Father Thomas Bortz, pastor of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Reading, Pennsylvania, is an avid baseball fan, having visited several major and minor leagues parks across the country. Fr. Bortz just has to walk out the back door of the rectory and be reminded of the challenge facing his parish’s regional Catholic school. In what amounts to a long outfield-to-home-plate throw away, sits a local public elementary school. While Father…
Read More
Seasoned fundraising professional joins Catholic Foundation team as a Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania welcomes Ann Marie Surovy as a Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer. In this role Ann Marie is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift and planned giving donors and prospects with the goal of establishing or increasing endowment funds for Catholic Foundation partners. Ann Marie has…
Read More
Sister Marian Sgriccia, Provincial Minister for the School Sisters of Saint Francis, recognizes that the road ahead for Catholic ministries is uncertain. So, to make sure they are not walking that road alone, Sister Marian and her fellow Sisters partnered with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania and established two new funds to help secure the future of their ministries and strengthen relationships with their supporters. “Through our partnership with…
Read More
At the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania, we believe in planning not just for the present, but for eternity. Estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways Catholics can express their love for family, faith, and the causes that have shaped their lives. And yet, for many, it is a conversation they avoid out of fear of confronting uncomfortable topics like death, legal documents or thinking “I don’t…
Read More
The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania reported a record level of distributions — $979,207 — from endowed funds that support Catholic causes throughout the Diocese of Allentown. Since 2016, the Catholic Foundation has reported a total of $5,987,684 in distributions from both endowment and donor designated funds. “The distribution process is doing what it is set up to do: provide funds to various Catholic organizations when they need it,” Pete…
Read More
We are already two weeks into the sacred season of Lent. Easter is one month away. At the Catholic Foundation, we pray this time continues to be one of reflection, prayer, and peace for you and your loved ones. It is no coincidence that our preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection corresponds with the first sounds and smells of spring bringing new life to the world. Like His creation,…
Read More
We are in the thick of tax season, with the April 15th deadline right around the corner! When you meet with your tax and investment advisors to review the past year and prepare for your financial future, it is an excellent time to discuss the strategic tools that can optimize your tax benefits while supporting Catholic causes that matter most to you. By considering charitable giving options such as a…
Read More
Despite the restless market conditions, many Catholic causes that have endowment funds managed by the Catholic Foundation have benefited from donors’ generosity and investment savvy. Donors holding onto appreciated investments took advantage of tax savings by donating it to the endowment fund of their favorite Catholic cause. A sampling of endowment funds receiving appreciated tax benefiting gifts include the: Robert & Cynthia O’Hara Family Fund John Paul II Café Endowment Fund George…
Read More
For more than a century, St. Anne School has been a beacon of faith-based education, nurturing young minds and hearts in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. “Rooted in Catholic tradition, we strive to prepare students for a future of academic success, moral responsibility, and compassionate leadership,” said Rev. Anthony Mongiello, Pastor of St. Anne Parish. “However, maintaining our mission requires more than dedication and hard work — it also demands financial sustainability.” Thankfully,…
Read More
Fifty years ago, ABBA’s new single, Take a Chance on Me, soared to #1 on the UK charts. It may seem an unorthodox connection, but the song’s message resonates with the work of the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. Over the years, 115 partners and hundreds of donors have taken a chance on us, placing their trust in the power of endowment funds to sustain their beloved Catholic causes. Parishes,…
Read More