‘Tis the season to do good, but especially on Giving Tuesday.
Americans are more generous than ever, according to a report by Giving USA, especially on Giving Tuesday, an online movement specifically focused on giving to charity on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Giving USA found that U.S. charities saw an estimated $410 billion in donations in 2017, an increase of nearly 5.2 percent from 2016. Giving to religious organizations increased 2.9 percent, with an estimated $127 billion in contributions. And many givers chose #GivingTuesday to share their generosity, giving $274 million last year, according to The Nonprofit Times.
On this special giving day and throughout the holiday season, people volunteer, raise awareness and donate money to charitable organizations of their choice. Such online giving opportunities to Catholic organizations are available right here in Northern Colorado
Giving that does good
The Catholic Foundation, based in Denver, is a generous giver’s most efficient way to support multiple charities, with its ability to offer various options including appreciated stock, planned gifts, real estate and personal property, retirement plans, insurance policies and more.
Making a difference
Giving is as much about the receiver as the giver, and Catholic Charities of Denver offers something for everyone.
Its continuum of care model offers multiple services to those in need. From Marisol Health, a network of medical clinics that provide life-affirming care, to shelter services, which provide short- and long-term housing and supportive services to help individuals and families become self-reliant—givers can see their generosity provide both material and spiritual support.
Catholic Charities offers opportunities to pray, volunteer and donate to all its ministries including Early Childhood Education, Gabriel House Project, Marisol Women’s Services, Shelter Services, Family and Senior Services, St. Raphael Counseling, Archdiocesan Housing and more.
“Charity requires both a person who gives and a person who receives,” said Darren Walsh, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Denver. “Giving Tuesday makes it easy to participate in charitable work with the click of a mouse, and what better way to take part than by supporting the crucial services we provide to so many in our community. We’re grateful to everyone who makes charity possible.”
Investing in future generations
“We really want to make it possible for any family that is in need to send their kid to Catholic school if they so desire,” said Jay Clark, executive director of Seeds of Hope. “The face of Northern Colorado is changing, which means where people are in need is changing as well.”
Seeds of Hope, which makes Catholic education accessible to needy students, expanded its mission to provide aid to any of the Archdiocese of Denver’s 37 Catholic schools, beyond the nine urban schools previously served. Giving to the organization would provide more children with a quality Catholic education and bright future.
Givers passionate about Catholic education can continue their support by giving to Bishop Machebeuf High School and Holy Family High School. Both archdiocesan schools offer a faith-based environment and rigorous academics that setup youth for success.
Building a community
Centro San Juan Diego, the groundbreaking institute that provides faith formation and education services to enrich the lives of Hispanics in Denver, offers givers a chance to build the community.
The growing number of Hispanic individuals and families in the archdiocese presented a need to empower and support their development into faithful and integrated leaders of the community.
Givers can support the organization’s programs including, citizenship and English classes, tax preparation, small business training, computer classes, Bibles studies, youth faith formation, family ministry, lay pastoral minister certification, online bachelor’s degrees and more.
A gift to Centro is an investment in the community.
Help to accomplish great things across the Archdiocese
If you want to give to the Catholic Church but aren’t exactly sure which ministry or parish your donation will best support, then consider the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. Donations to this appeal make an impact across the Archdiocese of Denver by supporting Catholic schools and students, shelter services, seminaries, religious education, centralized operations and resources, and parishes.
Support priestly formation
The Archdiocese of Denver is blessed to have two well-known seminaries that offer future priests exceptional academic and spiritual formation. Combined, there are 128 seminarians in the St. John Vianney and Redemptoris Mater seminaries. Without the ongoing prayerful and financial support, some priestly vocations might be left without spiritual nourishment and guidance. Your gift will certainly be an encouragement and inspiration for the seminarians and future priests. Donations for the seminaries can be made online at sjvrm.org.
