Progress 2008 Appeal
What’s New This Year?

Revised Goal and Parish Share Calculations

The Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso has set the overall goal for 2008 at $2 million.  This amount represents what the 17 diocesan ministries need in order to operate effectively next year.  Individual parish goals were apportioned by each parish’s share of the overall Sunday and Holy Day collections for the diocese.  The goal for 2008 represents a reduction of more than 6% to 16.4% of collections.

The Board revised the method of calculating the rebates due to parishes.  Beginning in 2008, parishes will share the funds collected with the diocese once the parish reaches its goal.  Thereafter, the Foundation will return to the parish 50% of all funds collected over goal.  We will continue presenting rebate checks to the parishes at the Progress Celebration held each January.

25th Anniversary Celebration

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Progress Annual Appeal, we are asking each church to set up a table in the foyer of the church during both Commitment Weekends.  The Foundation will provide every parish with silver balloons and a commemorative rosary.  The rosaries are to be given out to those parishioners submitting a pledge that day. 

Additional Cash Incentives

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Progress Annual Appeal, the Foundation Board of Directors approved $25,000 in additional incentives for parishes with the funds placed in endowments for the winning parishes.

Matching Gift Program

Beginning this year, we will actively promote a matching gift program for those donors whose employers match their charitable donations. 

Small Business Gift Program

Beginning this year, we will conduct a separate phase of the Progress Annual Appeal that solicits donations from local companies that do business with the Foundation, diocese, schools, and parishes.

Young Parishioners Campaign

Beginning this year, we will conduct a separate phase of the Progress Annual Appeal to solicit gifts from youth, young adults, and young families through Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic high schools, Youth Ministry, parish formation programs, and Search Retreats.