Recent Memo to our Clients

Thoughts on the Economy and your Appeal

 We are recommending that all clients move forward with their campaigns or offertory appeals as planned.

 While the state of the economy and the stock market and the bailout package are uncertain, there is no assurance that in the coming weeks that the situation will improve, grow worse or even become clearer.

 Panic creates its own momentum and stopping all fundraising sends a signal that the situation is terrible and thus leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy as people respond to that signal.

 All offertory enhancement appeals derive success from hundreds of families making personal and individual decisions to make moderate increases in their weekly/monthly giving. While a weakened or uncertain economy makes this decision more difficult, a $5, $10, $20 or even a $50 per week increase in giving is not as significant a commitment as a multi -year, multi-thousand dollar commitment for large purchases such as homes and automobiles.

 Families are asked to do the best they can. The church certainly understands that circumstances may change requiring an adjustment to that commitment.

 Keep in mind that the average Catholic family contributes just over one percent of his/her income to the church; so there is, for most parishioners, some room to adjust their giving without undue stress to their household budgets.

 Be forthright in all pulpit talks. We strongly urge you to acknowledge that you understand the market and the economy are in a period of uncertainty and that you also understand the rising price of fuel and health care is hurting many families. Mention that you would not be conducting the appeal if the parish needs were not significant.

 Encourage families that “CAN” to increase and those that cannot to just respond by saying they are doing as much as they can considering present economic pressures. There are enough families in your parish that “CAN” make a modest
increase in giving without undue financial hardship to make your appeal a success.

 Mention that the appeal is not designed to pressure or judge people who are unable or who simply are uncomfortable increasing at the present time. The appeal is designed to help the parish; to keep the parish on a solid financial footing. It is not meant to make the lives of the people it serves more difficult.

 We urge you not to apologize for asking. Appeals do not succeed when the organization makes an awkward apology for asking. Your parish made the decision to move forward with an offertory appeal because you analyzed your present finances and concluded that to be a good Steward of your parish increased funding was essential.

 Apologizing about the need to fund the mission of your church, even in difficult times, is not required and will only hurt your appeal without providing much comfort or understanding to the donors who may be struggling financially.

 It is important to note that in troubled economic times, the demand for pastoral resources increases. Ministries that distribute food and goods will need greater resources not fewer and increased budgetary flexibility will enable the parish to expand its counseling and support structure.

 There is a tendency in these times to wait for the “ideal” moment or time to proceed. Identifying such a time is an illusory thought. No one can accurately predict what economies or markets will do. Prudent stewardship is the answer at all times and in all economic markets. Most of the churches and schools we attended growing up were built by people with far fewer resources in considerably more desperate economic times.

 Please call your local director if you have any additional questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to call me directly at 800-842-4488 if I can be of further assistance.