is if we put a basket over it. He describes a light not snuffed out but covered up. The light is not extinguished. It is rendered useless. But what baskets prevent our light from shining? What are they in reality? Maybe the basket is anger, envy, selfishness or an insecurity of some kind. Maybe it is shame. These kinds of baskets and others block out God’s light trying to shine through us. Good stewards of the light who follow Jesus do not give their time, energy, and resources to the bushel baskets that cover the light.

Jesus encourages us to let our light shine before others, calling us to live an active life of faith, not a passive one. We have many grace-filled opportunities to shine our light brightly for the Lord and to share the Good News with all those with whom we come in contact. Our light reveals to those among our family, friends, neighbors and community what we believe by how we live our lives. You are the light of the world. Be a good steward of your light. Let your light shine before others so that they, too, may see the glory of God.

Bronze Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

Church Development 

15 E 55th Terr
Kansas City, MO 64113
816.560.3641
www.church-development.com

Church Development, a Catholic firm, has helped over 200 parishes through feasibility studies and capital campaigns. The firm’s stewardship focus is based on 1 Peter 4:10, and is backed up with the most rigorous statistical research on “how to increase generosity” in the industry. Thousands of parish stewardship efforts have used their free, on-line,
Stewardship System. The pledge appeal is based in prayer not pressure, and as a result annual giving increases and planned gifts have robust growth. Comprehensive service takes the load off of parish staff and volunteers. A high level of financial success results in many repeat clients. Their ICSC conference presentation, “How to increase regular giving
during a capital campaign” was so successful that it was made into a webinar.
Annual Appeals, Capital Campaigns, Development, Endowment Campaigns, Feasibility Studies, Fundraising, Planned Giving, Stewardship

Thursday | September 24

ICSC Schedule 2020

Opening Prayer and Welcome

10:00 am – 10:15 am

The Focus on Planned Giving During COVID

10:15 am – 11:15 am

Speakers:
Josephine Everly
Associate Vice President
University Advancement
The Catholic University of America

Jim Kelley
Director of Development
Diocese of Charlotte

Break

11:15 am – 11:30 am

Unprecedented Times – Inspired Communication

11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Speaker:
Angela Moloney, CAP
President & CEO
Catholic Foundation of Michigan

Lunch Break

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Is Your Foundation Built on Christ? A Spirituality of Diocesan and Foundation Fundraising

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Foundations carry great authority in (arch)dioceses by helping build gratitude and generosity for the faithful while bringing the mission of the Church alive through philanthropy. With some foundations removed from the daily life and the spiritual guidance of their diocese, it can be a challenge to keep focused on our deepest mission of strengthening the body of Christ while serving the mission of our foundations. What is a Catholic foundation’s role in building the spiritual life of the community? Jump into the conversation as we look back at our fundraising roots from the great fundraiser St. Paul and talk through how this impacts our role today as development professionals. Come learn together how our spiritual calling can inform our foundations to help lead the Church with vision and hope.

Speaker:
Cory J. Howat, M.A.
Executive Director
Catholic Community Foundation
Archdiocese of New Orleans

Break

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm

Building Effective Catholic Foundation Partnerships

3:15 pm – 4:15 pm

Does your foundation struggle to create and maintain effective partnerships with parishes,
schools, and other organizations? What groups are you missing that should be your key
allies? Join us to find out creative ways to add value to your constituents and actually have
them wanting to partner with your Catholic foundation!

Speakers:
Maggie F. Keenan, Ed.D.
Director of Planned Giving
Catholic Community Foundation
Diocese of Richmond

Scott Hartman
Vice President of Development
The Catholic Foundation, Columbus

 

Bronze Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

Cathedral Corporation

632 Ellsworth Road
Rome, NY 13441
800.698.0299
www.cathedralstewardship.com  

Cathedral Corporation has shared the values and mission of faith-based organizations like yours since 1916. We pride ourselves not only on the quality of our products, but also the quality of our relationships. We specialize in custom-tailored solutions that reach, motivate, and engage each unique Catholic community in responding generously to God’s call for stewardship. Cathedral provides communication and fundraising needs, including offertory envelope solutions, enhanced giving programs, capital campaigns and diocesan annual appeals.

Annual Appeals, Capital Campaigns, Data Management, eGiving, Fundraising,
Offertory Programs, Stewardship

Gold Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

CCS

527 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212.695.1175
ccsfundraising.com

Since 1947, CCS has served as the fundraising counsel of choice to Catholic institutions in the U.S. and around the world. Today, CCS is a leader in designing innovative campaigns and fundraising initiatives, based firmly on Catholic stewardship principles, to advance the church’s pastoral, charitable and educational mission. They pride themselves on
a customized service model with fees tailored to meet the specific needs of their partners. Services include capital and endowment campaign planning, management, and direction; annual appeals; stewardship initiatives; feasibility and planning studies; donor engagement; prospect research and screening; development assessments; custom learning and executive consultation and coaching.

Annual Appeals; Capital and Endowment Campaign Planning, Management, and Direction;
Development Assessments; Feasibility and Planning Studies; Increased Giving Programs;
Prospects Research and Screening Stewardship Initiatives

Silver Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

Generis, Inc.

6455 E Johns Crossing, Ste 275
Johns Creek, GA 30097
800.233.0561
www.generis.com

For the past 30 years, Generis has helped more than 15,000 parishes, churches and faith-based organizations close the gap that exists between their resources and their God-inspired vision. By merging Biblical principles, best practices and your unique ministry DNA, we collaborate with you to create an individually-tailored, long-lasting strategy to fund mission, maximize ministry effectiveness, and create a culture of generosity that inspires people to become passionate givers.

