PROVIDENCE — With two months left to go in the 2023 Catholic Charity Appeal, the annual collection has reached 80% of its goal to raise $7 million.
During the Lenten season, pastors and laity made presentations to parishioners about the importance of the Appeal in supporting numerous diocesan outreach ministries.
Much of the more than $5.5 million in gifts pledged so far has come in response to direct mailing by the Office of Stewardship and Development, with an increasing number of donors choosing to make their gifts electronically.
“We’ve seen more people make their gift online in 2023. We’ve collected approximately $200,000 more dollars online than last year,” said Stewardship and Development Director Tim McCaig.
The in-pew phase, in which the faithful contribute through their parish collection basket, has generated about $350,000 so far, he added.
McCaig said that 34% of donors who made a gift to the Appeal last year have increased their gift this year.
As of this week, 11 parishes are over their goals for the Appeal (a full list can be found on page 12), with 55 parishes in all reaching 70% or more of their goals.
Of these parishes, St. Raymond in Providence has recorded the highest percentage in exceeding its goal at 130%, while Our Lady of Mercy Parish in East Greenwich has raised the highest amount in dollars so far at $242,471.
Additionally, 109 clergy have pledged $153,000, with an average gift of $1,400.
“We’re very encouraged that we’re going to get very close to or surpass this year’s goal,” McCaig said.
The 2023 Appeal, with the theme “Walking Together in Faith,” will close on June 30.
This year’s goal represents an increase from $6.8 million in 2022, when the campaign surpassed $6,960,000 in gifts from 19,631 donors.
New this year, the Office of Stewardship and Development has created an online results page for individuals interested in tracking the campaign pledges made to their parishes and the progress each is making toward meeting its individual goals. The page can be viewed by visiting www.givecentral.org/leaderboard/providencecca23. Donors may also contribute to the Appeal through this link.
The 2023 Catholic Charity Appeal reaches 80% of its goal, see the breakdown by parish .
See the results of the 2023 Catholic Charity Appeal as they come in.
Support Catholic Charity Appeal ministries helping those RI’ers most in need.
