Giving Tuesday a major vehicle for DOT Catholic school support
December 6, 2023 at 10:07 a.m.
For the sixth year running, multiple Diocese of Trenton Catholic grammar schools banded together for Giving Tuesday Nov. 28, encouraging supporters to donate and continue the mission of Catholic education.
Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday began simply as an idea, encouraging people to give to what they love on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It is now a year-round, global phenomenon, comprising numerous nonprofits and millions of donors.
At the local level, the campaign is part of the Diocese’s “Catholic Schools Have It All” initiative and is sponsored by the diocesan Departments of Development and Catholic Schools. As of publication, Giving Tuesday saw more than $56,000 raised in 24 hours.
Diocesan Chancery staff participate in the building’s Giving Tuesday observance. Rose O’Connor photo
In the Chancery, members of the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools gathered Nov. 28 to watch donations tally live on LeadInFaith.org. A promotional video on the site features Catholic school students explaining what their education means to them; additionally, Christine Prete, director of development operations for the Diocese, speaks about her personal experience as a graduate of Catholic elementary and high schools.
“I continue to embrace the teachings of my Catholic education every day of my life,” Prete said, “and I’m so thankful to my parents for providing me with a faith-based education. The Catholic Schools Have It All annual campaign focuses on engaging all our communities to better understand and support Catholic education in the Diocese of Trenton.”
The program will continue throughout the academic year until July 2024, giving patrons the opportunity to ask employers and others to match their contributions.
School principals wrote letters to accompany a direct mail campaign in early November, reaching out to past supporters, parents, alumni and parishioners in hopes of a generous response. Materials provided by the Diocese included Giving Tuesday stickers for each student, with spaces available for them to record good deeds they would do for their part. Meanwhile, online donors were encouraged to offer their time volunteering or to post a prayer as part of their contribution.
Several schools have moved to running their own annual campaigns independent of the diocesan program, which Prete acknowledged is part of the advancement goal for each school.
“It is a privilege to partner with our grammar schools regarding their advancement efforts when needed,” she said. “We are currently helping 15 of our grammar schools with all administrative efforts, which can be costly and time-consuming when run in-house.”
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For the sixth year running, multiple Diocese of Trenton Catholic grammar schools banded together for Giving Tuesday Nov. 28, encouraging supporters to donate and continue the mission of Catholic education.
Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday began simply as an idea, encouraging people to give to what they love on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It is now a year-round, global phenomenon, comprising numerous nonprofits and millions of donors.
At the local level, the campaign is part of the Diocese’s “Catholic Schools Have It All” initiative and is sponsored by the diocesan Departments of Development and Catholic Schools. As of publication, Giving Tuesday saw more than $56,000 raised in 24 hours.
Diocesan Chancery staff participate in the building’s Giving Tuesday observance. Rose O’Connor photo
In the Chancery, members of the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools gathered Nov. 28 to watch donations tally live on LeadInFaith.org. A promotional video on the site features Catholic school students explaining what their education means to them; additionally, Christine Prete, director of development operations for the Diocese, speaks about her personal experience as a graduate of Catholic elementary and high schools.
“I continue to embrace the teachings of my Catholic education every day of my life,” Prete said, “and I’m so thankful to my parents for providing me with a faith-based education. The Catholic Schools Have It All annual campaign focuses on engaging all our communities to better understand and support Catholic education in the Diocese of Trenton.”
The program will continue throughout the academic year until July 2024, giving patrons the opportunity to ask employers and others to match their contributions.
School principals wrote letters to accompany a direct mail campaign in early November, reaching out to past supporters, parents, alumni and parishioners in hopes of a generous response. Materials provided by the Diocese included Giving Tuesday stickers for each student, with spaces available for them to record good deeds they would do for their part. Meanwhile, online donors were encouraged to offer their time volunteering or to post a prayer as part of their contribution.
Several schools have moved to running their own annual campaigns independent of the diocesan program, which Prete acknowledged is part of the advancement goal for each school.
“It is a privilege to partner with our grammar schools regarding their advancement efforts when needed,” she said. “We are currently helping 15 of our grammar schools with all administrative efforts, which can be costly and time-consuming when run in-house.”