The Religious Landscape of the United StatesImplications and Challenges

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The Religious Landscape of the United
States--Implications and Challenges
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Our Panel

• Margaret Cuccinello, Province of St. Mary of the
  Capuchins, NY
• David Kersten, Foundation of the Roman Catholic
  Diocese of Buffalo
• Dan Pritchard, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls,
  Chicago
• Fran Bourdon, The Association of Marian Helpers,
  Stockbridge, MA, Moderator

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The Burning Question

• What aspects of the current reality in American
  Catholic life seem most significant in your role
  in fundraising?
• Or, to state it more bluntly What keeps you up
  at night as a Catholic fundraiser, given the
  current reality?

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Look at the Numbers
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From the 2008 Pew Study

• Regional Distribution of Catholics
• 29 Northeast
• 24 Midwest
• 24 South
• 23 West

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From the Pew Study

• Age Distribution of Catholics
• 18 18-29
• 41 30-49
• 24 50-64
• 16 65
• Gender Composition of Catholics
• 46 Male
• 54 Female

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Some Observations

• Majority of Catholic donors come from East and
  Midwest, not areas of highest growth in the
  Church, but highest in Catholic institutions
• Profile of average donor is 65 and as they grow
  older, they are predominantly female.
• The donors files are shrinking as donors die
• 65 of Catholics according to Pew study are
  between 30-64 years old

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Question

• What can and should we be doing RIGHT NOW in
  terms of these older, faithful donors, especially
  in the light of the current economic crisis?

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Look at These Numbers
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And How They Have Changed
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2008 Campbell Rinker Survey

• Household expenses had the most significant
  impact on charitable giving. Almost half of
  donors (48 percent) said unexpected expenses had
  a negative effect compared to 35 percent who said
  changes in household income and 29 percent who
  said performance of investments had a negative
  effect. More than half (51 percent) said
  declining home values had no effect compared to
  31 percent who said they had a negative impact.

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Observations

• The wealth gap has changed dramatically in the
  last 25 years
• The middle class, who is the core community to
  whom we address our appeals, has been severely
  impacted in such areas as investments, mortgages,
  job security, health insurance, etc.
• 65 of Catholics according to Pew study are
  between 30-64 years old

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Question

• What can and should we be doing in terms of
  seeking the continued support of this segment of
  our donor base?
• At the same time, what can and should we be doing
  to acquiring new donors from this segment?

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Look at our Diversity
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From Pew Study

• Racial and Ethnic Composition of Catholics
• 65 White (non-Hispanic)
• 2 Black (non-Hispanic)
• 2 Asian (non-Hispanic)
• 2 Other/Mixed (non-Hispanic)
• 29 Hispanic

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Observations

• 1/3 of US Catholics are Hispanic and this segment
  continues to grow faster than any other in our
  Church
• This group is young and although many in this
  group have migrated to the U.S. recently, many
  Hispanic Catholics are 2nd and 3rd generation
  Americans
• There is tremendous cultural diversity within
  this ethnic group

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Question

• Although it seems obvious that the Catholic
  fundraising community must seek the support of
  this group, what are some of the issues and
  concerns to be addressed?
• What about Black American Catholics, Native
  American and Asian Catholics?

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What the People Want

• The National Catholic Reporter (2005) Survey of
  US Catholics
• 64 of parishioners surveyed believe they should
  have input in determining parish budgets
• The NonProfit Times 2006 Donor Survey indicated
• 1 reason a donor decides to commit long term
  financial support (at least 5 years) is because
  the organization is well managed and your money
  is well spent

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Observations

• Some dioceses have declared bankruptcy
• Large lawsuit payments are being made
• Cases of misappropriation of funds and
  embezzlement are headline news
• The IRS 990 form is being popularized as a
  credibility credential

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Question

• What concrete actions should we be taking to
  develop more trust in what we do and more public
  confidence?
• What can NCDC do as a collective body in this
  regard?

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For Your Reference

• Pew Report US Religious Landscape
• http//religions.pewforum.org
• National Catholic Reporter Report
• http//ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005c/09
  3005/093005l.htm
• Campbell Rinker study
• This article is from the NPT Instant Fundraising,
  a publication of the NonProfit Times, 9/18/