Where Do I Send CMA Gifts? Catholic Ministries Appeal 2026

Over the past several months, our office has received many phone calls and emails from parishioners asking the same questions: “Where should I send my Catholic Ministries Appeal gifts this year and why isn’t the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota processing them?”

To ensure clarity and that your gifts are processed in a timely manner, we want to provide some additional detail. The Catholic Ministries Appeal is continuing this year. Many parishioners have recently received their annual mailing, and parishes have begun their annual fundraising efforts. However, the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota is not collecting Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) donations this year.

This is an intentional change and not a disruption of gift processing. This shift is part of the Foundation’s expanded focus on strengthening stewardship and financial leadership at the parish and local Catholic organization level.

A New Focus: Expanded Services for Local Parishes

Beginning in 2026, the Catholic Foundation is dedicating more of its time and resources to helping parishes and our Catholic community of Southern Minnesota build long‑term financial strength. This includes things like:

• Practical training on Catholic Investing and Philanthropy (info on free seminars here)
• Parish leadership empowerment such helping create endowments or running capital campaigns
• Diocesan Listening Exercise to identify the high priority issues we can solve together (Full report to come. A key finding is discussed here)
• Legacy building support for Catholic individuals through new tools like donor‑advised funds
• Stewardship formation for pastors, trustees, and finance councils

These expanded services are just our first steps toward a broader vision for Catholic stewardship in Southern Minnesota. You can read more about these new paths here and follow us on Facebook to stay apprised of our new programs as they are released.

While the Foundation focuses on these parish‑centered initiatives, the Diocese of Winona–Rochester is now directly managing all Catholic Ministries Appeal donations.

What Actually is the Catholic Ministries Appeal?

The Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) is an annual diocesan appeal that supports essential ministries across the Diocese of Winona–Rochester. This has not changed. These ministries serve tens of thousands of people each year and strengthen parish life in ways that individual parishes cannot do alone.

Your CMA gifts help fund:

• Catholic Charities, including outreach to families, seniors, and those in crisis
• Support for priests and seminarians, including vocations discernment, formation, ongoing education and retirement
• Evangelization and missionary discipleship efforts
• Parish resources, such as technology support for parish bookkeepers
• Lay formation programs, including RCIA—which in recent years has helped welcome and baptize the largest number of new Catholics into our diocese has seen in decades
• Young Adult Ministry Programs and Youth Ministry and Faith Formation
• Life, Marriage, & Family programming including marriage preparation, dignity of life and more
• Support for Catholic Schools and Cemeteries
• Support for Hispanic Ministries across the diocese and Newman Centers on college campuses

These ministries will continue with the generosity of donors like you.

How to Make Your CMA Gift This Year

As the Foundation is no longer collecting CMA donations, all gifts should now be sent directly to the Diocese of Winona–Rochester.

Your gift can be completed in one of a few ways:

1. Give online here through Give Central
2. Return your pledge envelope to your parish
3. Send your donation in the return envelope included in your mailing packet or in an envelope made out to the following address

Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Catholic Ministries Appeal
PO Box 148
Kensington, CT 06037-0148

Please note: If your donation was already sent to the Catholic Foundation or is on its way, it  will be forwarded to the DOW-R in a timely manner.

Your generosity ensures that the ministries supported by the CMA remain strong and continue serving our parishes and communities.

Our Mission Continues—Just in a New Way

The Catholic Foundation remains deeply committed to strengthening parishes, schools, and Catholic ministries across Southern Minnesota. This year’s shift simply reflects a renewed focus: equipping parishes and our local Catholic community with the tools, training, and long‑term financial strategies they need to thrive.

Thank you for your continued generosity and for your dedication to the mission of the Church in our diocese.

If you have questions about this transition or about the Foundation’s expanded parish services, please reach out. We’re always glad to talk.

info@catholicfsmn.org | 507-218-4098