Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving “resonates” with donors, raises more than $1.1 million

Catholics across Nebraska came together on May 7 to celebrate and support the state’s many parishes, schools and ministries during the second annual Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving (NCDG). Over $1.1 million was raised for 204 organizations across the state, including 107 in the Archdiocese of Omaha.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha (SSVP) had a goal to raise $60,000 to support poor and struggling families in Omaha. They exceeded their goal by $500 and raised about $27,000 more than last year as part of NCDG.

SSVP Omaha provides direct aid – including food, clothing, homelessness prevention and disaster recovery assistance – to those in need. This past year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helped 129,879 people in the community experiencing hardships.

Tim Sully, the organization’s development director, said that with individual giving down this year, SSVP was especially grateful for the opportunity to “lean into” NCDG.

Tim Sully COURTESY PHOTO

“We really needed to have a good giving turnout for the Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving, and we are so grateful that it is turning out as well as it is,” Sully said.

He said that funds raised during NCDG will go directly to purchase food and supplies for its homeless meal program and stock its food pantry.

“This all, of course, directly affects the neighbors we serve,” Sully said.

Sully attributes this year’s success to a matching challenge fund they implemented. He also believes the name – Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving – resonates with donors and friends of SSVP.

The 24-hour fundraising event was a joint effort of the Diocese of Grand Island, the Diocese of Lincoln and the Archdiocese of Omaha. It allows Catholics throughout the state to emphasize their shared Catholic mission and values.

Across Nebraska, about 2,400 people logged on to make a gift on May 7. The Archdiocese of Omaha raised more than $500,000 during NCDG. In addition to SSVP, organizations that raised the most money in the archdiocese were the Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion, St. Patrick Parish in Fremont,  St. John Paul II Academy and Ablaze House of Prayer. More information on NCDG and the many parishes, schools and ministries who participated can be found here.

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