Ignite! Campaign eclipses $35 million for multiple needs
February 15, 2023
The Diocese of Des Moines’ Ignite! Campaign surpassed $35 million in January, a testament to the generosity of thousands of families and the vibrancy of the Church in Southwest Iowa.
For Bishop William Joensen, this is a defining moment in the campaign, and he is extremely grateful to all the families and individuals who have supported this initiative through their gifts and prayers.
“I am humbled by the devoted spirit of countless families in our Diocese,” he said. “In light of the bracing challenges of the past few years, this is a remarkable achievement. The Holy Spirit’s inspiration and guidance is evident in the response by so many who have had to make choices and sacrifices on behalf of priorities in their lives. Our mission and vision will be amplified for years to come.”
A culminating moment
Today’s campaign progress is the culmination of several years of careful planning and work. In 2020, the Diocese undertook a comprehensive planning study that surveyed 1,200 parishioners. The study yielded positive results, indicating the potential to raise $35 million to $45 million.
Planning study results also showed broad support for the campaign’s five initiatives, which include funding a Catholic Schools Endowment to provide financial assistance to more families, supporting seminarians and retired priests, creating a smaller endowment for parish renewal projects, and reserving funds for parishes so they can fund local projects. Each of these initiatives aims to bring meaningful change and improvement to the Diocese.
Fundraising began in 2021 with a silent phase led by Bishop Joensen and a dedicated team of lay and clergy leaders. They raised $12 million with over $10 million designated toward the Catholic Schools Endowment.
Thanks to strong and early support for the endowment, the public phase launched in 2022 and featured “regional case statements,” meaning that funds raised at each parish were allocated to campaign initiatives based on their proximity to a Catholic school. For example, parishes with schools in the Des Moines metro allocated 50% of their funds to the endowment, while rural parishes without access to a school allocated 10%.
Maureen Kenney, director of Stewardship, is impressed with the level of leadership, organization and support displayed by parishes throughout the public phase.
“The campaign’s public phase was a complex undertaking, made possible by dozens of pastors and parish leaders, and hundreds of volunteers, all working together with their eyes set in the same direction,” she said.
By the end of 2022, nearly all 80 parishes in the diocese participated in the campaign through one of three parish “waves.” The campaign garnered over 6,000 gifts in that time. The lone exception is St. Pius X, which kicked off its campaign in late January of this year.
ADA due to begin
Just around the corner is the kick-off of the Annual Diocesan Appeal March 4-5. The annual fundraiser is distinct from the Ignite! Campaign as it makes possible diocesan ministries and outreach on an annual basis. The ADA supports a diocesan-wide disability ministry, funds priest health insurance premiums, and provides direct support to Catholic Charities among a multitude of other needs.
Both the Ignite! Campaign and the ADA work together to meet the needs of the Catholic Church in southwest Iowa now and in the future.
“Last year we worked hard to emphasize how Ignite! and the ADA are different endeavors. The ADA funds the annual needs of our people, parishes and ministries, whereas the Ignite! Campaign is a long-term investment in the future,” Kenney said. “It’s been incredible to see how the Diocese has responded with open hearts to these initiatives.”
Fundraising for the Ignite! Campaign will continue through the end of March with a focus on seeking support from foundations, sweep mailings, and the ongoing campaign at St. Pius X.
For additional information about the campaign, visit the campaign website, dmdiocese.org/ignite.