Diocese to Launch Capital Campaign in 2018

Fundraising effort needed to maintain viability of parish and diocesan funds

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In preparation for the 150th Anniversary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has announced that a diocesan-wide capital campaign will be launched in January 2018 to increase resources to stabilize and maintain the viability of parish and diocesan funds. The diocese will observe its 150th Anniversary in 2022. The theme of the campaign, Grateful for God’s Providence, will be among the many ways the historic milestone will be commemorated. The campaign will run over the course of two years with the goal to raise a minimum of $50 million.

“The capital campaign, which we are now announcing, is an important and historic initiative for the diocese of Providence as we prepare to celebrate our 150th anniversary,” said Bishop Tobin. “It is a tangible way of showing that we are “Grateful for God’s Providence,” which we have all experienced over the years, while also creating a beautiful legacy for future generations. The financial needs of the Church are clear, but the faith and generosity of Catholics in this diocese continues to be remarkable. I am very confident that the campaign will be successful, and I hope that every member of our Church will participate in this historic campaign,” added Bishop Tobin.

It has been determined that the diocese needs to increase its financial resources to ensure the health and long-term vitality of necessary endowment funds for senior priest care, seminarians’ education, Catholic schools, social services as well as preserving the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and parishes.

With Bishop Tobin’s support, an extensive planning study was conducted throughout the diocese to establish the viability of such a fundraising campaign. Consultations with chancery officials, clergy, religious and laity to evaluate campaign viability found widespread support.

Guidance in Giving, the firm retained to assist the diocese with the initiative, has been working with diocesan officials on the initial rollout for several months. As a Catholic organization, they work solely with dioceses, parishes and schools throughout the country to implement studies and provide counsel with capital campaigns. They have assisted over 60 Catholic dioceses in the last 20 years alone and in each of the dioceses they have worked, the diocese and parishes benefited significantly from the funds raised for their individual programs, ministries, services and capital projects.