Capital Campaigns, Debt Elimination, Facility Renovation,
Offertory Campaign Promotions, Planned Giving

Session 60 | 10:00 am | Using Technology to Advance Your Appeal or Campaign

ICSC Tue AM 19

Session 60
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Michigan
Using Technology to Advance Your Appeal or Campaign

Speaker: Bridget Daly
Vice President of Business Development
GiveCentral
Chicago, Illinois

Moderator: Ana Juarez
Administrator
St. Alfred Catholic Church
Taylor, Michigan

Technological advancement has allowed for more strategic work in your development office. Is your campaign or appeal taking advantage of these easy ways of increasing overall solicitation and fulfillment? This session will show you how you can use technology to more easily advance your appeal or campaign.

Mr. Bridget Daly

Bridget Daly (Mayer) has been with GiveCentral for over six years as the vice president of business development. She works with parishes, schools, and dioceses across the country to help with their fundraising efforts, including pledge fulfillment, best practices and innovative fundraising technology.

Session 59 | 10:00 am | An Introduction to Do-It-Yourself or Peer-to-Peer Fundraising!

ICSC Tue AM 19

Session 59
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Sheraton Ballroom II
An Introduction to Do-It-Yourself or Peer-to-Peer Fundraising!

Speaker: John Linton
Vice President of Sales and Operations, K-12 Vertical
Blackbaud
Bedford, New Hampshire

Moderator: Debbie Benz
Associate Director
Office of Development and Stewardship
Diocese of Peoria, Illinois

Donor behavior is undergoing a radical shift. What families want from the schools they support is changing. Only Catholic schools prepared to respond to this shift will be able to maximize new opportunities to grow their support. Peer-to-Peer fundraising techniques and tools equip you to allow your alumni, parents, and other key groups to give and advance your cause the way they want. Come learn the key concepts, how to get started, and see some great existing examples of other Catholic schools.

Mr. John Linton

John Linton is the vice president of operations for Blackbaud’s K-12 Group. During his three-year tenure as vice president, he has overseen sales, customer support, and professional services for Blackbaud. Before this role, he was a consultant and software trainer implementing K-12 schools on software solutions around the United States and internationally. He also serves on the board of a local nonprofit, Hampshire United..

Session 61 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Leading with Courage: How to steward your gifts without holding them hostage

ICSC Tue PM 19

Session 61
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Chicago Ballroom X
Leading with Courage: How to steward your gifts without holding them hostage

Speaker: Jonathan Baca
Annual Appeal Coordinator
Diocese of Dallas, Texas

Moderator: Coni Perez
ICSC Conference Team
Houston, Texas

Do you consider yourself a leader? Whether or not you are entrusted with running a parish, heading a large corporation, or raising a family, the Lord asks of you to be a leader, even when you’re not “in charge.” Find out why your view of leadership might be preventing the Lord from working in your ministry.

Mr. Jonathan Baca

Jonathan Baca is the coordinator for the annual appeal for the Diocese of Dallas, which generates more than $7 million annually. Prior to working for the diocese, he taught high school theology for four years and then went on to work in international corporate travel for three years. A native Californian, he holds bachelor degrees in theology and marketing from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a master’s degree in theology from the University of Dallas.

Session 48 | 8:30 am | Setting Endowment Goals to Generate Major Gifts

ICSC Tue AM 19

Session 48
8:30 am – 9:30 am

Huron
Setting Endowment Goals to Generate Major Gifts

Speaker: Donna Marino
Senior Vice President
Greater Mission, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona

Speaker: Thomas Sonni
President and Managing Partner
Greater Mission, LLC
Baltimore, Maryland

Moderator: Rick Jeric
Executive Director
Women’s Care Center
Columbus, Ohio

This session will focus on setting long term endowment goals and launching new campaign-style efforts to secure major, planned and blended gifts. Hear new ideas and discuss best practices in this highly interactive session.

Ms. Donna J. Marino

Donna Marino has 35 years of development experience including over 20 years serving the Catholic Church. She is a native of Connecticut and served in senior management positions with two religious orders, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in New York and the Sisters of Mercy in Connecticut. Her diocesan and parish experience includes serving as the executive director of development for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, where, as a member of the bishop’s senior leadership team she managed the annual bishop’s appeal, a comprehensive major gifts program, and the diocesan foundation. In 2007, she relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where she served as the president and CEO of the Catholic Community Foundation for the Diocese of Phoenix. She joined Greater Mission as a senior vice president in 2016. Ms. Marino is a graduate of Boston University and Harvard Business School’s executive leadership program, Strategic Perspectives in Non- Profit Management. She resides in Scottsdale, Arizona and is a parishioner at Our Lady of Joy Parish in Carefree, Arizona.

Mr. Thomas Sonni

Tom Sonni founded Greater Mission in 2006. He brings more than 25 years of experience designing stewardship models and managing capital campaigns along with years of experience in strategic planning, annual appeals, major gifts, and legacy giving. He has guided efforts that have raised over $400 million. His service has strengthened the Arch/Dioceses of Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Lansing, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Providence, Richmond, St. Petersburg, and Venice, among others. He led the creative design of With All Your Heart, a mission advancement model that integrates spiritual formation and lifting parish communities to new levels of generosity that sustain and expand mission and ministry. Before founding Greater Mission, he served as the executive leader of diocesan-wide development and stewardship programming in the Diocese of Harrisburg and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He also served on the ICSC board of directors.