Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of visiting with parish councils and parishioners across our Diocese. One theme keeps surfacing: a deep love for their parish and a desire to make sure it remains strong for generations to come.
It’s a beautiful thing to witness.
More and more parishes are beginning conversations about starting a fund or strengthening an existing one. Not because they are in crisis but because they are thinking ahead. We are also seeing more individuals and families exploring how they can create funds to support the parish, schools and ministries they care about most.
So what is a fund?
In simple terms, it’s a dedicated pool of resources set aside to support the long-term mission. Some funds are permanent endowments, where the principal remains invested and earnings are used each year to support ministry, Catholic education and parish needs. Others are more flexible funds designed to help with future projects or specific purposes.
Individuals and families can also establish funds that support a parish, school, ministry, or even scholarships for students. In many cases, these funds are created as a way to honor a loved one, support a ministry that shaped their faith, or leave a legacy that continues serving the Church long after they are gone.
At its heart, a fund is simply a tool, one that helps move from year-to-year budgeting to long-term stewardship.
An endowment is not about fear of the future. It is about faith in the future.
One of the most common questions we receive is about how those funds are invested. That’s an important question. At the Catholic Foundation, all funds are invested in alignment with Catholic values. We do not invest in companies or industries that contradict the teachings of the Church. In fact, we believe strongly that our financial resources should reflect our faith just as much as our words and actions do.
Why would we do anything else?
A fund can:
- Provide steady support for parishes, schools, and ministries
- Invite legacy gifts from parishioners who love their Church
- Ensure that today’s generosity continues blessing tomorrow’s families
For individuals and families, a fund can also become a lasting expression of their faith and generosity, supporting the Church and the ministries they care about for generations.
And most importantly, starting the conversation is not complicated.
We often hear, “We don’t even know where to begin.” That’s exactly why the Catholic Foundation exists. We walk alongside parishes, schools, and families, answer questions, help structure funds, and make the process simple and clear.
If you are a parishioner who cares about the future of the Church, start a conversation. Ask your priest if a fund exists. If you serve on a council, consider whether now might be the time to explore one. And if you or your family have ever thought about how your generosity could continue supporting the Church long into the future, a fund may be one way to make that vision possible.
Planning ahead is a sign of hope.
And hope is something our parishes have always had in abundance.
For more information, we are always happy to visit, answer questions, or simply talk through ideas. That’s what we’re here for.