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August 29, 2024By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator
Distributions totaling $800,000 will soon be issued to several diocesan entities.
“This is the largest amount ever distributed in the 22 years since the inception of the Centennial Campaign for Excellence,” noted Jill Maise, diocesan accounting manager.
Maise
According to Maise, distributions from the endowed fund are made annually in the fall. Including this year’s amount, it brings the fund’s total disbursement through the years to more than $9.67 million.Initiated under then Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, the campaign raised funds to support an endowment benefiting four specific areas: Catholic schools (for teacher salaries/benefits as well as the Catholic School Foundation), Catholic Charities, faith formation and multicultural ministries.
Diane Donnelly, director of finance for the Diocese of Sioux City, pointed out the campaign raised nearly $10.4 million in 2002. Donors to the campaign could direct their gift to any of the four areas of need or specify where most needed. If
Donnellydesignating for Catholic schools, the donor could specify a particular school or the foundation. The funds were placed in a permanent endowment. Only earnings from this fund may be distributed.
“Donations from this campaign are invested wisely,” said Maise. “We are fortunate that even with a fluctuating market over the years, we are able to continue to provide increased support across many diocesan entities from the initial contributions.”
Of the $800,000, this year Catholic schools will receive $420,000, faith formation $120,000, Catholic Charities $180,000 and multicultural ministries $80,000.
All diocesan schools will receive a disbursement, noted Maise, based on original donor
designations and full-time teacher equivalency.
Patty Lansink, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, said diocesan schools have been working for a number of years to increase staff and teacher salaries with the help of these funds.
“It’s even more important now that Governor Kim Reynolds has increased minimum salaries for public school teachers,” noted the superintendent. “It has become a moving target, but we will continue to work hard to keep our salaries competitive, especially with the large teacher shortage in Iowa.”
The Catholic Schools Foundation also receives a portion of the distribution. This foundation, explained Lansink, “helps support our Catholic schools in the form of subgrants for various initiatives such as mental health counseling for students through Catholic Charities, support for inclusive education efforts, professional development and faith formation for administrators and teachers, etc.”
According to Amy Bloch, executive director of Catholic Charities, centennial dollars will be used to assist families who access the agency’s sliding fee scale for mental health services.
“Each year Catholic Charities provide over $350,000 in charity care so that anyone who is in need of mental health therapy can receive help,” she said. “Without these funds, we would not be able to provide assistance to those who often need it the most.”
Deacon Mark Prosser, diocesan chief of staff and director of multicultural ministries, said centennial funds will benefit the Welcome program that is a cooperative effort of Catholic Charities, the Diocese of Sioux City and Siouxland Immigration Law Firm.
“It provides both mental health and legal assistance in the realm of immigration law to clients throughout the diocese – some of our most vulnerable and people in need,” he said. “It is a great contribution used wisely through Catholic Charities and that program.”
Bloch noted the program assists men, women and children who are seeking citizenship and renewal of green cards, assisting and bringing hope to many who have experienced significant trauma.
“The Welcome program served over 300 individuals last year because of the multicultural dollars of the diocese,” noted Bloch.
The campaign distributions are expected to go out in early- to mid-September.
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