The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado (TCF) has taken a new approach to help advance the mission of the Church by centralizing development and fundraising personnel of several ministries into “one big team” known as The Catholic Foundation Alliance, or simply The Alliance.
The Alliance, under TCF umbrella, will provide centralized development services including fundraising, donor relations and management, event planning, marketing and communication, grant management and outreach. Ministries involved include the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal, Centro San Juan Diego, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust, and the archdiocese’s two high schools: Bishop Machebeuf and Holy Family.
“After spending the past six months leading the effort to put everything together, this change will undoubtedly be successful in helping develop donor relationships that will be mutually beneficial for them and our Church,” explained Deacon Steve Stemper, CEO and president of TCF, who has led the effort.
TFC’s staff of eight now share their office at 3801 E. Florida Ave. with 25 additional staff members from the various ministries, in addition to a few newly-hired employees. The centralized model, according to Deacon Stemper, is similar to the advancement model used by major universities and health institutions.
“There are several benefits to this new way of working together as an alliance,” Deacon Stemper said.
Benefits, he said, include using donors’ time more efficiently, focusing on donors’ passions, maintaining a centralized database, offering strategic marketing and communications including coordinated events, developing stronger relationships with parishes, volunteers and the community at large; improving accountability and succession planning for development, increasing planned giving for the Church in northern Colorado, and increasing revenue over time, which will enable the ministries to expand their capabilities.
The idea, and related research, began in 2011 under the leadership of then-Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap., now archbishop of Philadelphia. Development of the approach continued under Archbishop Samuel Aquila, who had experience with a similar model while serving as Bishop of Fargo, N.D. On Dec. 19, Archbishop Aquila issued a decree establishing The Alliance.
It will assume the same motto as TCF: “Giving for the kingdom of God,” and will operate under the general oversight of Deacon Stemper, with Jim Link serving as executive vice president of development.
