Vision, Mission and Purpose

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Vision:

In the spring of 2018, The Diocese of Fall River formally established an independent, charitable foundation responsible for raising, managing and distributing philanthropic funds to provide long-term, sustainable support for the parishes, schools and life-changing ministries across the Diocese. The Foundation came as a direct outgrowth of a six-month planning process that brought together over forty women and men from across the Diocese, to serve on a taskforce and seek to discern how a Foundation may help us to fulfill God’s will for REBUILDING the Church in Southeastern, MA. Their collective efforts resulted in a shared vision to establish a Catholic Foundation to serve and support our community of FAITH in the years ahead.

Mission:

To invite great generosity, safeguard all gifts entrusted to our care and enable our parishes, schools and ministries to advance the mission of our Church, throughout the Diocese of Fall River.

  • Grow in our personal, living relationship with Christ, and commit to strengthening our parishes, schools and life-changing ministries;
  • Lead the Church to a new experience of holiness and abundant life in Christ; and
  • Share God’s love for all people, giving of our time, talent and treasure in a spirit of love for the Lord.

Purpose:

The Foundation is incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, fully endorsed by the Diocese and the Bishop, Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. This legal structure ensures that all gifts will be used for their intended purposes and provide a level of efficiency, accountability and transparency that will earn the respect and confidence of donors as well as the pastors/parishes, schools and ministries it serves.

All stewardship, development functions and fundraising within the Diocese will fall under the purview of the Foundation including the annual Catholic Appeal, as well as planned giving, major gifts, capital gifts and grants. In the not too distant future, we will begin to manage the consolidation of diocesan and parish endowments to leverage investment opportunities and maximize performance. These activities will chart a new course for the Church in our region and potentially benefit every area of our life together.

The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts is here to serve the Diocese and each parish, school and entity as well as the greater community.