Foundation Offices Sustain Water Damage
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida was not immune to Hurricane Ian impacts. Our offices sustained considerable water damage, but thankfully very little property loss. The result of the water incursion is that we’ve temporarily been relocated. Some foundation team members are elsewhere in the chancery building, others are working remotely from home. We’re grateful to our diocesan partners who have graciously welcomed us to our temporary homes while repairs are underway. The cleanup and restoration will last into the new year when we hope to return. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, we are committed to continuing the work of the foundation as if nothing ever happened.
Ways to Give Smarter At the End of 2022
Article by Russell James, J.D., Ph.D., CFP® 1. Take advantage of inflation. The price of everything seems to be going up! If you own assets that have gone up in value too, this can also increase your capital gains taxes. However, when you donate those appreciated assets instead of cash, you avoid paying those taxes. 2. Make a charitable swap: Give appreciated investments WITHOUT changing your portfolio Donating appreciated assets creates TWO tax benefits. The tax deduction is the same size as a gift of cash. (The asset must have been owned for a year or more.) PLUS, you avoid paying capital gains tax. With a charitable swap, you donate old shares of stock and immediately buy new shares in…
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT : Trinity High School
The Albert V. and Elizabeth B. Colangelo Fine Arts Center will provide a beautiful space for the entire school community to gather for Eucharistic and liturgical celebrations and to experience the exhilaration of live performance and visual arts events. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Albert V. Colangelo who wanted to honor his wife’s memory by making a transformational gift to benefit the community. The Colangelo’s were dedicated members of the Catholic community in Ocala and Mr. Colangelo is excited to join with other donors to realize a dream benefitting the school and community for years to come. “We have been blessed to receive this transformational gift which allows us to move forward with this project. The new performing arts…
Where Two Or More Are Gathered: 2022 Diocese of Orlando Priests’ Convocation
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida had a presence at the convocation, greeting attendees with information about the programs and services provided by the Foundation, and sponsoring one of the dinners. Kimberlee Riley, Foundation President said, “I’m always humbled by the devotion and dedication that our diocesean priests bring to the faithful and our greater community. They not only serve their local parish, they strive to feed the poor, clothe the naked, and serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration through Christ. Being able to walk with them on part of their journey is a tremendous honor.” We can’t thank our diocesan priests enough for the vital work they do within our parishes, schools, and throughout the diocese. Your…
Announcing Our 2022 Fall Event Grant Awards!
Funded by The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida Foundation Endowment, we are honored to announce the following grant awards: Fall Event Sponsorships Bishop Moore Catholic High School – Legacy Gala Blessed Trinity Catholic Church – Story of My Life Production Benefit Catholic Charities of Central Florida/Pathways to Care – Soup Bowl Supper Father Lopez Catholic High School – Boots and Beer Magnify of Central Florida – Harvest Ball Resurrection Catholic School – Home for the Holidays Benefit San Pedro Spiritual Development Center – Family Live Nativity St. Joseph Catholic Church, Palm Bay – A Christmas Carol Production Benefit St. Mary Catholic School – 15th Annual Fall Festival St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School – Crusader Crawl 5K St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic…
Donor Spotlight : Meet Jean Reynolds
Jean Reynolds grew up on Long Island and studied English at St. Joseph’s College for Women in Brooklyn. In 1973 she moved to Manhattan with her husband, and although they loved city life, they were not fond of the cold winters, so they made their way down to Central Florida. Jean pursued her love for English and obtained her doctorate from the University of South Florida in 1988. She was a professor of English at Polk State College and also spent time teaching at a police academy and a prison school. Bernard Shaw, author of Pygmalion, inspired Jean’s passion in writing, and she went on to publish twobooks about him in addition to many articles and reviews. She is an…
Industry Spotlight : Inflation and Nonprofits
Wages are on the increase, which is good news. But that also puts nonprofits at a disadvantage, for every dollar allotted for salaries means a dollar less for services rendered. Inflation can be a threat to overall charitable giving as well. While a newsworthy megagift may inspire others to give, large donations such as these account for only about 5% of overall giving. The result of this can be that nonprofits experience higher expenses while also experiencing smaller donations. Some nonprofits fear they won’t be able to achieve their operational budgets. Our churches, Catholic schools and Catholic organizations are nonprofits and experience the same challenges as other nonprofits do. All organizations must have overhead. Finding the right balance is key…
Welcoming Extern Deacons
These orientations coordinated by The Office of the Permanent Diaconate will be done a couple times a year and assist our new deacons in learning about the resources available to every parish and ministry. The Office of the Permanent Diaconate is a diocesan office of the Bishop committed to serving the diverse needs of the diocese, local parishes and their surrounding communities. The primary purpose of this office is to provide support to the deacons’ ministerial life and the proper formation of permanent deacons. Extern deacons are ordained in another diocese and have relocated (permanently or seasonally) to the Diocese of Orlando and have requested and been granted faculties to exercise their diaconal ministry here. We are grateful for all…
Industry Giving Trends
Industry Trend Spotlight: Giving in Florida The Catholic Foundation is a member of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance which has published an informational report on the generosity of Floridians. Key Findings in this report include: Most Floridians give to charities. Almost 7 out of 10 households in Florida made charitable donations in 2021. Of those donors, 74% gave the majority of their donated funds to organizations based in Florida. Many Floridians volunteer. Over half of households reported volunteering in 2021. Volunteering was more common among younger Floridians and high-net-worth households. Nearly all Floridians help others directly. 87% of Florida households reported participating in informal philanthropy. Over half of all respondents reported giving directly to people in need who they know personally…
Offertory Programs
Ministry Spotlight: Offertory Programs One of the services The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida offers parishes in our diocese is a custom offertory program. Our community services team engages with and supports clergy and administrators developing initiatives to support the needs of their parish community. This Fall, we’re excited to work with these and other parishes to achieve their immediate and long-term goals: Blessed Sacrament, Clermont Divine Mercy, Merritt Island Holy Cross, Orlando Prince of Peace, Ormond Beach St. Clare, Deltona St. Isaac Jogues, Orlando St. Joseph, Orlando St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Cloud Santo Toribio Romo Mission, Mascotte The Foundation’s offertory programs are focused on deepening parishioner faith and stewardship. Offertory initiatives are a free service for parishes, giving them…