b'SPRING/SUMMER2023VOLUMEXXXVIIISSUE 2T H Evisit our website : www.catholicfoundation.comCONSORTIUM OF CATHOLIC FOUNDATIONS UNITES EFFORTS NATIONWIDET he impact that Catholic communitySupporting Catholic Communityfoundations are making in their communitiesFoundations Of All Sizescontinues to grow rapidly. Those early thought leaders, including Matt As the lifestyle of charitable giving, legacyKramer, president and CEO of The Catholic planning and philanthropy becomes more familiarFoundation in Dallas, has since evolved to the resulting organization thats now known as the to individuals and families who give throughConsortium of Catholic Foundations.Catholic foundations, management oversightWith its own charter documents and website,and stewardship of foundations has becomewww.consortiumofcatholicfoundations.org, the increasingly relevant. Consortium is now comprised of more than 50 Catholic community foundations chief executives While The Catholic Foundation in Dallas wasonly that manage donor assets ranging from $15 founded 68 years ago, there are many other Catholicmillion to more than $500 million, and $4.5 billion community foundations that have only recentlycollectively in assets under management.celebrated milestones of 10 or even 30 years. In fact, there are at leastIn May, 34 chief executives from Catholic community foundations a half-dozen U.S. Catholic community foundations that are newly forming. nationwide met for a three-day CEO Symposium. The foundations in Recognizing the rapid growth of Catholic community foundations attendance included those that are independent from their local Catholic coast to coast, and the need for peer learning and sharing of best practicesDiocese, others that are part of their Diocese, and hybrid foundations.with one another, a small group of Catholic foundation leaders began talkingToday, Consortium members benefit from sharing a members-only, digital several years ago about the opportunity to establish a formalized executiveplatform which houses the member library, a daily Q&A Forum, as well as peer group of Catholic foundations. nine sub-groups for deeper study on topical issues made up of executives and staff members at regional Catholic community foundations. (continued on page 5)THE PRESIDENTS LETTER In addition to managing charitable funds and trusts, the Foundation As we near the halfway point of the year, Im pleasedcontinues to host important gatherings such as our Circle of Life seminars with to see how The Catholic Foundation continues toguest speakers who discuss the pastoral care of the sick and dying, funeral and cultivate deep-rooted relationships between bothcemetery planning, legal considerations, legacy planning and Catholic donors and churches, schools and charitablebioethics. Our next seminar will take place this October in McKinney.organizations they financially support.Last year, 79 percent of all the grants awarded by the Foundation went Without visionary and compassionateto Catholic causes. Of the 2,500 grants awarded last year, 70 percent philanthropists, many charitable entities would notremained in our nine county North Texas Catholic community. What that be able to make a lasting impact. Fortunately, were seeing a strong desireindicates is a strong diversity of grants that our donors chose to make based amongst our donors to live philanthropically. upon their personal interests. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded more than $267 million inOur recent spring grant distribution included 30 churches, schools and grants to religious, charitable and educational organizations.nonprofits and involved projects ranging from HVAC repairs, liturgical music, facility renovations, security equipment, a new school van, tuition assistance With established relationships in place, were well positioned tothat enables families to send their children to Catholic school and more.continue working closely with donors to build legacies that help charitableIf you are contemplating what a charitable giving strategy might look organizations thrive. like once it is catered to your specific interests, I invite you to let us know.One fine example is the endowment funds managed by the FoundationWe would gladly help provide you with the expertise to ensure that that provide for the operations of the Institute for Homiletics at thewhatever assets are given by you are maximized to achieve your charitable University of Dallas, a joint venture between the University of Dallas, theintentions through customized plans.\\Diocese of Dallas and the Foundation. With continued donor support, priests and deacons are gaining additional skills to further connect Christ with people in the pews.J. Matthew Kramer President and Chief Executive Officer'