The Catholic Difference: How Social Teaching Transforms Fundraising

By Andrew Robison, Petrus President

As a Catholic fundraising professional with two decades of experience working alongside Church and nonprofit leaders, I've witnessed firsthand how Catholic Social Teaching (CST) shapes successful fundraising practices. The intersection of these principles with professional development work creates a unique framework that can positively serve both donors and the Church's mission.

Throughout my career advising dioceses, parishes, and Catholic organizations, I've seen how understanding and applying CST principles transforms typical fundraising approaches into something deeper and more meaningful. This isn't just about securing donations – it's about building authentic relationships that honor human dignity and advance the common good.

My journey began in campus ministry development work, where I learned that fundraising in a Catholic context requires more than mastering the technical aspects of donor cultivation or campaign management. It demands a thorough understanding of the Church's social doctrine and how it applies to our professional practices.

The principles of Catholic Social Teaching – human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the preferential option for the poor – aren't just theological concepts to be discussed in homilies. They're practical guidelines that inform how we approach donors, structure campaigns, and steward resources.

When we root our fundraising work in these teachings, we create something distinctive in the nonprofit world. We're not simply raising money; we're participating in the Church's mission to build God's kingdom. This perspective transforms every donor conversation, grant proposal, and stewardship report into an opportunity to live out our faith.

As a consultant who has worked with hundreds of Catholic organizations, I've observed that the most successful fundraising programs are those that authentically integrate these principles. They understand that Catholic fundraising isn't just about adopting secular best practices with a religious veneer. This work is truly about developing a distinctly Catholic approach to resource development.

In this article, I'll offer some ideas and insights into how Catholic Social Teaching provides a framework for ethical and effective fundraising. We'll examine practical applications of these principles and see how they enhance our work while staying true to our Catholic identity.

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To understand how Catholic Social Teaching informs our fundraising work, we need to look at its origins. The formal articulation of these principles began in 1891 with Pope Leo XIII's groundbreaking encyclical Rerum Novarum. Writing during the Industrial Revolution, Leo XIII addressed the harsh realities facing workers and outlined the Church's response to modern economic challenges.

While it was written over 130 years ago, it’s remarkable how Rerum Novarum's core messages about human dignity and justice remain relevant to our work today. When Leo XIII insisted that workers weren't mere tools for profit but human beings deserving of fair wages and decent conditions, he set a foundation that still guides how we approach fundraising relationships.

The teachings evolved as each pope addressed new challenges. In 1931, Pope Pius XI's Quadragesimo Anno introduced the principle of subsidiarity – the idea that decisions should be made at the lowest effective level. This concept shapes how many Catholic organizations structure their fundraising operations today. I've seen firsthand how this principle empowers local parishes and dioceses to tailor their fundraising approaches to their unique communities while remaining connected to the broader Church. There is rarely a “one size fits all” approach to good development work. 

When I work with Catholic organizations, I often remind them that subsidiarity isn't just about delegation - it's about recognizing that those closest to the needs often understand best how to address them. It's fascinating to see how a teaching from 1931 continues to influence modern organizational structures and decision-making processes.

Pope John XXIII expanded these teachings globally with Mater et Magistra and Pacem in Terris, connecting Catholic Social Teaching to worldwide development. His work reminds me that our fundraising efforts must consider their global impact, not just local needs.

Pope John Paul II's contributions particularly resonate with me as a fundraiser. His emphasis on human dignity and solidarity in encyclicals like Laborem Exercens and Centesimus Annus helps us understand that fundraising isn't just about transactions – it's about building relationships that respect the inherent worth of every person involved.

Today, Pope Francis continues this tradition, challenging us to consider environmental stewardship and global inequality in our work. His encyclicals Laudato Si' and Fratelli Tutti push us to think beyond traditional fundraising metrics and consider our broader impact on society and creation.

Through these papal teachings, we see a consistent thread: the dignity of the human person, the importance of justice over mere charity, and the responsible use of wealth for the common good. These principles don't just inform our Catholic fundraising work – they transform it.

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While popes and bishops have articulated Catholic Social Teaching, some of its most powerful examples come from lay Catholics and religious who put these principles into action. In my two decades of fundraising work, I've drawn constant inspiration from these pioneers.

Take Dorothy Day, for instance. She didn't wait for episcopal permission to serve the poor. She just did it. In 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, Day co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement to show how ordinary Catholics could live out these teachings through direct action. I remember visiting a Catholic Worker house in Detroit early in my career. The simplicity of their approach – serving soup, offering shelter, cleaning up the neighborhood, treating each person with dignity – demonstrated that you don't need elaborate programs to make a difference.

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam strikes particularly close to home for me as a lay Catholic professional. Here was a university professor who saw suffering in 19th century Paris and decided to act. He founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul not as a cleric, but as a layman who understood that faith demanded action. When critics challenged Catholics to show their good works, Ozanam responded by organizing direct service to the poor while advocating for systemic change.

St. John Bosco's work in Turin offers another powerful model. He recognized that charity alone wasn't enough. Young people needed education and job skills to break cycles of poverty. His approach reminds me that effective Catholic fundraising must support both immediate needs and long-term solutions.

These figures teach us that Catholic Social Teaching isn't just the domain of church hierarchy. We may call it different things, but CST really belongs to all of us. When I work with Catholic organizations today, I emphasize that every staff member, volunteer, and donor participates in this tradition. Whether we're writing grant proposals, meeting with major donors, or planning capital campaigns, we're all called to advance the common good through our professional work.

