The Archdiocese of Cincinnati!

Archdiocese of Cincinnati
. . . . .leading the way

The Cunneen Company wishes to congratulate Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati, Michael Vanderburgh, Director of Stewardship, Brian Doyle, Associate Director of Stewardship, and members of the Pastor’s Advisory Council for boldly deciding to launch an Archdiocesan-wide Parish Stewardship Initiative in the Fall of 2010.

Beginning in September of 2010, the first of 218 parish stewardship initiatives will commence. The goals of the effort are to deepen parishioner understanding of Stewardship of Treasure. Parishioners will be encouraged to increase their regular giving, to use offertory envelopes, to consider electronic giving, and to be intentional, reflective and prayerful in their support of their parish. All 175,000 families will have access to a three-year subscription of Stewardship in Motion a newsletter which explores all aspects of parish stewardship-Time, Talent, and Treasure.

Leading the way among Catholic Dioceses across the United States, parishes in the Archdiocese will benefit from parish initiatives, which will be funded by the Archdiocese. Each program will be customized to meet specific parish needs, parish timetables, and will reflect the conversation that individual parishes and pastors have already had with their parishioners about Stewardship.

Cunneen welcomes the Archdiocese to its family of clients and applauds its bold leadership. We look forward to our Fall 2010 launch!

Now THIS was a good question.

At a morning meeting with Monsignor Greico of Weston, CT we were discussing the "case for support" for his parish's upcoming offertory enchancement appeal. We covered the usual topics of budget vs. income, rising expenses, a slight dip in offertory due to the recession, the desire to expand ministries.

I thought we were doing pretty well-Monsignor didnt seem quite satisfied. As the discussion continued Monsignor became quiet, leaned back in his chair and seemed to settle into deep reflection. After a few moments he asked me this question:

"John, with all that is going on today, where do my people go to get hope?"

And there you have it...

The Cunneen Company-Good news!

Just a moment or two to celebrate some outstanding news here at The Cunneen Company. Over the past several months we have been in discussions with several dioceses across the country about conducting an offertory enhancement appeal for all their parishes.

I am thrilled to announce that starting this Fall the Catholic Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota will be utilizing our firm to conduct an offertory appeal for all 119 of its parishes.

I am equally thrilled that the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Pasaaic has also placed its trust with Cunneen to conduct an offertory appeal for all 93 of its parishes in the coming months!

Congratulations to all of the Cunneen team members who made this possible. Our sincere thanks to the church leaders in Pasaaic and Fargo their confidence in our firm!

More "big news" to follow in the coming weeks!

Sales! Sales! Sales! SALES!

We are all salespeople! Yes even our parish priests, our business managers our non profit directors-we, in one way or another are always selling something. Selling our vision, selling our passion, selling our product or service, selling our solutions, selling others on our mission-selling, selling, selling!

In order to sell you must believe that you are a salesperson!

Back in August I wrote a blogpost about this: http://cunneen.blogspot.com/2008/08/face-it-you-are-salesperson.html Apparently I was ably assisted in my passion for all things sales by Tom Peters. As a long time follower of Tom's work I can only conclude based on the following video that he was the first to introduce me to the "everyone is a salesperson" school of thought.

Tom's style is not for everyone but his message is usually pretty good. Enjoy if you can.


Tom Peters on Yes! You Are in Sales! from Tom Peters on Vimeo.

Good Advice!

Consider ...
Daily Wisdom for Troubled Times

Get up earlier.
Go to bed later.
Work harder.
Finish what you start.
Learn one new thing.
Renew one contact.
Ask, "How can I help you?" at least once.
Make yourself visible.
Be of good cheer.

Catch a break.
Or not.

Repeat tomorrow.


Courtesy of Tom Peters blog. http://www.tompeters.com/

Things are looking up!

‘Times are tough, but people still give’

Twin Cities United Way posts fundraising record for 2008

The above headline and sub-header were part of a very recent front page article in the Minneapolis StarTribune. The article, in part, discussed all that the United Way has done and continues to do for the community in the areas of ‘hunger, homelessness, financial and health problems, family violence, and children’s success in school.’

