Catholic Community Foundation fosters faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all.
Encouraging faithful philanthropy
Dedicated to enriching the lives of others 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.
Grantseeking guidance
The Catholic Community Foundation manages a number of grants and makes them available to Diocesan agencies, schools, parishes and programs and other faith-based or nonprofit organizations located within the Diocese of Cleveland.
Making a gift that will make a difference
There are several meaningful ways you can support the ministries of the Church in Northeast Ohio and help make a profound impact. Learn which giving opportunities are right for you and your financial situation. Every gift will make a difference!
Rendering of planned gathering space at Borromeo and Saint Mary Seminaries.
PART I: RENOVATE OUR SEMINARIES $20 MILLION
The interior renovation of Borromeo Seminary and Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology is long overdue; the building is over 70 years old. The holistic formation of priests in our Diocese requires renovations to provide suitable physical space for:
Liturgical worship, prayer, and reflection
Fostering formation and human development
Encouraging relational and vocational growth
Private study
Inviting safe social interactions
Renovations will include renovated student rooms for all students with individual bathrooms for graduate students, individually controlled heating and cooling, ADA accessible rooms, faculty and guest suite renovations, new furniture, an upgraded elevator and new elevator connecting all floors, common lounge area and study space, laundry rooms, and an updated Reconciliation Chapel.
Resurrection Chapel, a prayerful space where seminarians gather five times a day for prayer and discern their vocation, will also be renovated with a new double door entryway, installation of a Baptismal font, refurbished pews and kneelers, pipe organ restoration, new lighting, and new liturgical furnishings.
Retired priest, Rev. Thomas O'Donnell.
PART II: CARE FOR RETIRED PRIESTS $7 MILLION
In our Diocese, we are fortunate to have 258 active priests and 97 retired priests who have dedicated their lives to serving us. Many priests continue to serve our community of faith after retirement, and we are called to do what is necessary to provide them with adequate care. However, the Retired Clergy Pension Fund is not yet fully funded, placing more of the burden on parishes to ensure that priests receive adequate pensions. To secure proper care for our clergy, while reducing annual premiums for parishes, this initiative will allocate $7 million to meet this important obligation.
Rev. Eric Garris with his mother, Jenny, at St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village where he serves as Parochial Vicar.
PART III: SUPPORT FOR NEWLY-ORDAINED CLERGY $3 MILLION
When seminarians are ordained, many are burdened with financial hardship. A seminarian graduating today may have accumulated between $8,000 and $112,000 in education debt, for an average of $38,000. Support is needed to ensure that these priests can dedicate their lives to the Lord and serve our communities without the weight of financial hardship. Our goal is to invest $3 million in an endowment dedicated to loan repayment assistance for newly-ordained priests.
Rev. Scott Goodfellow administers ashes to Catholic school students during Ash Wednesday Mass.
PART IV: SUPPORT TO YOUR PARISH
The many vibrant parishes that comprise our Diocese of Cleveland serve as a pillar of faith, hope, and charity in our communities. In direct response to the challenges set forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, this campaign will provide an opportunity for our parishes across the Diocese to raise funds for pressing local needs. Please contact your parish for more information about your own parish’s vision for the future.
