Ten Tips for Year-End Giving
Thank you for partnering with us to make a positive impact in Central Florida! As the community foundation for Catholic donors, we are blessed to help individuals and organizations engage in philanthropy in a faith-filled way through socially screened investment options and tax-advantaged charitable tools. Our donors’ generosity provides parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries the ability to offer faith-formation experiences for children and adults and necessary renovations and expansions of churches and community centers. Additionally, these charitable resources foster Catholic School education, prepare seminarians for the priesthood, care for retired priests and support nonprofit organizations aligned with Catholic social values in providing healthcare, housing, and food assistance in the nine counties of the Diocese of Orlando. The Catholic Foundation of Central…
President’s Letter
Gratitude and charity toward others are hallmarks of our Catholic tradition.
Cristo Rey High School Groundbreaking
Several of our staff team members attended Cristo Rey Orlando’s historic groundbreaking. Cristo Rey is a network of Catholic, college, and career-preparatory schools that exclusively serve low-income students through a Corporate Work Study Program. Their unique approach to education allows students to receive a quality education and gain valuable work experience. Bishop Noonan, who said yes to Cristo Rey coming into the Diocese of Orlando, opened the groundbreaking with prayer and remarks. The founding Board of Directors of Cristo Rey Orlando was introduced, several of whom are current or former Board Members of The Catholic Foundation including William Orosz, Andrew Orosz, Orlando Evora and Tom Chandler. Cristo Rey Orlando plans to open their doors to the founding first-year class in…
National Philanthropy Day 2023
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida was honored to be the Welcome Sponsor at Central Florida’s 2023 National Philanthropy Day. This celebration recognizes the profound impact philanthropy has on our community. The event took place at Rosen Shingle Creek and was hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Our local heroes are recognized at National Philanthropy Day for their compassion and selflessness. The program honors individuals, corporations, foundations, civic and service groups, and nonprofit organizations in Central Florida whose efforts change the face of our community. The Catholic Foundation welcomed attendees and award recipients sharing faith-filled fundraising books and resources including our Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle, Donor Advised and other funds we manage. Our President and CEO earned recognition last…
Bishop Moore Catholic High School 2023 Legacy Gala
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida was honored to be a sponsor for Bishop Moore Catholic (BMC) High School’s 2023 Legacy Gala. Named after our first bishop in Florida BMC has a rich legacy of faith from its founding in 1954 and has endeavored to serve the families of our community with excellence and compassion. The Legacy Gala is an annual event that celebrates the legacy of BMC’s mission while honoring individuals who have established a legacy of service and philanthropy for our community and BMC over the years. The leadership of these individuals has helped achieve Catholic education excellence and ensure its future in Central Florida. This year Mrs. Ann Polasek and Father Leo Hodges were honored. Legacy Gala…
Matthew 25 Fund
Immediately following the pandemic The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida established the Matthew 25 Fund to address increased need in our communities. Donations to this fund benefit the ministries of Catholic Charities of Central Florida, providing aid to the indigent, homeless, hungry, jobless, sick, and dying in our community. This a Gospel mission laid out explicitly in Matthew 25: 35-36. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” The Catholic Foundation has made distributions totaling over $35,000 in support of Catholic Charities of Central Florida as its team…
Sister Diocese Collection
We are called to return our blessing to God and your generosity impacts lives. We are a global family, and when the one body of Christ is injured by sickness, poverty and injustice, we must act together to heal the wounds. In the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, located in the Dominican Republic, our Mission Office has built a sister relationship based on love, faith, trust, hope, and respect. Here in this deeply impoverished region, staff and volunteers work alongside local families to meet educational, medical and spiritual needs that might otherwise have gone unfulfilled. Your gift supports the people of the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana. They are able to benefit from water filtration systems,…
ICSC Conference
The ICSC faith family traveled from different countries to gather in Orlando to reflect and learn more about how we can be good stewards of God’s blessings. The theme this year, Responding with Grateful Hearts, rang true in the hearts of those who gathered for networking and educational opportunities. International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) – Responding with Grateful Hearts Our own diocesan faith family had 98 of the more than 700 attendees. Ten of the Orlando-area attendees were grant recipients from The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida (Foundation). Each year the Foundation, through funding from its endowment, provides grants for clergy, parish staff and lay leaders to participate in the ICSC conference. Applications are received and a committee selects awardees…
St. Joseph 125th Gala
Funded by The Catholic Foundation Endowment, we were blessed to provide an event sponsorship grant to support St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lakeland’s 125th Anniversary Gala at Lake Mirror Auditorium on October 6, 2023. All funds raised from the event will support the cost of the recent renovation to their historic church. The parish is also currently home to the first Multi-Ministry Service Center; a strategic partnership with Catholic Charities to provide outreach services to those in the Downtown Lakeland community. The Catholic Foundation’s event sponsorship grants support diocesan organizations as they spread the good news of their ministry, strengthen donor relationships and raise funds to continue their impactful work.
Soup Bowl Supper
St. Mary Magdalen’s Parish Life Center Soup Bowl Supper Funded by The Catholic Foundation Endowment, we were blessed to provide an event sponsorship grant to support Catholic Charities’ Soup Bowl Supper held at St. Mary Magdalen’s Parish Life Center on September 20, 2023. The event raised funds to care for homeless men and women, many of whom are veterans, as they recuperate from an injury or illness at Pathways to Care. The Catholic Foundation’s event sponsorship grants support diocesan organizations as they spread the good news of their ministry, strengthen donor relationships and raise funds to continue their impactful work.