Catholic Community Foundation’s #weGIVECATHOLIC raises record $3.4 million

Catholic Community Foundation’s #weGIVECATHOLIC raises record $3.4 million on Giving Tuesday

235 organizations participated; 11,056 donors provided charitable gifts

Cleveland, Ohio – November 29, 2023 – On Giving Tuesday, the Diocese of Cleveland rallied to support #weGIVECATHOLIC, Northeast Ohio’s online day of giving to Catholic organizations. During the event, $3.4 million was raised for participating Catholic organizations that serve people of all faiths, races, and backgrounds throughout Northeast Ohio. The total raised represents a 7% increase over 2022, and is the most raised in the event’s eight-year history.

“Yesterday, the faithful of this diocese came together, and through their generosity, showed great compassion for the charitable, educational and spiritual mission of their organizations,” said the Most Rev. Edward Malesic, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. “I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s #weGIVECATHOLIC effort. May God bless you all for supporting the great Catholic organizations serving our Northeast Ohio community.”

Of the 235 organizations participating in #weGIVECATHOLIC, 19 participants raised more than $50,000; five organizations raised more than $100,000. Assumption Church & SATG at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights topped the leaderboard by raising $425,921.

New this year, early gifts were accepted from Nov. 19-28. Then, throughout the day on Nov. 28, ministries, organizations, schools, and parishes took to social media to raise awareness, encourage participation, report on progress, and share video messages that spoke to the importance of their ministries.

“The great success of the 2023 #weGIVECATHOLIC event highlights the incredible spirit of philanthropy that exists within the Diocese of Cleveland,” said Patrick Grace, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation. “Heartfelt thanks go out to each of the 11,056 donors and devoted volunteers, pastoral leaders, and staff of non-profits, ministries, schools, Catholic Charities, and parishes -- all of whom spent a great deal of time planning to raise awareness and funds that culminated in this extraordinary day. We feel immense gratitude for our benefactors and the gifts they have shared with Northeast Ohio,” says Grace.

Throughout the day, participating organizations engaged in a “friendly” competition to gain the most supporters and win awards from a $65,000 prize pool raised in advance by the Catholic Community Foundation and generous donors. In addition, two matching gifts were presented by the Catholic Community Foundation: a $25,000 match sponsored by Boyd Watterson and an anonymous donor, and a $100,000 diocesan tuition assistance match; donations fully matched both during specific times throughout the day. The 2023 #weGIVECATHOLIC sponsors included:

• An Anonymous Donor
• Dustin Applegate and Chris Hardesty
• Richard Beckwith
• Roger Bobowicz
• Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC
• Kathleen and John Castrataro
• The Heart of Richard Foundation
• Phil and Connie Kramer Charitable Fund
• Lamar Advertising
• John and Mary Leonbruno
• Chet Madej
• Mr. and Mrs. James Mason
• Diane Oster
• Rev. Louis A. Pizmoht
• Karen and Andy Rebholz
• James F. Sweeney
• Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union

The Catholic Community Foundation and Diocese of Cleveland invite Northeast Ohio to save the date for next year’s #weGiveCatholic: Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

About The Catholic Community Foundation

The Catholic Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching lives by encouraging faithful philanthropy. The Foundation supports the mission of the Diocese of Cleveland to provide for the spiritual, educational, and charitable needs of people throughout Northeast Ohio. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has raised more than $465 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic Education, Priestly Formation, and other ministries in the Diocese of Cleveland.

About the Diocese of Cleveland

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was founded on April 23, 1847. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, it is the twenty-third largest diocese in the United States. The diocese encompasses the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Wayne, and Ashland. There are more than 692,000 Catholics in the diocese, and Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the world. There are 186 parishes, 108 Catholic schools, one pastoral center, and one mission office within the diocese. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is located in downtown Cleveland.

Contact: Lisa King, Catholic Community Foundation
Phone: (216) 696-6525 ext. 1042
Email: lking@catholiccommunity.org