America's Service Commissions’ Post

💡Stewardship Survey Insight: The 2023 Stewardship Survey supports our position that having a dedicated stewardship role is crucial for a successful stewardship strategy...for churches of ALL sizes. Read more in our blog. https://hubs.ly/Q02mHC0B0 #Stewardship #ChurchLeadership #2023StewardshipSurvey.

The world and America in particular needs this: volunteerism, civic duty and service are something sadly that seems to be at a loss in my country. The opportunity I had to serve in the Peace Corps helped me realize the necessity of community engagement and cohesion and the immense need for these opportunities for citizens around the world to build strong and resilient democracies at the local and national levels. I am also reminded of Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone” and an update he wrote in 2010, reflecting on the imperative of “social capital” which research has shown makes “citizens happier, healthier, reduces crime and makes governments more responsive, and honest and improves economic prosperity…” https://lnkd.in/ejFsvTs9 - all of this to say: building this social capital is imperative fo “any democracy, any society can’t be healthy without this resource…” (paraphrased!) - Americorps and Peace corps forging a stronger partnership can only be beneficial to growing social capital and I encourage all of us to look closer at our own civic engagement and service to our communities- this is where change and development starts.

A Focus on Forever! What a difference 10 years make! Earlier in the year, the Catholic Foundation of Eastern PA declared more than $903,000 in distributions and a total of $3.1M in the past eight years. This shows the funds are working to provide our Catholic parishes, schools, cemeteries and ministries with much needed income to support their programs. #ForeverFriday #investinforever

Have you begun to wonder if an annual giving appeal is still effective? This short case study is for you. You will read how three churches of various sizes and denominations were guided by an experienced Horizons coach to experience double-digit increases! https://hubs.ly/Q02BZ3YS0

BLOG! The Goal & Role of Christian School Development Read HERE ► https://buff.ly/3LgkyBA The goal of development is to engage people rationally with your work. Providing opportunities for individuals to give “casually” or through participation in projects can be helpful in building your database. Steps should be taken, however, to move those giving in these categories to becoming core donors.

Was giving in your Arch/Diocese up or down in 2022? Join Scott Whitaker, Bevin C. Kennedy, Joseph M. Gillmer, CFRE® CSPG CAP®, and host Jim Friend for a #GivingUSA panel discussion on Diocesan Development topics, including Diocesan Appeals/Catholic entities/Catholic Schools, losing donors, IRA Distributions, Major Gifts, Donor Advised Funds, using Artificial intelligence (AI) in Development, and much more. https://lnkd.in/ebdn-YH3

In “Invisible No More: Voices from Native America”, authors excavate the history and ongoing effects of genocide and colonialism, reminding readers how philanthropic wealth often stems from the theft of Native land and resources. Order your copy today: https://bit.ly/3QtZ2g4

Have you begun to wonder if an annual giving appeal is still effective? This short case study is for you. You will read how three churches of various sizes and denominations were guided by an experienced Horizons coach to experience double-digit increases! https://hubs.ly/Q02BZ3nB0