Lesle Knop, executive director for the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, watches the returns come in live for the #iGiveCatholic fundraiser on Nov. 28. The archdiocese raised more than $300,000 for various projects. LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS
by Moira Cullings
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — When the day was done and the leader boards totaled, Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee celebrated raising over $45,000 — the highest amount of 46 archdiocesan organizations.
But the real winner was All Saints Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, for whom Good Shepherd fundraised every cent.
The 24-hour fundraiser was a campaign called #iGiveCatholic, which took place Nov. 28.
“We’re feeling really excited and overwhelmed by the community’s support,” said Kathryn Robards, communications and administrative assistant for the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK).
“Lesle [Knop] and I had personally set a goal of $100,000, so we shredded that goal,” she said.
The total amount the archdiocese raised was around $322,000.
“I’m stunned,” said Knop, executive director of CFNEK. “I’m absolutely amazed and grateful for the generosity of our people.”
“The support we received really moves my heart,” she added.
This was the first year the archdiocese participated in #iGiveCatholic, an online giving campaign held on “Giving Tuesday” — the day following “Cyber Monday” when people are encouraged to give to a charity of their choice.
Forty-six archdiocesan organizations participated in the #iGiveCatholic campaign, which was sponsored by CFNEK. The archdiocese joined 16 others across the country in the effort.
“The first goal was to create a community of Catholic donors on Giving Tuesday,” said Knop. “I think we succeeded beyond all of our expectations.”
Donors were able to follow two leader boards: one that registered live progress of all diocesan organizations and one that displayed live progress of organizations within individual dioceses.
Not only did the campaign give parishioners of the archdiocese a look at many of the varied outreaches here in our community, but it opened the door to national attention as well, said Robards.
“There was more opportunity for the organizations here in Kansas City to be seen by people all over the nation,” she said.
Participating in a 24-hour fundraiser was much different than an annual appeal, said Knop, and so their target audience was different, too.
“My hope was that we would attract new donors who are not participating in the annual fund, who are not participating in offertory on a regular basis at a parish,” said Knop.
She was especially impressed by organizations like Good Shepherd, whose efforts of raising over $45,000 will help All Saints renovate its parish hall.
“That’s the whole point of Giving Tuesday,” said Knop.
Robards is already looking forward to next year’s campaign.
“I’m already thinking about next year and what we can change, what we can add, what we can do to make it even more successful than it was this year,” said Robards.
“I’m really excited about the success and excited to build on that for next year,” she added.
Wonderful donors to raise the money for their neighbor! Lesle Knop, a friend of mine, is to be congratulated for all of her efforts!