Embodying St. Thérèse’s Legacy Through Our Vivos Christi Society
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, resonates with many because of her simple approach to faith. Her “Little Way” involved performing small acts with great love and trust in God. As we celebrated St. Thérèse’s Feast Day this October, it is an opportune time to reflect on her profound spiritual insights and how they align with the mission of our Vivos Christi Society. The Vivos Christi Society is an esteemed group within the Catholic Foundation of Central Florida that honors those who have made charitable gifts in their estate plans to support the Central Florida Catholic parish, school, or ministry on their heart. This act of giving ensures that the good work and mission of the…
Marta Sweeney Recognized for Years of Service at the ICSC Board
Marta Sweeney, VP Chief Community Services Officer at the Catholic Foundation, was recently honored at the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) Conference. Marta, who has attended the ICSC conference since 2000, marked her 24th attendance with a special recognition for her many years of service and contributions to the ICSC. She has been an active board member for six years, dedicating three of those years as the Board Secretary. Marta shared, “By far, the greatest gift I have received from my relationship with ICSC is the many friends I have made around the country. I have learned much from these relationships, and I credit my success in this industry to those colleagues who have worked so closely with me…
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida Announces Appointment of Interim CEO
The Board of Directors of the Catholic Foundation of Central Florida has appointed Madelyn Weed, CFRE, CAP® as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Madelyn joined the Foundation in October 2019, bringing a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, and will oversee the continued growth and success of the Foundation during this transitional period. In her role as Vice President, Chief Donor Services Office for the Foundation, Madelyn has been instrumental in expanding the Foundation’s donor cultivation and stewardship programs, including the launch of the Planned Giving Advisory Council and the Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle. The Board is confident that she will provide strong, strategic leadership in continuing the Foundation’s mission of inspiring giving, and funding God’s work in our…
Celebrating Stewardship at the 2024 ICSC Conference
This past month, members of the Diocese of Orlando and The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida (CFOCF) gathered in New Orleans to participate in the 2024 International Catholic stewardship council (ICSC) National Conference, perfectly themed “Called to be Saints.” This event brought together members of various dioceses across the U.S. to explore the spirit of stewardship in the Catholic Church. The conference offers the opportunity to engage in educational sessions and share insights with peers from across the nation to further enrich our understanding and commitment to our mission. The sessions were filled with inspiring talks that motivated us to think creatively about stewardship. One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference is the opportunity to form new friendships….
CFOCF Honored Six Awards for Stewardship at ICSC Conference
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida is blessed to have received a record-breaking six prestigious awards at this year’s International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) conference. The ICSC conference is an annual gathering of faith-based organizations. It features 80 sessions covering various topics, during which participants have the opportunity to exchange innovative practices, discuss the role of stewardship in our faith, and gain insights from fellow leaders in the field. Our team was recognized in six categories for our stewardship efforts this past year; the most any organization has received in a single conference. Awards for Excellence: Honorable Mentions: Thank you to our team for the hard work that went into receiving these awards. These recognitions are a testament to our efforts…
CFOCF Sponsors Harvest Ball 2024
Photo credit to: Magnify of Central Florida, Harvest Ball The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida is blessed to be a Pumpkin Sponsor of this year’s Harvest Ball, hosted by Magnify of Central Florida. Since its establishment in 2004, the Harvest Ball has played a pivotal role in funding Magnify’s services. Their mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently. Attendees of the Harvest Ball contribute significantly to this cause through sponsorships and participation in silent auctions, directly impacting the lives of those in the Central Florida community. Every year, Magnify presents an honoree with the Lifetime Legacy Award, an award bestowed to individuals who have left an indelible mark on their community. Our very own Bishop…
WPGC Pitch Party 2024
The Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle (WPGC) narrowed down their choices for the 2024 grant cycle to six local nonprofit organizations. A representative from each organization presented their proposal projects to the WPGC. Congratulations to this year’s finalists: The WPGC now has to vote on who and how much each organization gets. Click here to learn more about the WPGC and stay up to date on their voting process.
CFOCF Sponsors the 2024 Priest Convocation
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida (CFOCF) had the honor of sponsoring this year’s Priest Convocation. This gathering unites priests from across the Diocese for a time of ongoing formation, education, and well-deserved relaxation. CFOCF enhanced the experience by offering priests fun gifts such as umbrellas, mousepads, and cardholders. While CFOCF has a wealth of resources for families looking to protect their Catholic legacy, a lot of that information is not applicable to a Priest. Recognizing the specific needs of the clergy, CFOCF distributed tailor-made editions of the “Planning Your Catholic Legacy” Wills Guide. With these resources, our priests can start to prepare for the unexpected with a little guidance from CFOCF. We are blessed to have been…
Life Insurance Month
Since the establishment of Life Insurance Month in 2004, September has become a key time in highlighting the importance of life insurance and how it can provide financial stability to your family in unexpected circumstances. Proper planning enables you to choose the right policy for your financial goals and family needs. Investing in life insurance when you are young and healthy is the most cost effective option, as it provides affordable coverage with extensive benefits. If you already have life insurance, it is important to do a yearly review of your policy. Financial needs change over time as big life events happen, such as marriage or the birth of a child. A yearly review ensures that policy is still right…
Market Highlights from Our Trusted Partner The Concord Advisory Group, Ltd.
The Foundation utilizes Concord Advisory Group as our trusted partner for investment management services. The Foundation’s investment programs serve our partner organizations to provide annual income and financial wellness and individual donors to meet their philanthropic aspirations and legacy goals. Concord is an Investment Advisory Group focused on faith-based nonprofit services. It providing strategic advice to staff, our Investment Committee, and our Board of Directors to improve the performance of our investment services. The Foundation’s investment services include endowment funds, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), and reserve funds, each with their own targeted performance strategy. Concord has more than thirty years of experience assisting their partners in managing the balance between spending policy and corpus growth while navigating the challenging factors…