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In my work with Catholic organizations, I've found that Catholic Social Teaching provides a comprehensive framework for approaching both fundraising and social justice. Let me break down these key principles that guide our work.

The dignity of work and workers stands as a cornerstone principle. I've seen this play out in campaigns where we're not just raising money for new buildings, but advocating for hiring and compensating great staff members who will lead dynamic programs within those facilities. It's about recognizing that church work isn’t just about the buildings, but its about employing skilled workers to build real relationships and bring people to Christ, not just into the buildings.

Private property comes with responsibility. I’ve had countless conversations with donors about this and they are always really powerful discussions. Yes, we have a right to own property and build wealth, but that right carries an obligation to use these resources for the common good. I remember one conversation with a major donor who grasped this perfectly: "My business success isn't just for me," he said. "It's a tool to serve Christ and lift others up."

The role of state and civil society gets interesting in Catholic fundraising. While we respect government's role in promoting the common good, we also emphasize subsidiarity, which means addressing needs at the most local level possible. This balance helps Catholic organizations partner effectively with government programs while maintaining their distinctive mission.

Justice beyond charity is crucial. In my consulting work, I encourage organizations to look beyond immediate assistance to address systemic issues. Yes, we need food banks and hot meals delivered to homeless shelters, but we also need to ask why people are hungry in the first place.

Solidarity reminds us we're all connected. When I work with campus ministries or youth organizations, this principle helps donors understand that supporting ministries like this now means that these young people will eventually move on and serve elsewhere. Sending college students on mission trips around the world not only brings charity to those communities now, but it plants seeds for service with those students for the rest of their lifetime. 

The moral dimension of economics shapes how we approach fundraising itself. We can't separate economic decisions from ethical considerations. This means being transparent about how funds are used, ensuring fair compensation for staff, and investing resources responsibly.

Care for creation has become increasingly central to Catholic Social Teaching. With new church campaigns, I often see an intentional effort to design buildings with sustainability and environmental concerns at the forefront. Protecting our common home is clearly inseparable from caring for the poor who often bear the worst effects of environmental degradation.

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As a fundraiser, I've found that Catholic Social Teaching deeply informs how we engage with donors and structure our fundraising programs. Let me share how these principles translate into practical fundraising approaches.

When I talk with donors about radical generosity, I ground our conversations in CST's emphasis on the universal destination of goods. With most donors, it is easy to remember that everything we have is a gift from God. We're called to be channels of these blessings, not reservoirs. This perspective transforms traditional fundraising into something more profound. Giving is not just a donation, it becomes an invitation to participate in God's work of caring for all creation.

Volunteerism flows naturally from CST's emphasis on solidarity and subsidiarity. I encourage organizations to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that connect donors directly with the communities they support. There's something powerful about a major donor mentoring a high school or college student. Or serving meals alongside the people their gift helps.

Value-based fundraising strategies emerge organically from CST principles. When developing campaign materials, we focus on human dignity rather than just numbers served. Instead of saying "We fed 1,000 people," we might share how "We helped Maria start her own catering business, enabling her to feed her family and employ three neighbors."

Transparency isn't just about good business practice. It's about respecting the dignity of our donors and the communities we serve. I advise organizations to be completely open about their successes and challenges. This builds trust and demonstrates stewardship of resources. Recently, I worked with a Catholic ministry that shared detailed impact reports showing how donations were spent, AND how their programs strategically addressed systemic issues.

CST's emphasis on the common good helps us frame fundraising as community-building rather than just transactional. When I meet with donors, we discuss how their giving can strengthen social bonds and promote justice. And the truth is that donors love these conversations and find their giving even more fulfilling when discussed in this light.

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As I reflect on twenty years in Catholic fundraising, I'm convinced that living Catholic Social Teaching isn't just for Sunday mornings. It's for Monday meetings, Tuesday donor calls, and every moment in between.

"How can we make this practical?" a development director recently asked me during a consultation. I shared how I start each donor meeting by asking about their family, their hopes, their dreams for their community. It’s easy to skip the small talk, but in reality this is just the first step in recognizing our donor’s human dignity and understanding that their philanthropy flows from their deepest values.

In my own office, I've posted the core principles of CST where I can see them while writing reviewing my clients’ appeals or planning campaigns. They remind me that every donor letter isn't just about asking for money. As my colleague, Tara Doyon always says, “These are invitations to participate in building the kingdom of God.”

I challenge my fellow fundraisers: Let's educate our donors about their role in caring for others. Share stories that highlight dignity rather than dependency. Talk about systemic change alongside immediate needs. Help donors see themselves not as saviors, but as partners in justice.

For those working in Catholic organizations, I encourage you to weave CST principles into your daily operations. When reviewing budgets, ask how they reflect a preferential option for the poor. During staff meetings, consider how decisions impact the common good. In donor communications, emphasize solidarity over charity.

To my donors reading this: Your generosity isn't just about writing checks. It's about recognizing your role in God's plan for justice and peace. Ask your favorite organizations how they're implementing Catholic Social Teaching. Look for opportunities to engage beyond giving. This could be volunteering, looking for ways to advocate, or simply learning more about the communities you support.

The principles of Catholic Social Teaching aren't just theoretical. They're shockingly simple and practical guidelines for creating a more just and humane world. In our fundraising work, we have the privilege and responsibility of inviting others into this vision. Let's embrace this challenge with courage, creativity, and faith.