Not only are their efforts important and needed for the community but they clearly understand better than some nonprofits, that even when times are tough, when asked, those who can will give. As Randi Yoder from the United Way stated, ‘People understand there are pressing needs in our community-made worse by layoffs, foreclosures, and other economic stresses-and want to make life better for those who need a helping hand.’ Amazingly, in the midst of these very troubled times, their efforts raised an all time record $95,000,000!

While acknowledging the seriously challenging times that all nonprofit charitable organizations face and pointing out that ‘there may be leaner times ahead’, the CEO of United Way specifically noted the importance of all their agencies to both stay focused on their core missions while keeping close tabs on finances. Even cautioning that ‘in this economy, flat may become the new up’. But with that, also noting that this most recent effort once again proved that people will support causes they believe in when asked to do so.

As a Catholic parish fundraiser, this article clearly reaffirmed an axiom we have always known to be true; if you respectfully ask for their support, people will give. But with that said, the flip side of that is equally true; if you don’t ask, they will give to those who do.

While United Way obviously understands the need and importance of asking, we are now frequently seeing Catholic parishes who, despite the same needs, have decided to not ask their parishioners to do anything. Neither asking regular supporters to consider a new level of support or to minimally recommit to their current level of support. Or to ask the majority of parishioners at every parish, those who currently give very little to nothing, to consider some committed level of support. Pastors and Finance Committees at some parishes have essentially shelved the parishes financial needs as an area of emphasis or discussion. Even if it has meant to possibly run in the red or to cut back on the ministries, services, support, and staff, they have traditionally provided. This, even though when asked, most Catholics say their church is their #1 charitable priority.

Why the concern to ask? The two most common explanations I frequently hear from Pastors who have chosen this approach to their finances is that it would either be ‘insensitive to ask now’ or that they are going to ‘wait until things get better.’ Unfortunately, the question with no clear answer for any parish is, when exactly will that better time be? In the meantime, many of their parishioners support United Way and other charitable causes, and will continue to do so, because those organizations do ask.

If you agree that doing nothing is not a good option and may prove very troubling for your parish, we will be happy to meet and discuss your overall needs. Following that we will review your options towards developing a plan that will assure that your parish will, now and always, be able to continue to provide for all who need your help, support, and guidance.


Wayne Miller
Regional Director
The Cunneen Company
866.223.7128

Wayne-Thank you for putting this together-I couldnt agree more! Awesome article and a great message for our clients and those that read this blog. Good stuff.
-John

Creativity! It's fun to see.

Jill Sobule, a musician, was struggling to get a new album produced. Apparently she needed to raise $75,000 to self finance the studio time and production costs. Read the "message from Jill" section and check out the creative way she motivated and memorialized gifts.

Its cool to see neat people finding creative ways to fund their dreams!

http://www.jillsnextrecord.com/

She did in fact raise the $75,000 and the album will be coming out shortly-great stuff!

Now more than ever!

If not now WHEN? When has it been more important for our churches, schools, community based non-profits, social service organizations, and health care organizations, to ask for and to receive money to fulfill their essential missions?

If not now when?

When have we faced more of a challenge to our confidence, to our financial well being, to our sense of what is right, to our belief that we can improve tomorrow by the work we do today?

The Cunneen Company, my firm, works in hundreds of Catholic communities in every corner of the country. We also assist schools, social service organizations and health care agencies, nursing homes and community action groups. In every organization in every part of the country the work of our clients is necessary, it is important, it is essential. It is needed NOW MORE THAN EVER!

If you are using your valuable time to read this blog you do so for one reason-you care about your organization. You care about the people you serve, the faithful that fill your pews, the everyday folks that utilize your services or send their children to your schools.

If you are reading this blog, you, like me,spend time not only worrying about the future but more importantly planning, organizing and taking action to meet that future head on-to accept every challenge and to insure that your organization can fulfill its mission and serve its people.

Leadership, boldness, unwavering belief in the importance of your mission, confidence that your supporters will not let you down (they wont) is needed NOW MORE THAN EVER.

If you are not asking your supporters for gifts, if you are not moving forward with your annual appeal, offertory enhancement program, and essential maintenance projects you are missing an opportunity. An opportunity to experience the great joy of witnessing a community come together, in the most difficult of times, to support the most essential of causes-your organization.

Now More Than Ever!

