by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Catholic donors in the archdiocese can expect a phone call and email from the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development regarding a change in database systems.
“We’re calling every donor who had generously set up a pledge or recurring gift because we will need to re-establish their gift in the new system,” said Lisa McKelvey, archdiocesan director of stewardship and development.
“And then, if we get a voicemail, we’re following up with an email either from myself or from Deacon Tom (Greer, annual giving manager),” she added.
Those who receive a call or email from the stewardship and development office regarding this matter can rest assured it’s not a scam.
In 2023, the stewardship and development team evaluated its database system to look for ways to make it more user-friendly for donors and office staff, as well as more cost effective, said McKelvey.
“They selected a system that they believed would take care of all that,” she continued, “and ultimately it was not able to provide both us here at the archdiocese and our donors with the experience that we needed.”
One of the biggest issues was that donors had to update their payment information online themselves without being able to receive help from the stewardship and development office.
By last year, the office realized the system wasn’t able to meet its needs and the needs of its donors.
After another evaluation, it was clear they needed to go back to the system utilized previously.
“If someone has a pledge or recurring gift automatically being deducted from their bank account or charged to their credit card, those donors are who we need to reach so we can help them resetup their gift,” said McKelvey.
Those individuals are asked to call and update their payment information with the stewardship and development office.
Another difference with the original system, which is up and running again, is that it doesn’t offer a donor portal.
“That’s something we hope to be able to offer again,” said McKelvey, “but for the time being, if somebody needs to edit something, then they can just call or email us.”
The silver lining of the change in systems has been that through this process, the stewardship and development office has been able to clean up and update donor information.
But McKelvey emphasized that the office recognizes the inconvenience, and she assures donors that they are the priority.
“We do apologize for delays and confusion as we make these calls to reinstate these generous gifts that are supporting the ministries throughout the archdiocese,” she said.
The stewardship and development office can be reached online at: stewdev@archkck.org, and Lisa McKelvey’s direct line is (913) 647-3071.
