Endowment Fundraising Services | Catholic Foundation of So MN

How the Catholic Foundation Helps Parishes Build Strong, Sustainable Endowments to Protect Our Local Churches in Perpetuity

Across the Diocese of Winona‑Rochester, parishes are rediscovering the power of endowments to strengthen ministry, stabilize budgets, and build a legacy that lasts for generations. But creating and growing an endowment takes more than good intentions. It requires planning, donor engagement, clear communication, and the administrative expertise to steward gifts well.

This is where the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota can serve as your trusted partner. Our team brings the full range of fundraising, investment, and operational support needed to help parishes build endowments with confidence. And we can provide as little or as much support as you need to be successful.

Below is an overview of the expertise we provide at every stage of the endowment‑fundraising journey.

1. Strategic Planning — and Discernment About Whether Outside Help Is Needed

Strong endowment fundraising begins with clarity. Before a parish launches an endowment initiative, we help leaders discern what level of support they truly need. Some parishes benefit from outside fundraising counsel; others simply need a clear plan and the right tools to do the work with their existing team. We walk with you through that discernment so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Once a parish is ready to move forward, we help:

• Identify long‑term needs and ministry priorities
• Determine the right type of endowment structure
• Set realistic fundraising goals
• Build timelines and benchmarks
• Create a plan that aligns with parish mission and diocesan guidelines
• Define the case statement and key messages for endowment promotion

Our planning process is collaborative and practical. We help parish leaders move from “We should start an endowment someday” to “We have a clear plan and we know our next steps.”

Strategic Planning Costs:

• We can provide services at a project basis at a fixed cost.
• Or, we can support you on an hourly cost basis
• Speak to a Foundation rep to get a quote specific to your situation.

2. Major Donor Engagement Rooted in Mission

Endowments grow when parishioners understand the long‑term impact of their generosity. We support parishes by:

• Identifying potential major donors
• Helping pastors and leaders prepare for donor conversations
• Providing talking points, case language, and impact stories
• Coaching leaders on how to invite transformational gifts
• Ensuring every conversation is pastoral, mission‑driven, and donor‑centered

And because planned gifts are often the most significant endowment gifts a parish will ever receive, the Foundation also offers free planned giving seminars for parishes. These sessions help parishioners understand how to support their parish through wills, beneficiary designations, charitable trusts, and more. Contact us today to schedule a planned giving seminar at your parish.

Our approach is never transactional. We help parishes build relationships that honor the donor’s intentions and strengthen the parish’s future.

Major Gifts Support Costs:

• We can provide services at a project basis at a fixed cost.
• Or, we can support you on an hourly cost basis
• Speak to a Foundation rep to get a quote specific to your situation.

3. Fundraising That Reaches the Whole Parish

Endowments are built one gift at a time. We help parishes run broad‑based fundraising efforts that invite the entire community to participate. This includes:

• Campaign messaging and themes
• Bulletin inserts and pulpit announcements
• Email and social‑media content
• Giving envelopes and response cards
• Parish‑wide appeals and special collections

Whether a parish is launching a new endowment or growing an existing one, we help ensure the message is clear, hopeful, and easy for parishioners to act on.

Fundraising Costs:

• We can provide services at a project basis at a fixed cost.
• Or, we can support you on an hourly cost basis
• Speak to a Foundation rep to get a quote specific to your situation.

4. Gift Receiving, Processing, and Tax Receipts — With Little to No Cost to Parishes

Behind every successful endowment is a strong administrative backbone. When endowment funds are held with the Foundation, we provide gift processing, donor acknowledgment, and tax receipts at little to no cost to the parish. This includes:

• Secure gift processing
• Donor acknowledgment and IRS‑compliant tax receipts
• Accurate record‑keeping
• Coordination with financial advisors and estate attorneys
• Compliance with diocesan and federal requirements

This allows parishes to focus on ministry while we ensure every gift is handled with professionalism, accuracy, and care.

Gift Receiving Costs:

• Do you have or wish to open an account with us to grow your endowment? Gift receiving, donor acknowledgement and tax receipts are provided with a just an 0.2-0.05% increase in your fund's annual management fee.
• Would you like us to handle gift receiving, acknowledgments and tax receipts and hold your funds elsewhere? We will charge a low fee per gift processed with cost savings based on volume of gifts. 
• Speak to a Foundation rep to get a quote specific to your situation.

5. Marketing Materials and Parish Mailings

Clear communication builds trust—and trust builds endowments. Our can team create:

• Brochures and one‑page summaries
• Case statements
• Direct‑mail letters
• Postcards and parish mailings
• Graphics for websites and social media
• Impact stories and donor spotlights

We tailor materials to each parish’s voice, mission, and goals so parishioners understand exactly how their gift will make a difference.

Why Parishes Choose the Catholic Foundation

Parishes partner with the Foundation because we offer:

• Local expertise rooted in Catholic stewardship
• Professional fundraising support with a lower cost than outside consultants
• Investment management aligned with USCCB guidelines
• A trusted administrative home for long‑term funds
• A mission‑driven approach that strengthens the whole diocese

Endowments are not just financial tools—they are acts of faith. They allow today’s parishioners to bless tomorrow’s parishioners. They create stability, support ministry, and ensure the Church’s mission continues long after we are gone.

The Catholic Foundation is here to help every parish take the next step. Contact us today to discuss your situation and to see if our services might be helpful to you.