Evenings of Clarity and Confidence: Stewarding Parish Resources in a Turbulent Time

Across our diocese, parish and school leaders are carrying an extraordinary responsibility. You are making financial decisions in an environment marked by market volatility, donor hesitation, cultural polarization, and increasing pressure on parish resources. Many leaders have shared the same sentiment: “We want to do the right thing—but the landscape feels overwhelming.”

To support you in this moment, the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota will begin hosting focused evenings designed specifically for priests, trustees, finance councils, and parish/school administrators who help guide financial decisions. Each session will offer practical, mission‑aligned guidance on investing, philanthropy, and parish resource management, rooted in Catholic teaching and tailored to the realities you face today.

Our upcoming events are below. If you're interested in hosting this no-cost event near you, please reach out to me today! ewilliams@catholicfsmn.org, 507-218-4098.

Rochester, MN: Leading Through Complexity: Mission, Money, and Strategic Decision‑Making in a Rapidly Changing Cultural Landscape

Wednesday, March 18 • 5:00 PM
Pax Christi Catholic Church, Rochester

This evening is designed for leaders who are navigating not only financial questions but also cultural pressures, parish expectations, and the need for unified messaging.

Investment Focus: Aligning Investments With Catholic Values in a Polarized Culture

We will address things like:

• The current state of the market and key trends to watch
• How USCCB‑compliant funds navigate today’s social tensions
• How investment screens work—and what “Catholic‑aligned” actually means in practice
• How to reassure parishioners and stakeholders that investments reflect Church teaching
• How risk and return are balanced within compliant portfolios
• How we approach prudence, performance, and mission alignment

This session will help you speak confidently about your parish’s investment approach—even in a polarized environment.

Philanthropy Focus: Making the Case for Support When Everyone Is Asking for Something

Parishes today compete with hospital campaigns, community drives, national nonprofits, and digital fundraising appeals. Standing out requires clarity, unity, and a compelling message.

We will explore things like:

• Philanthropy 101: the current landscape and the 80/20 rule
• How to differentiate your parish’s mission amid competing appeals
• How to craft a case for support that resonates with today’s donors
• How to talk about parish needs without sounding desperate
• How to unify priest, staff, and council messaging so donors hear one clear voice

This session will equip you to communicate with confidence and inspire generosity in a crowded philanthropic environment.

Austin, MN: Managing Parish Resources Wisely in Turbulent Times: Investing Simply with Confidence and Why Donors Are Hesitating

Thursday, March 19 • 5:00 PM
St. Augustine Catholic Church, Austin

Parish leaders are navigating a financial environment that feels increasingly unpredictable. This session will help you cut through the noise and make decisions with clarity, confidence, and fidelity to Church teaching.

Investment Focus: Investing With Confidence When the World Feels Uncertain

We will explore:

• The current state of the market and what parish leaders need to know
• How USCCB‑compliant investing protects mission and mitigates risk
• What prudent, values‑aligned investing looks like in volatile markets
• How to make sound decisions even when leadership feels unqualified or hesitant

This portion is designed to help you understand the landscape, ask the right questions, and feel confident in your fiduciary role.

Philanthropy Focus: Why Donors Are Hesitating — And How Parishes Can Rebuild Trust Now

Donor behavior has shifted dramatically. Many parishioners feel stretched, anxious, or unsure where their giving makes the most impact.

We will cover things like:

• Philanthropy 101: today’s giving landscape, the 80/20 rule, and common fundraising tools
• Why donors are pausing: economic uncertainty, competing campaigns, and information overload
• How to communicate clearly when parishioners feel overwhelmed
• Practical steps to rebuild trust after past missteps
• How to move forward even when pastors or councils feel cautious or slow to act

This session will give you concrete tools to strengthen donor confidence and support your parish’s mission.

Meet the Speakers

Brad Stephans, CFA, will cover the Investment portion of the evening. Brad is is a Managing Director at Concord Advisory and a seasoned investment professional with more than twenty‑five years of experience in financial advising and institutional portfolio management. For the past fifteen years, he has helped Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools, and ministries navigate values‑aligned investing and implement USCCB‑compliant strategies with clarity and prudence. Brad also serves on the USCCB Committee on Catholic Responsible Investments, contributing to national efforts to strengthen mission‑driven stewardship across Catholic institutions.

Kim Synder, MA, will lead the philanthropy portion of the evening. Kim is a nonprofit leader with more than thirty years of experience guiding organizations through growth, fundraising, and community engagement. She has served in senior roles across Minnesota, including as Vice President of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and as a development leader within the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Kim owns her own consultancy, Excelsior Bay Group, and also serves as a consultant‑in‑residence for the Mankato and Willmar Area Foundations, supporting regional philanthropy and organizational capacity building.

Why These Evenings Matter

Parish leaders are being asked to make decisions that carry long‑term consequences for mission, ministry, and financial stability. You deserve support, clarity, and tools that honor both your responsibility and your time.

These sessions are designed to:

• Simplify complex topics
• Strengthen your confidence
• Align decisions with Catholic values
• Help you lead with unity and purpose
• Support the long‑term vitality of your ministry

Whether you are a priest, trustee, finance council member, or parish/school administrator, your leadership matters deeply. We hope you will join us for one of these evenings of learning, conversation, and practical guidance.

RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

RSVP to Elizabeth Williams, Executive Director - info@catholicfsmn.org - 507-218-4098