Faces of Philanthropy: Nia Herald 

Nia Herald 

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church  

Chief Financial Officer 

WPGC Member 

St. Katharine Drexel Society Member 

Working at the Foundation has provided a new and unique outlook to the typical financial grind.  Getting to work alongside such passionate, caring, and talented individuals has brought an unexpected delight and satisfaction to the position.  We take our mission seriously to prudently steward, manage, and invest the incredible financial generosity provided by our donors, parishes, schools, and ministries.  It is an honor to ensure that generosity maximizes its value to support the appropriate causes in the intended manner.  

Fate brought me here, and it should be the other way around, but the work we do and the work we see being done has renewed my faith in humanity, in kindness, in love, and selflessness.  It has shown me time and again to trust and believe in God’s plan and to allow ourselves to be used to the best of our abilities towards executing that plan. 

  
Faces of Philanthropy Q & A with Nia Herald:  

Q: Is there a program or initiative that’s especially meaningful to you? 

A: Giving comes in many forms, and I enjoy giving my time and expertise as much as my dollars to the causes that hit home.  When looking to invest dollars though I need to not just believe in the cause, but the people in charge of executing that cause so that the value provided has meaningful impact.  My eyes were opened with the Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle to the many local needs and the dedicated people championing those causes.  Utilizing the vetting expertise of the members and the pooled resources of the circle provides greater assurances and impact for our dollars invested. 

Q: What’s a cause or area of the Foundation’s work that’s especially close to your heart? 

A: I love what we do every day, every dollar processed through our team has direct and meaningful impact on the people in our community.  But what I love most is feeling the joy and passion from our donors when you talk to them knowing they believe in their mission, and they are actively participating in achieving a desired result.  Our donors don’t give because they have to, they give because they want to and that basic difference is everything. 

Q: If you could tell donors one thing, what would it be? 

A: Philanthropy is deeply personal, lean into that and spend time discerning what you are most passionate about.  Then get educated about how best you can achieve supporting that mission.  The emotional satisfaction gained from that insightful honesty will inspire you to seek impactful giving of any and all resources – time, talent, and treasure.  

Q: Who inspired your values around charity? 

A: Classic, but my Mum.  She led by example to be kind and generous to those less fortunate.  And no matter where you fall on the financial, physical, or emotional scale there will always be someone less fortunate, and you should choose to lead first with compassion and love.   Growing up we watched her selflessly give her time using her child development background to tutor the “problem” children in the neighborhood meeting them with endless patience and understanding.  She showed us it is a choice you make and when you choose to make it the rewards for everyone can be exceptional. 

Click here to learn more about the Catholic Foundation Team.