By Matthew Gambino • Posted December 9, 2021

More than 9,000 local donors raised $1.77 million for 124 parishes, schools and non-profit ministries of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as part of the annual #iGiveCatholic fundraising initiative.

Now in its seventh year, the initiative occurs annually on #GivingTuesday – the global day of giving that takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving Day — to raise money for Catholic organizations.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia joined the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia in promoting the faith-based giving day for the first time in 2020. #iGiveCatholic is joined by more than 40 dioceses in the United States.

Archbishop Perez said he was “thrilled” to learn of the success of the drive this year.

“On behalf of all those you helped us serve,” he told donors in a statement, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your kindness and generosity. Your support is a clear reflection of your commitment to seeing the face of Christ in those most in need. May God bless you abundantly during this Holy Season of Advent and always.”

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Of the 9,097 donors to the initiative in the archdiocese, two-thirds gave to two specific beneficiaries: St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and the archdiocesan Catholic Charities Appeal.

A leaderboard of #iGiveCatholic beneficiaries showed these two organizations respectively were numbers one and two nationally, and Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor was number five.

According to the foundation, the seminary raised $390,797 from 2,679 donors and the CCA raised $387,859 from 3,372 donors. Archbishop Carroll raised $245,422.

In November the seminary was in the midst of its month-long annual appeal, supported by direct-mail solicitation and parish collections, and the CCA is an ongoing annual fundraiser.

All funds donated to the seminary and the appeal during #iGiveCatholic’s advance phase through #Giving Tuesday – Nov. 15 through Nov. 30 – were counted toward the initiative.

This year the #iGiveCatholic effort raised $16.53 million nationally with support from 44,151 donors for 1,620 organizations.

“Thank you to all the parishes, schools and nonprofit ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that participated in #iGiveCatholic this year,” said Sarah O. Hanley, president and chief executive officer of CFGP. “We are especially grateful to all who gave so generously to support these organizations and their important missions.”