Institute for Catholic Philanthropy

Donor Advised Funds continue to grow in relevance. The Catholic philanthropic community cannot ignore the impact of DAF's. This summary from Candid highlights five key areas of import related to DAF's.?#5, that DAF donors stay loyal to an organization longer than non-DAF donors, is a critical concept. We must be focused on the long-term sustainability of our ministries. https://lnkd.in/eAkCmb-a

The Forbes list ranking the 100 top charities in the shows Catholic Relief Services and the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul as among the largest non-profits. https://lnkd.in/gY8MUn8

Sharia Smith will be a presenter at The Institute for Catholic Philanthropy's Theology of Gift Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2025 at Mary College at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Many describe fundraising as both an art and a science; Smith's talk will focus on the meeting of the two. We will discuss how best to approach major gift conversations in an honest and personal way. The path to partnership comes from understanding donors, well planned strategy, transparent communication, and authentic conversations. Sharia Smith currently serves as the Executive Director of the Kathleen S. Craft Foundation in Tulsa, OK. Prior to this role, Sharia worked in Catholic education advancement both as Assistant Director of Philanthropy for Bishop Kelley High School and most recently with the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma as Director of the Tax Credit School Program, an SGO for the 19 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. With a near decade of development and capital campaign experience, Sharia is grateful to see the application of this knowledge and expertise in her role as a mission and strategy partner with the many Catholic organizations and apostolates served through the Kathleen S. Craft Foundation. Sharia is passionate about service and is an active volunteer in her parish and community, she also gives back as a girls lacrosse?coach. In her?free time, Sharia loves hiking and is working her way through exploring all our nation's national parks.? ? To learn more about the conference or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWvxmruE

Chuck Duginski is making his second appearance at at The Institute for Catholic Philanthropy's Theology of Gift Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2025 at Mary College at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Chuck will discuss the development of a philanthropic mindset in parallel with personal spiritual growth and the ongoing process of conversion.?Over the course of his talk, he will touch upon different modes of giving and corresponding degrees of engagement with charities, successful and unsuccessful approaches, and barriers to increased giving. Chuck Duginski is the Chairman and CEO of Canvas Energy, a private oil and gas producer based in Oklahoma City.?He is currently the vice president of the board of the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma and serves on its Executive Committee.?Chuck has also served in various roles at the archdiocesan and parish levels, with a focus on construction projects and Catholic education.?Chuck and his wife Robyn have raised three adult children and have a grandchild on the way. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWvxmruE

Anthony Vultaggio will be another of the valued speakers at The Institute for Catholic Philanthropy's Theology of Gift Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2025 at Mary College at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. It’s time for charitable professionals to move beyond traditional relationship building and simple cash requests. By earning a seat alongside a donor's financial advisors, we can leverage advanced tools that benefit both the donor and the organization. Attendees will learn strategies to uncover opportunities, particularly before the sale of real estate or other highly appreciated assets, and how to add value to the planning process in ways that maximize donor contributions. Ultimately, these approaches pave the way for securing transformative gifts that can significantly impact both the donor and the mission. Anthony Vultaggio is the Philanthropy Officer for The Orange Catholic Foundation, a published author, and a dynamic speaker. Formerly with Merrill Lynch, he has over 30 years of experience in financial services, wealth management and transfer, and estate and business continuation planning. Anthony’s expertise in leveraging financial strategies to benefit parishes, ministries, and Catholic schools reflects his passion for empowering the Catholic community through sound stewardship. He also hosts a Catholic radio show focused on the writings of Bishop Fulton Sheen. Anthony holds a B.A. in classical philosophy and religious studies, and holds both the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. For the past 20 years, he has chaired the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission for the Diocese of Orange, making him a respected voice in both financial and spiritual arenas. Audiences value his blend of financial acumen and commitment to faith-based service. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWvxmruE

Sarah Sochacki is another dynamic speaker presenting at The Institute for Catholic Philanthropy's Theology of Gift Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2025 at Mary College at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Sarah will focus on the importance of strategic, intentional asks in driving impactful development efforts. Her presentation will explore practical frameworks for identifying prospects, building meaningful donor relationships, and making well-timed, mission-aligned appeals. Attendees will learn how consistent communication, prayerful discernment, and personalized engagement can inspire generosity and long-term donor commitment. The session aims to equip leaders with tools to foster a culture of giving that sustains both spiritual and financial growth. Sarah serves as Managing Director at CCS, bringing over 15 years of experience in philanthropy, with a focus on Catholic fundraising and faith-based initiatives. Sarah has led multi-million-dollar campaigns, strategic planning studies, and development assessments, guiding organizations through transformational giving. She works closely with Catholic schools, dioceses, and faith-based nonprofits to align mission and fundraising goals, emphasizing the importance of meaningful partnerships. ? Sarah frequently presents at industry events, including with the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC), and guest lectures at the University of Mary. A passionate advocate for mission-driven philanthropy, she believes successful fundraising is about more than dollars—it’s about building relationships that inspire lasting impact. ? Sarah lives in Chicago with her husband, daughter, and their rescue dog. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Fundraising Management from Columbia University. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWvxmruE

Nic Prenger is one of the exciting speakers presenting at The Institute for Catholic Philanthropy's Theology of Gift Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2025 at Mary College at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. In this practical, fast-paced session, Nic Prenger will share insights from Prenger Solutions Group's work on behalf of dioceses across the country, focusing on the role of social media in donor acquisition and retention. Nic Prenger founded Prenger Solutions Group in 2018 to help Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools thrive in the world of digital fundraising and communication. ? Today, PSG serves as trusted advisor to more than 120 dioceses, helping them with fundraising, communications, and technology solutions. PSG’s social media management platform is used by more than 1,000 parishes across the United States. ? Nic’s leadership experience includes serving on the national advisory board for the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA),?working for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gWvxmruE

The Institute for Catholic Philanthropy's 2nd Theology of the Gift Conference is taking place February 16-19, 2025 at Mary College at Arizona State University. Early bird pricing of $299 per person is available through October 31, 2024. There's a great line-up of speakers.

Author and speaker Matthew Kelly offers some thoughts about developing a habit of generosity.

Non-profits that ignore Donor Advised Funds are missing a lot, according to a new report from K2D Strategies. According to that report, those who contribute to DAFs nearly double the amount they give to charities annually. At a time when overall charitable giving appears to be declining, DAFs offer a source of growth.