Giving Challenge Successes

Three years ago, the Catholic Foundation transitioned its annual Gala into a direct request Giving Challenge in 2021. Through the Giving Challenge, 100% of every dollar donated is directed to the key areas of ministry through our newly created Community Impact Grant Program. Our Giving Challenge successes are highlighted below.

For information about the Giving Challenge click here.

2022 Successes

In 2022, the Catholic Foundation Board launched the Community Impact Grant Program and made the decision to use proceeds from the Giving Challenge to fund the grants. This program, administered by the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, offers grants to diocesan, parish and school programs Courageously Living the Gospel through:

  • innovative youth ministry and young adult programs
  • evangelization efforts to assist in spreading the Good News
  • serving Christ by serving others
  • supporting families seeking a Catholic school education for their children

The generosity of more than 300 donors raised just over $350,000! Of that, the Foundation granted:

  • $40,000 to establish long-term funds for each of the four funded areas within the Catholic Foundation
  • $200,000 for tuition assistance through the Catholic School Tuition Assistance Grant (CSTAG) Program, helping 365 students and families, in 14 different Catholic Schools around the Diocese
  • Almost $70,000 to 15 parish, school and ministry programs

2021 Successes

The 2021 Giving Challenge raised $316,000 in direct donations, which the Foundation Board granted to support:

  • $200,000 for tuition assistance through the Diocesan Catholic School Tuition Assistance Grant (CSTAG) Program
  • $100,000 to fund a new, future Youth/Young Adult event drawing participation from across the Diocese
  • $35,000 to two grants for affordable housing projects
  • $46,000 to support the Transformational Parish Growth Summit for parish leadership teams.

We offer special thanks to all of our 2021 Giving Challenge Partners

Platinum

Chris and Lauren Schellman

Gold
Silver

Angels Senior Living

Mr. & Mrs. John Astrab

DiVito Higham & Vasti, PA

Nativity Catholic Church & School

Oman Construction LLC

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Peters

Mr. Lawrence Schinsky

St. Timothy Catholic Church

SunTrust Bank, now Truist

Copper

Catapult Learning

James and Joyce Desmond

Image Construction, Corp.

David and Nancy Ridenour

Bronze

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School

Calvary Catholic Cemetery

Clearwater Central Catholic High School

The Concord Advisory Group, Ltd

Creative Contractors

Michael & Janet Daigle

John and Lauri Haffner

Mercy of God Polish Mission

Meritain Health, an Aetna Company

Frank & Barbara Murphy

Gary & Cathie Opala

OptumRx

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Sabal Trust

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Tampa

SBJ Resch Family Foundation Inc.

Robert & Nancy Shannon

St. Anne Catholic Church, Ruskin

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church

St. Lawrence Catholic Church

St. Mary Catholic Church

St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Petersburg

St. Paul Catholic Church, Tampa

St. Petersburg Catholic High School

Tampa Catholic High School

William & Carrie Tapp

The Radius Design Group, LLC

Richard & Bonnie Timmons