Posted September 27, 2013

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will not ask Catholics for money.

Instead, the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia will not only “make the ask” but it will invite donors to indicate how they would like their contributions to be used in support of the good works of the church in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The new organization was announced at a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 24 at its center city Philadelphia headquarters at 20th and Arch streets.

As of July 1, the archdiocese closed its Office for Stewardship and Development, the internal office charged with operating the Catholic Charities Appeal, planning giving programs, St. Charles Seminary Appeal and other efforts to encourage Catholics to donate their money and time to the church.

That work and the development of a new, consultative approach to fundraising will be taken up by the Catholic Foundation, which is entirely separate from the Archdiocese. Not only is it located across town from the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, but the foundation is an independent nonprofit organization operating with its own board of directors and corporate bylaws.