My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
May the Peace of Christ be with you! Today, I share with you some important news. After consultation with key leadership of the Diocese of Orlando and The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, Inc., plans are underway to analyze and evaluate the current components of our collaborative efforts toward fundraising and stewardship.
Since its founding in 2008, the Foundation has managed Community Services to include Our Catholic Appeal, Capital Campaigns and Offertory Enhancement. The Foundation also oversees Investment & Asset Management and Donor Services including Planned Giving. We are pleased at the tremendous growth and achievements of the Foundation, which continues to support our parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries.
As a result of this growth, we believe that the time is now right to revise our current structure to improve our collaborative efforts in meeting the development needs of our Diocese. Specifically, effective July 1, 2024, the Foundation Community Services will be formed into the Discipleship & Stewardship Office within the Chancery Financial Services Secretariat, while Investment & Asset Management and Donor Services will remain with the Foundation. These changes will enable the Foundation to stay focused on the community foundation purpose of prudently investing the resources entrusted to it and supporting donors with establishing their Catholic legacy. No financial assets will be transferred from the Foundation to the Diocese in this reorganization.
To foster a smooth transition, we have engaged a third-party consultant, VeraCruz Advisory, LLC, a seasoned consultancy that partners with dioceses and other Catholic institutions and non-profits across the country. It is important to note that our Foundation employees are considered incredibly valuable resources, and we don’t anticipate any loss of employment because of the transition. In fact, business will continue as usual for all employees. A working group comprised of Foundation, Finance and other team members will be formed to ensure the transfer of functions is done in an effective and efficient manner over the coming months.
As we move through these changes, we will provide updates on our progress. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work towards our mutual goals.
May God’s peace be with you always.
In Christ’s love,
Most Reverend John Noonan
Bishop of Orlando