Support the Church in Northeast Ohio and make a difference with your gift. 
Enrich lives in Northeast Ohio through spiritual, educational, and charitable support. 
We help foster faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all. The 2026 Catholic Charities Appeal has set an ambitious goal to raise $15.3 million to serve families and individuals in need throughout Northeast Ohio. This year’s theme, “Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world,” highlights inspiring stories of those whose lives are blessed through the help of Catholic Charities. Among them are Rosemary, a recent widow who is grateful to receive assistance as well as volunteer for St. Gabriel Parish’s food pantry, and Chrystal, who is grateful for the Help Me Grow weekly home vistitation program for her and her new baby.
Edward C. Malesic, JCL, Bishop of Cleveland, explains the theme comes from a famous poem written in the 16thcentury by Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun, Saint Teresa of Avila. “St. Teresa realized that we are the ones who are the instruments of Jesus’s love in the world. We are the ones who take care of those who are most in need, those who are hungry, those who are strangers. When we become the living presence of Jesus to His people and support our brothers and sisters through Catholic Charities, we all share in God’s peace.” Bishop Malesic also expressed his deep gratitude to donors, priests, and volunteers, saying, “Thank you for offering your hands in service to Christ, by bringing help and hope to people of every race and religion across our diocese.”
Managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, the Catholic Charities Appeal supports Catholic Charities in Northeast Ohio, one of the region’s most significant health and human service providers. Catholic Charities serves 400,000 people annually throughout the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, offering more than 150 critical programs and services across 60 locations. Catholic Charities addresses the region's most pressing social issues by providing food security, safe shelter, job training, mental health counseling, and compassionate care to those in need. The 2025 Catholic Charities Appeal set a new all-time record, raising nearly $15.8 million.
The 2026 Catholic Charities Appeal will be introduced in all 180 parishes of the diocese during the weekend of February 14-15 and will continue through the end of the year. Stories and videos of people whose lives have been transformed through the work of Catholic Charities can be viewed at https://www.catholiccommunity.org/appealvideos. Donors can make donations by texting “CCHope” to “41444”, by visiting www.catholiccommunity.org/Donate or by calling 216-696-6525 x1910.
For more information regarding the programs and services of Catholic Charities, visit www.ccdocle.org.
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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 nearly $750 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic Education, Priestly Formation, and other ministries in the Diocese of Cleveland.
Contact: Lisa King, Catholic Community Foundation
Phone: (216) 696-6525 ext. 1042
Email: lking@catholiccommunity.org