Called to Flourish is a comprehensive campaign across the Diocese of Cleveland seeking to raise $200 million+ in gifts and pledges to strengthen parishes, care for our priests and lay leaders, inspire Catholic students and young adults, and serve our neighbors.

Bishop Malesic’s pastoral letter, A Flourishing Apostolic Church, calls every Catholic in the Diocese of Cleveland into deeper faith through daily prayer, active participation in the sacraments, and authentic Christian community. Bishop Malesic invites us to rediscover the heart of our faith and to go forth as missionary disciples who worship boldly, share their faith, and serve others.

Click here to read Bishop Malesic's pastoral letter.

The Diocese of Cleveland stands at a pivotal moment in its history. As we experience a generational shift in our Church, we are called to engage the generosity of the faithful — young and old, lifelong parishioners and new families alike. Called to Flourish: Our Church for the Future is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to Christ’s mission to “go and make disciples” (Mt 28:19), ensuring that our parishes, schools, and ministries remain vibrant centers of faith. Now is the time to plant seeds that will allow our Church to flourish well into the future.

All parishes in the Diocese will participate in this campaign. Each parish will participate in one of five waves starting in January 2026 through June 2028.

Called to Flourish: Our Church for the Future builds upon and sustains the impact of previous diocesan initiatives, Heart of a Shepherd and Rooted in Faith – Forward in Hope. Past campaigns supported essential capital improvements to the seminary, fully funded the Priest Retirement Fund, provided vital tuition assistance for Catholic schools, and laid the groundwork for the high-quality formation opportunities that exist across our seminaries and schools today.

This campaign continues this vital progress by ensuring that the Diocese can support ongoing education and formation for pastoral leaders. It also strengthens the development of lay leaders to ensure that pastors are well supported in their local ministry, and it leverages opportunities within the current educational environment to support our teachers, school leaders, students, and facilities.

Parish offertory is expected to remain steady throughout the five-year pledge period, as parishioners are invited to make campaign commitments above and beyond their regular giving. In many dioceses, similar campaigns have even led to increases in offertory, as parishioners deepen their understanding of stewardship and renew their commitment to supporting the life and mission of the Church.

Yes, the appeal will continue to be conducted annually. The annual Catholic Charities Appeal helps fund operating expenses and ongoing ministries of Catholic Charities, while Called to Flourish will meet extraordinary, long-term needs of the Diocese. While the campaign is running, there will be no annual goal increase for parishes.

Parish goals are established at 140% of the parish’s average offertory income over the past three years. This approach is consistent with successful diocesan campaigns across the country and ensures goals are both ambitious and attainable, reflecting each parish’s capacity while helping us meet the growing needs of our diocesan family.

Each parish retains 50% of all funds raised up to its campaign goal, with the remaining 50% allocated to support diocesan priorities. If a parish exceeds its outlined goal, it will retain 80% of additional funds raised. If the parish share of funds raised is more than what is required for campaign projects, the parish will prayerfully decide how the remaining funds can best support the parish’s future needs, including funding the parish endowment, unless otherwise outlined in the parish local case statement.

If the parish share of funds raised falls short of the full amount needed, the parish will determine which projects can be completed at this time, and any unused funds will be directed to other important parish priorities.

A Christian steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with all, and returns them with increase to the Lord. Through Called to Flourish, we are invited to consider how the gifts God has entrusted to us can benefit the future of our Church.

Each household will be invited to consider a sacrificial gift, beyond regular offertory, in the spirit of Christian stewardship. Suggested amounts will vary, and parishioners are encouraged to pray and discern a level of support that is both meaningful and manageable for their household.

Request amounts are thoughtfully determined based on each parishioner’s past generosity, in collaboration with the Catholic Community Foundation and campaign counsel. These requests are meant to serve as a guide, not an expectation. Every household’s circumstances are unique, and each prayerful, sacrificial gift helps our Church flourish.

Pledges fulfilled over five years allow families to make a greater impact through flexible payments. This approach encourages deeper generosity than a one-time gift may allow while making it easier for parishioners to participate.

There are many ways to support the Called to Flourish: Our Church for the Future campaign. Gifts may be made by check, credit card, or automatic bank withdrawal. You may also give through stock or securities, IRA qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), donor-advised funds, or employer matching gifts. All payments should be made to “Called to Flourish.”

For questions about making or adjusting your pledge, contact the Campaign Office at (216) 902-1300.

Make Your Gift Now

First and foremost, we ask for you to pray for the success of the Called to Flourish campaign and for all who will be touched by its impact. You can also support the campaign by sharing its message with fellow parishioners. If you feel called to volunteer, please reach out to your pastor or a member of your parish campaign team.