Record Giving in 2013

Published
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February 17, 2014
Issue 21
 
 
Record Giving in 2013
 
For the first time, U.S. charitable giving exceeded $400 billion last year, rising 13 percent over 2012 to reach a record $416.5 billion.
 
According to the Atlas of Giving, this record philanthropy was fueled largely by significant increases in stock prices, and the biggest gains in gift revenue were enjoyed by human services organizations, environmental charities, donor advised funds and educational institutions.
 
Contributions to religious causes, as a share of all giving, remained by far the largest category, accounting for 35 percent of Americans’ donations.
 
The initial outlook for giving in 2014 is positive. The current forecast indicates giving will rise four percent this year. It was the third straight yearly increase found by the Atlas of Giving, which uses an algorithm that incorporates economic, demographic, and event factors to estimate annual giving.
Campaign Statistics
 
 
  
*A portion of the Leadership Gifts Phase total raised is shared with parishes, therefore the overall total is less than the sum of the individual phases. 
 
* Retired, but pastor when campaign was conducted. 
 
Good News
Block One
Fr. Tien Duong at St. Francis of Assisi in Franklin invited parishioners to volunteer for Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love during Mass. From this appeal he secured ten volunteers that will join the parish Ambassador committee. Volunteers expressed their excitement to join this effort that will help their parish build stronger ministries.   
 
Block Two
 
 St. Dorothy in Lincolnton received their first campaign gift of $50,000. Fr. Miller and the Campaign Executive Committee continue to visit fellow parishioners to share the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love message.
 
Msgr. West and the dedicated Ambassadors at St. Helen in Spencer Mountain have gotten their campaign off to an incredible start. In less than one month, 23 families have committed $97,100. St. Helen’s target is $95,000; now 50% of every dollar raised will be returned to St. Helen for their local parish share.    
 
The Leadership Team and Ambassadors at St. Matthew in Charlotte have witnessed excitement from parishioners participating in Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love. Parishioners are passionate about the Faith Formation Endowment expansion which allows the parish to fulfill its mission as Evangelizers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. More than 28,000 students throughout our parishes and missions receive the teachings of the Church with conviction and accuracy; with an increase to this vital component more catechists will receive professional training to help parishioners deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.