The Hartford Bishops' Foundation
What is The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation? Founded in 2016, The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation (HBF) is dedicated to engaging donors in helping the Archdiocese of Hartford carry out the mission of the Catholic Church. The independent Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the Archdiocese’s constituencies: parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations. For more information, please visit The Hartford Bishops Foundation's website.
During the COVID-19 outbreak the HBF, changed their direction from the Forward with Faith Campaign, to focus on the challenges parishes were facing during the shut-down. As we all struggled to navigate in unchartered waters the HBF set up an Emergency Relief Fund on behalf of the parishes. Nearly $600,000 was raised from donors throughout the archdiocese in approximately six weeks to help set up the fund. The Emergency Relief Fund gave parishes the opportunity to apply for relief funds based on the impact that they faced as a result of the pandemic.
Now that our parishes are beginning to return to active parish life following the events of this past spring, we wanted to share the mission of the Hartford Bishops Foundation in order to better understand their role in our archdiocese. As we return to regular parish life, we will share with you the upcoming Fprward with Faith Campaign, and how it will benefit St. Faustina Parish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forward with Faith?
Forward with Faith (FWF) is a fundraising campaign to build a vibrant community of faith in the parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations. This vision will help to fulfill the mission of our Church in Hartford: to be living signs of communion with God and to be his instruments for redemption in the world.
What are the objectives of Forward with Faith?
Forward with Faith seeks to raise a minimum of $60 million to support:
- Vibrant Parishes: Half of all funds raised will help the parishes meet their needs;
- Educating to Re-ignite the Faith: by expanding and strengthening learning for students, administrators, teachers, clergy, and the faithful;
- Champions in Service: by helping Catholic Charities with better facilities and new programs; and,
- Innovation and Emerging Opportunities that promote long-lasting change, strengthen our schools and parishes, and meet the evolving needs of the community.
What is The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation? Founded in 2016, The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation (HBF) is dedicated to engaging donors in helping the Archdiocese of Hartford carry out the mission of the Catholic Church. The independent Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the Archdiocese’s constituencies: parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations. For more information, please visit The Hartford Bishops Foundation's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forward with Faith?
Forward with Faith (FWF) is a fundraising campaign to build a vibrant community of faith in the parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations. This vision will help to fulfill the mission of our Church in Hartford: to be living signs of communion with God and to be his instruments for redemption in the world.
How will my parish benefit from the campaign?
Each parish receives 50% of the funds raised from its parishioners for its own needs.. Once a parish reaches its target, 80% of funds over the target will be retained by the parish. The remainder of campaign funds may return either directly or indirectly via HBF grantmaking activities within its funding priorities.
Will the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal continue?
Yes. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (approximately $10 million per year) provides the day-to-day support to ministries and charitable works of the Archdiocese. Donors will therefore be asked to maintain current annual gift levels in addition to campaign gifts.
Will the campaign affect parish offertory?
Parishes rely on their offertory collection. Parishioners are asked not to diminish giving to the offertory or the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal collection but rather to consider an increased commitment to their parish and to the Archdiocese.
With so much uncertainty, is this the best time for a campaign?
The events of 2020 are unprecedented and have resulted in extraordinary needs in our parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations. As parish life returns to the “new normal,” we set our sites on resuming the good work of the Church, including through important initiatives, including FWF.
We realize that not everyone will be able to support the campaign. By combining our gifts together can make a difference not just in our own parish but throughout the archdiocese.
Every gift no matter the size, in needed and greatly appreciated.