Tips 1-2-3! For fundraising in 2009

1.) Know your numbers. How many donors regularly support your organization. What is the average gift? Who are the ten largest givers and what do they give? How are your numbers tracking weekly/monthly this year vs. last year?

2.) Focus your case. Now is not the time for pie in the sky type thinking. It is great, important and liberating to dream but your donors are a bit tired and scared at the moment-do the dreaming privately right now. Save the twenty year/twenty million dollar plan for another day. Now is the time to focus your case on your core mission, core needs, and core one, three, six and twelve month goals.

3.) Build relationships. Take your top donors to lunch and share your thoughts, plans and concerns. Host a small dinner, cocktail hour or coffee with your key volunteers, key donors or leadership team to discuss the economy, funding challenges and your goals. Always be reaching out to the people who can and who want to assist you. You will enjoy the fellowship, you will derive comfort from their enthusiasm and maybe even raise a few dollars.

Thank you Father Schrader and Beth Lucia of Cunneen!

To Any Pastoral Leader Pondering a Fiscal Campaign:

This past Spring when our Facilities Committee came up with a 5-year plan for the upkeep and improvement of the twelve buildings on our parish’s three church sites, the cost when linked with our annual diocesan appeal for this year came to $900,000. Wondering what to do at a time of rapidly escalating gasoline prices and other related increases, our Pastoral and Financial Councils decided to contact Cunneen to see what was possible. I was severely skeptical that anything could successfully be done to reach that amount in such a year of economic stress. After all, we had difficulty reaching just our $123,000 diocesan appeal alone in the better-off 2007-08 fiscal year.

All I can say now is that anything is possible for those who believe! Thanks to a special gift by bequest to the campaign in the summer, we went over the $900,000 mark on October 29th, the end of one of the worst Octobers in recent history. Then, two days before Thanksgiving, the pledges alone (apart from the $150,000 bequest itself) reached the $900,000 mark. The people were elated when I announced at our Mass on Thanksgiving morning that we had over $1,050,000 committed to the campaign. I know one thing for sure: I simply could not have done it without Cunneen. I also know that challenging economic times are no hindrance to success if your need is genuine and you convey it convincingly to those who have in their hearts the same mission that your campaign supports. It was Cunneen that helped us to map out a strategy and get the message conveyed in a clear and compelling way. Consider this a strong endorsement of their services!!!

Rev. Robert J. Schrader, Pastor
Peace of Christ Parish
Rochester, NY

My friends...

To members of the Cunneen family of clients:

“One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency” Arnold Glasgow

If you are receiving this newsletter you are a leader; a leader of a parish, finance council, development office, stewardship department or an entire diocese. Leadership in a faith based (Catholic)organization during these extraordinarily complicated times is difficult. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, peers, and colleagues look to you for guidance, instruction, comfort and inspiration. You are expected to have the right answer, to chart the proper course of action, and to assure those around you that everything will be fine.

“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time." Oswald Chambers

Like you, I have this deliberate confidence. I have faith that God will show me the way that He will guide my hand and my actions.

In the coming months we will all be challenged to make difficult decisions about the organizations we lead. Raising money, increasing weekly giving, introducing electronic giving, conducting capital campaigns are not easy things to do when the economy is suffering or when your parishioners are feeling insecure about their jobs, homes and financial security.

However, as leaders we must lead! We must “recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency”. Now more than ever, Catholic parishes must address their regular, electronic, and capital giving. A weak economy does not correlate with a parish’s expenses or capital needs. The electric bill will not be reduced, fuel costs will remain high, the snow must be ploughed, the leak in the roof has to be repaired, and the insurance premiums must be paid. It isn’t easy but it is necessary.

Twenty-eight years of service to the Catholic Church assures us that parishioners will respond. In good times and bad, the generosity of the faithful never fails to meet the needs of our Church. Please know that The Cunneen Company remains committed to assisting your parish or diocese.

Our offertory enhancement, electronic giving and capital campaign programs are obtaining meaningful and lasting results. Offertory enhancement appeals conducted in September and October of this year have seen an average increase of 23%. It is comforting to witness the “deliberate confidence” of the tens of thousands of Catholics who supported their parishes over these difficult weeks. We are heartened by their response.

As always, thank you for your time, consideration and for granting us the privilege to serve your parish or diocese.

Sincerely,

John Cunneen

Good stewards have faith.

