Published on December 4, 2017
NEW ORLEANS – A total of $2.5 million was raised for 150 participating ministries, parishes, schools and nonprofits in New Orleans during the 24-hour online giving event held on #GivingTuesday on Nov. 28. New Orleans was part of the nationwide giving day, resulting in $3.6 million collected for more than 600 organizations within 17 archdioceses and dioceses – making this the most successful Catholic crowdfunding event to date.
“We’re thrilled with the turnout and participation by so many members of our Catholic community this year who collectively raised millions for the participating organizations,” said Josephine Everly, president of #iGiveCatholic. “This is a testament to how much New Orleans cares about giving thanks and giving back. We want to give a huge thank you to everyone who chose to give Catholic.”
The total number of online contributions was more than 13,000 overall and more than 3,000 in New Orleans alone at the close of the 24-hour period. Gifts came from 29 states beyond the states represented by the participating archdioceses and dioceses, as well as six countries, including Afghanistan, Great Britain, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Honduras and Canada. As a result, the amount raised for #iGiveCatholic 2017 exceeded the Catholic Foundation Archdiocese of New Orleans’ goals of raising $1.8 million for New Orleans, and $3.5 overall.
The success of this year’s initiative was made possible thanks to its first national sponsor, CAPTRUST. According to CAPTRUST Principal and Director of Institutional Religious Retirement and Foundation Services Stephen Schott, “This was an exciting opportunity for our family at CAPTRUST to join with #iGiveCatholic to celebrate Catholic philanthropy around the nation.”
Part of the excitement of #iGiveCatholic was the opportunity for local organizations to compete for cash awards ($1,500 awarded to first place winners, $750 to second place and $250 to third place). This year’s winners are as follows:
- The parishes that had the largest number of advance-day unique donors, in first through third order: Ascension of Our Lord Parish in LaPlace, St. Angela Merici in Metairie and Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell. The parishes that had the largest number of gifts on #iGiveCatholic, in first through third order: Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mandeville, St. Angela Merici in Metairie and Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in LaPlace.
- The schools that had the largest number of advance-day unique donors, in first through third order: St. Benilde School in Metairie, St. Catherine of Siena School in Metairie and St. Peter School in Reserve. The schools that had the largest number of gifts on #iGiveCatholic, in first through third order: St. Benilde School in Metairie, St. Paul’s School in Covington and Archbishop Hannan High School in Covington.
- The nonprofits that had the largest number of advance-day unique donors, in first through third order: Southern Dominican Province, USA in Metairie, Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans, and Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center in Metairie. The nonprofits that had the largest number of gifts on #iGiveCatholic, in first through third order: Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Dumb Ox Ministries in Mandeville.
For more information about #iGiveCatholic or to view the full list of results (sortable by archdiocese/diocese, organization, total gifts or total dollars), visit www.iGiveCatholic.org. Next year’s giving day is set for #GivingTuesday, November 27, 2018. Registration for organizations interested in participating will open in September 2018.
Participating archdioceses and dioceses in #iGiveCatholic 2017 included: Archdiocese of Atlanta, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Archdiocese of Mobile, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Diocese of Allentown, Diocese of Austin, Diocese of Baton Rouge, Diocese of Biloxi, Diocese of Helena, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Diocese of Jackson, Diocese of Knoxville, Diocese of Lexington, Diocese of Lubbock, Diocese of Memphis, Diocese of Owensboro, and Diocese of Paterson.
