by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For the first time ever, the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) is offering online giving as an option for its wide variety of funds.
The simple digital process will allow Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to make a difference for a cause they care about from the comfort of their own home.
It will also help archdiocesan parishes, schools, cemeteries and ministries that have funds through CFNEK to grow and market those funds.
“Part of the mission statement of the Catholic Foundation is to collaborate with parishes and institutions to help develop additional resources and support,” said Jane Schmitt, marketing coordinator for CFNEK.
“This was a great opportunity for the Catholic Foundation to provide this resource to . . . ensure the vitality of the church and its ministry,” she added.
The online giving platform — givecentral.org/cfnek — is desktop and mobile friendly, and one-time, monthly, quarterly and annual payment frequencies are available. Gifts can be made using a bank account, credit card or debit card.
Robert Venable, controller for CFNEK, said the foundation utilized GiveCentral for its GivingTuesday fundraising campaign last year and had a positive experience.
He also stressed how safe the website is for donors.
“GiveCentral uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption, the industry standard in online payments,” said Venable.
“SSL ensures that your credit card or checking account number is stored securely with First American Bank,” he continued. “Once your payment method is saved online, only GiveCentral and your chosen organization can see the last four digits of these numbers.”
Schmitt said CFNEK’s goal is to help parishes, schools and organizations market their endowments and reach parishioners who were previously unaware of their existence.
Although the online giving option is designed to make giving easier and more accessible, sending gifts by mail is still welcome and encouraged, said Schmitt.
Bill Maloney, executive director of CFNEK, is eager to provide donors with an easier way to contribute to the archdiocesan mission.
“It will certainly build awareness that these endowments and scholarship funds exist,” he said. “And not only exist but are open to receiving gifts from parishioners.
“It may even spark the idea for a new fund to be created.”
He hopes parishes, schools and ministries will take advantage of the portal.
“Our mission at the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas states that we will collaborate with parishes and institutions to develop additional resources and support. This giving portal is a tool for those organizations to do just that.”
To learn more about the online giving option or about CFNEK, send an email to Jane Schmitt at: jschmitt@archkck.org or call (913) 647-3060.