Bad Economic Times can provide a Healthy Perspective

“It is the heart that makes a man rich.
He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.”
-Henry Ward Beecher

Whether or not we are in an official “recession,” there is now no denying that our country is experiencing an historic and catastrophic downturn in the economy. While it is the large banks and Wall Street firms that have received all the publicity and “bailouts”, it is in the individual family wallet and budget where we all are feeling the pinch of the tough economy more acutely than anywhere else. When difficulties are experienced and our safety is threatened, we find out if our religious beliefs are more than mere slogans or platitudes. Is it possible to find a silver lining in the economic rain cloud hanging over our heads?

If we are to find our way through these tough times, we must first understand the “motivation of crisis.” You know the old saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Well, bad economic times can create the pressure needed for us to finally review our financial stewardship and how faithful and disciplined we are in the way we use our personal financial resources. The economists tell us this particular crisis was brought on by unwise debt and mortgage lending. If we have personally overextended our family finances with too much debt, these times will be very tough for us indeed and we will have to make serious cutbacks in our expenses. But if we learn this painful lesson and begin to live within our family’s financial means, the future can hold great promise. When finances are flush and times are good, it is easy to be less disciplined in our spending and how we use our money. Yard sales are testimonies to how much “junk” most families have and could easily live without. When times are difficult, we are much more careful how we spend our money and we come much closer to limiting our purchases to useful necessities.

When we experience financial woes, we must remember Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12:13-34 that if we build our treasures here on earth, moth and rust can destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But treasures built in Heaven are safe from these dangers and will provide a safe and secure foundation upon which a life can be built that will endure the financial struggles that will inevitably occur. Further, Jesus promises that just as the birds of the air and the flowers are provided for by God, so too will He provide our basic and essential needs. To worry about these things, Jesus taught, is folly and doesn’t help the situation at all.

As times improve, and they eventually will, good stewards will remember the lessons learned and the more disciplined priorities of these lean times. We will keep our future expenditures under control and representative of the teachings of our Lord. These economic times will pass, although we don’t know how soon. But people of FAITH will make the most of the time to review and re-order their lives and stewardship, and will look back on 2008 as a great year when they rediscovered the power of their faith and trust in their Lord to provide their needs.

A Capital Campaign for needed improvements or additions can provide an excellent opportunity for your parishioners to step out in faith and make a Statement of Intention that will be a testament to their faith in the future and their trust in God to provide their needs

Article by: Ralph Salzgaber. Cunneen consultant, campaign director and author of Cunneen's Stewardship in Motion newsletter

Some good news!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6157679&page=1

This closely reflects what we are seeing in many of our programs. People still give! Parishes still need to ask! The work of the church and your non-profit must continue.

Just because the economy has slowed doesn't mean the electric bill is going to decrease or the insurance premiums will be reduced or the roof will automatically stop leaking. Just as your donors/parishioners must continue to meet their regular obligations so to must the parish or non-profit.

Now is the time for bold and confident leadership your parish, your non profit and the people your organization serves are counting on it.

More thoughts about fundaising in these difficult times...

A solid fundraising blog:

http://fundraisingcoach.com/2008/10/21/theres-nothing-compassionate-about-not-asking/

Here at the Cunneen Company we are in the midst of dozens of parish offertory enhancement programs. Fortunately for Cunneen and for our parish clients the pastors and parish leaders had the courage and confidence to move forward with their appeals. We are seeing an average increase in weekly giving at Catholic parishes across the country of around 23%! A 23% increase in giving at the height of the economic uncertainty.

If you ask, if you have been a good steward of your resources, a good communicator of your parish or organizations short, medium and long term funding goals, your supporters WILL give!

We have seen almost no decrease in gifts that come from income. These would be moderate capital campaign gifts, annual fund, weekly giving and offertory support. We have seen a weakening in our major and leadership gifts levels. These gifts traditionally come from assets or from "wealth". There is no question that even the most affluent of donors are feeling a lot less wealthy, less secure during these uncertain times. Needless to say gifts of appreciated securities (stock) have been a bit slow of late.

If you are considering a modest capital campaign (up to two times annual giving or offertory) or are focusing on your annual giving, weekly stewardship or offertory-it is still a good if not essential time for you to be conducting a professionally guided program.