* Ask about the family’s decision process. It gives you insight and prompts them to think concretely about their choice.

* Set a date for your next meeting within approximately one week of the initial visit. This is helpful for the prospective donor to know when they need to decide, and for you to put it on the calendar.

* Conduct the follow up meeting, asking if the prospective donor has any questions. This will help move the parishioner(s) toward a decision.

* Thank the parishioner for their interest in the Campaign, regardless of their decisions, and ask them to pray for its success.

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and the Advent season are an ideal time for fundraising, according to industry research. Charitable giving is at its peak during the holidays; nearly half of non-profit groups receive most of their donations in October, November and December.

With Thanksgiving approaching, and many Block I parishes concluding their campaigns in early December, it is time to follow up with families who have been praying about their participation for a week or longer.

A recent survey of Americans’ charitable donations by causes.com found that 85 percent have given to a cause, and among that group, more than a third are more likely to make contributions during the holiday season.

The analysis also found that half of American adults who have given to charitable organizations do so because a friend or family member is raising money for a specific cause. Also, 50 percent cited that they wanted to do something positive for their community.

In addition to genuine goodwill, there’s also an opportunity for donors to receive year-end tax deductions.

So remember, ’tis the season to give thanks, and to give back!

For more helpful hints on closing gift requests, review your Ambassador Training Manuals. Please contact your Campaign Director if you need additional copies of this literature.

Fr. Shawn O’Neal is excited to publically share the Campaign message in Mass to all parish families at St. Joseph (Bryson City) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Cherokee). Parishioners at both the church and its mission fully understand the good works of the effort and are now praying about their own participation.

At a special parish outreach event, 85 parish families who received campaign information in the mail were contacted by St. Benedict (Greensboro) Ambassadors. The families were thankful for the opportunity to speak with an Ambassador to answer their many questions about the campaign. Fr. Duc Duong will continue to offer opportunities for parish families to ask questions and consider their participation.

The leadership team at St. Matthew in Charlotte welcomed a $25,000 commitment to the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love effort. In the coming weeks, the leadership team will educate ministry leaders on the components of this historic initiative. St. Matthew parishioners have experienced the growth that is representative throughout the diocese. In addition to expanding their community outreach work and supporting broader ministries, the local share will enable St. Matthew to create additional space for their growing parish.

During Mass this weekend, an Ambassador at Holy Cross in Kernersville shared with Fr. Paul Dechant and the Holy Cross community his belief in the importance of Catholic education. He attributes his own Catholic education as shaping his religious and spiritual devotion and is happy to work on an effort that will ensure others may have a similar experience.

Fr. Benjamin Roberts at Our Lady of Lourdes (Monroe) hosted a special campaign kickoff event for 18 families. Fr. Roberts expressed his passion for the campaign and shared that he chose to participate in the effort out of gratitude for the Bishop and the entire Catholic community for their constant support of his endeavors.

St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa received an additional $61,068 in gifts, bringing their total raised to $216,908, or 60% of the parish’s goal! Forty three families have felt inspired to participate in this transformational effort that will ensure that their faith will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years.

St. James in Hamlet received two new gifts to the campaign this week; these commitments now bring the parish to $160,500 raised, or 80% of their campaign goal. Fr. Jean Pierre Swamunu Lhoposo has been enthused by the reaction his parishioners are having towards Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love, emphasizing the impact the broader ministries have across the entirety of western North Carolina.

Fr. Philip Kollithanath at St. Joseph in Asheboro is excited to announce that they received 40 additional gifts to the campaign, more than tripling their campaign total in one week! Fr. Philip and his Ambassadors have been spreading the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love message, while explaining how monies returned to the parish will ensure St. Joseph’s vibrant future.

Fr. Tien Duong and his team of Ambassadors at St. Francis of Assisi in Franklin welcomed the first gifts to the campaign! St. Francis of Assisi looks forward to seeing the fruits of Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love’s investment in Catholic Charities. This will assist their current food pantry that feeds more than 150 needy families every week.

Fr. Larry LoMonaco at Immaculate Conception in Canton is grateful for the support families have demonstrated towards the Campaign effort. After many months of campaigning, Immaculate Conception has surpassed its goal and will receive 50% of every additional commitment made to the campaign.