Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	Why are the Catholic Foundation and Parishes conducting the Advancing the Mission Stewardship Campaign together?
A.	The Catholic Foundation and our parishes are conducting a campaign together in order to strengthen the parishes and diocese now and in the future. When parishes are fiscally stable, the ministry of the entire diocese is enhanced. Thus, we are working together to support our needs today and to prepare for future challenges.
Q.	Who is participating in the Advancing the Mission Stewardship Campaign?
A.	All 169 parishes in the Diocese of Green Bay will be involved in the campaign. Each parishioner will be asked to prayerfully consider three years of generous sharing, that is “over and above” their present financial support for the parish and diocese. In addition to parish involvement, businesses and other corporate donors will be solicited on behalf of the diocese.
Q.	Will I still be asked to contribute to the annual Bishop’s Appeal?
A.	The Bishop’s Appeal will be included into the Advancing the Mission campaign for one year; therefore the first dollars raised will fund our Bishop’s Appeal target. The following year we will once again participate in the Bishop’s Appeal as we have in years past. The time frame for this will be explained during the campaign.
Q.	What is the goal of the campaign?
A.	Bishop Zubik has not established a financial goal for the campaign. It is expected that each parish will establish its own financial goal based upon the particular needs of the local parish. These typically will fall in between 1 ½ to 2 ½ times the parish ordinary income to be pledged over a three-year period. The overall goal is for each of us to embrace Stewardship as a Way of Life. The desired outcome is that by embracing the principles of stewardship, each of us will be willing to pray, serve and at a future point, prayerfully consider a generous sacrificial sharing that has a financial outcome.
Q.	How will the funds be used?
A.	After the Bishop’s Appeal has been fulfilled, each individual parish and the diocese will share the proceeds 50/50. Approximately, fifty percent of the funds will benefit Vibrant Parish Ministry (which benefits the local needs of our parish) and the other fifty percent will be placed into separate endowments within the Catholic Foundation for Leadership Development, Evangelization, Life-Long Catechesis and Priestly Retirement Care.
Q.	How are the needs of the parish determined?
A.	The pastor or parish director together with other parish leadership (parish council, finance council, pastoral team, key leaders, and so on) will determine how the parish portion of the funds will be used.
Q.	How can I make a gift?
A.	You can make a gift by prayerfully filling out a commitment card and returning it to the parish on Commitment/Special Event Weekend.
Q.	What is the Catholic Foundation?
A.	The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay was established in 1997. The Foundation benefits the areas of Catholic ministry, service and education throughout Northeastern Wisconsin. The purpose of the Foundation is "to promote the strength, vitality and growth of the Diocese of Green Bay; its parishes; its parishioners; its other entities and its financial support of the broader church and needy persons" (from the Catholic Foundation Articles of Incorporation).
Q.	How did the Catholic Foundation and the Diocese of Green Bay prepare for this Stewardship campaign?
A.	In April of 2005, Bishop Zubik briefed the Presbyteral Council (a Bishop’s advisory group) on the idea of having a diocesan wide stewardship campaign. Following that meeting the Bishop asked key leadership in the Catholic Foundation to adjust and refine the presentation from the feedback received from the Presbyteral Council. In May of 2005, Bishop Zubik presented the stewardship idea to all priests and parish directors throughout the diocese After incorporating their feedback, over 600 lay leaders from across Northeastern Wisconsin were invited to offer feedback on the Advancing the Mission Stewardship Campaign. In September of 2005, the Diocese of Green Bay contracted with a national law firm to do a complete legal review of the Catholic Foundation and all other diocesan corporations. The Catholic Foundation received a very strong rating from the law firm. Three important changes were recommended. The first recommendation was to conduct all diocesan-wide fundraising, including the annual Bishop’s Appeal, and this campaign through the Catholic Foundation. The second was for the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Green Bay to change its name to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay. This subtle change implies the Foundation is separate from the Diocese but supports the ministries of the Diocese of Green Bay. Finally, the Law firm recommended revisions to the wording of the articles of incorporation, by-laws, and endowment decrees. All of these changes have taken place. All of the funds for the diocesan share of the campaign will be placed into separate donor-designated endowment funds. Each fund will have an advisory board. This ensures the money will used for the intended purposes.
Q.	Will my gift be used to pay for legal fees?
A.	No. All gifts received will go for their stated intent – the local parish needs and one of the four endowments.
Q.	If anyone has additional questions, whom should they contact?
A.	All questions regarding the Advancing the Mission campaign should be directed to either your local parish or you may contact the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay at 920-272-8181 or AdvancingtheMission@gbdioc.org.
Q.	How will gifts and pledges to the Advancing the Mission campaign be collected?
A.	Pledge commitments will be handled in the same manner that the Bishop’s Appeal is handled. The Foundation office will receive and acknowledge pledges, send pledge reminders, and provide contribution substantiation at the end of the year for tax purposes.
Q.	Is my contribution tax-deductible?
A.	Yes. All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with federal law. You will receive appropriate substantiation for your contribution. Please consult with your personal tax advisor.