Le Moyne College's Hero of the Week: Clete Gualtieri

Congratulations to Clete and our gratitude for all that he does for our students!! http://lemoyne.edu/LeMoyne101/MeetSomeDolphins/DolphinStories/tabid/1997/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/190/categoryId/68/This-Weeks-Education-Hero-Clete-Gualtieri-Jamesville-DeWitt-High-School.aspx

Focus on Major Gifts: The 21st Century Approach to Fundraising

Catholic nonprofit organizations find themselves at a pivotal time in their history. With a weakened and forever-changed national economy, changing demographics, fluctuating endowments, and reduced government support, the entire nonprofit industry is challenged like few other times in our country's history. This is especially true for Catholic ministries. This is the view of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, a leading source of ground-breaking research and knowledge about the nonprofit sector, social investing, and the tools of government (JohnsHopkins, 2013). Even what was once considered sacrosanct, the IRS philanthropic tax benefit for wealthy donors, is now up for discussion as part of the federal budget debate (Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2013). All of this means that the philanthropic landscape in the 21st century is dramatically different than the previous century. More specifically, higher education, an important subset of the nonprofit industry, is a good example of this challenge (Barone, 2010). Everyone agrees that almost all of the more than 3,500 colleges and universities in the United States must become more financially resourceful and entrepreneurial. Why? Traditional state and federal government funding resources are drying up, even as the cost to remain a technologically sophisticated educational organization is rapidly increasing (Altbach, Berdahl, Gumport, 2005). Thus, the reliance on fundraising to produce necessary resources for institutions of higher education is greater than ever (2005). Analysis by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University confirms that this scenario is true not only for higher education, but also applicable for the majority of nonprofit organizations (Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University). For charitable organizations this means committing financial resources, research and, of course, professional staff constantly prospecting for financial gifts to support seemingly endless capital campaigns (DiMento, 2011). Finding these philanthropic dollars is essential if the organization is to meet the financial challenges inherent in sustaining the many honorable missions carried out by our country's nonprofit organizations. As a result of this need for increased philanthropic support, the field of fundraising and development has grown exponentially over the past thirty years. Caroline Preston, a respected philanthropy blogger, reports these findings from her research on the hiring of fundraising staff and investment into development offices made by educational institutions. Preston reports that almost all of the United States’ 3,500 colleges and universities now have active fundraising or advancement efforts on their campuses. Ten years ago, it was less than half of that number (Preston, 2010). But, specifically, why do nonprofit organizations and educational institutions concentrate so much on major gifts as an integral within a comprehensive fundraising program? Why not government or foundations? Or even corporations? The answer is clear. Stay tuned for my next blog post. Until then, check your organization’s fundraising efforts. Are you focused enough on major gifts?

YouTube as a Stewardship Activity

Le Moyne College allows it's students to create a "thank you" youtube piece that goes out to their donors. The College has experienced outstanding philanthropic support over the last 5 years- over $65mil- and efforts like this will only keep their success going! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UAemvt2IYk

Catholic Donors: What Motivates Major Gifts?

The Catholic Philanthropic Donor: Qualitative Attributes of Those That Give Major Gifts. Many Catholic fundraising professionals, facing budget pressures in these difficult economic times, are often puzzled why tried and true systems of donor identification no longer work. Why does one wealthy Catholic donor give, when another wealthy Catholic does not? Why are some Catholic non-profits successful in obtaining million dollar type gifts, when other organizations are not? Through a series of one on one interviews with some of Church’s most affluent citizens I will provide insights on the qualitative variables that will help the philanthropic community better understand major donor behavior during tough economic times. Keep track of this blog site over the next couple of months and read these stories!

It's not everyday that a video about wealth inequality goes viral on the internet. But this myth-shattering video is spreading across the social web, using powerful infographics to make the case that not only is wealth distributed unevenly, but that it is much, much worse than we think. You can find the video on this website. http://neweconomy.net/ My philanthropic research is focused on the motivations of high net worth (the wealthy) to share their wealth with those in the bottom 20%. What motivates wealthy donors to give major gifts? We need to keep asking this question as wealthy will hold the key to funding the non-profit world. Not government; not middle class families; but the top 1% that hold nearly 50% of the country's wealth.

Bishop Sullivan from New York- Keep him in Your Prayers

Obituary: Bishop Joseph Sullivan, N.Y. Catholic Charities Head Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, who gained national recognition as an advocate for the poor while spearheading charity work in one of the country’s biggest Roman Catholic dioceses, died Friday from injuries he sustained in a car accident the previous week, The New York Times writes. He was 83. Bishop Sullivan became executive director of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens in 1968. During his tenure it grew into America’s largest Roman Catholic human-services agency, and in retirement he continued to serve on the boards of Catholic hospitals and other organizations. Upon being named an auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn by Pope John Paul II in 1980, Bishop Sullivan characterized his mission as assisting “the hurting people of society.” Later in that decade he testified before Congress about the ravages of AIDS, drugs, and crime in communities he served.

Year End Giving Idea: Support Cardinal Dolan and St. Patrick's Cathedral

Need a year end giving opportunity? How about supporting Cardinal Dolan and his team preserve a New York Landmark? Their planis for the full restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral that includes work on the exterior and interior of the Cathedral, as well as its stained glass windows. This work is not cosmetic, but a necessary repair that will ensure that the Cathedral endures for future generations. Missing and loose mortar must be replaced to avoid further damage. The interior needs to be cleaned extensively. It also includes restorative work on the entire Cathedral campus, as well as the completion of a new garden, a public greenspace that will serve as a tranquil place for reflection and meditation at St. Patrick’s. The total cost for this full restoration is approximately $175 million. This is an enormous challenge particularly in light of the ever-increasing needs of our New York community. We are committed to restoring and preserving this magnificent treasure, one that serves to inspire us all, no matter our faith. We have secured the funds necessary to complete the first phase of work, which will ensure the restoration of the exterior of the Cathedral from the Fifth Avenue entrance through the transept. Broken storm glazing panels need to be repaired. Stained glass windows will be restored. Over the next three years, they will be leading an extraordinary effort to raise approximately $50 million to complete the restoration of the Cathedral building. Upon its completion, there will be remaining work on the Cathedral Campus. However, at this juncture, the Cardinal's priority is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Consider supporting the restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as you think about year end gifting. Join Cardinal Dolan. Become a Cathedral builder. How to Be a Cathedral Builder? If you would like to learn more about our efforts on behalf of St. Patrick’s, please contact: Helen Lowe Campaign Director (646) 794-3358 restore@saintpatrickscathedral.org