JACKSON – Parishes and schools have started adding their information to the #iGiveCatholic page for the Diocese of Jackson. At press time, 10 organizations have created profiles for the Tuesday, Nov. 29, event. This year, six Catholic dioceses in the southeast region are involved: the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Dioceses of Austin, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Houma-Thibodaux, and Jackson.
To celebrate the unique Catholic heritage of philanthropy, #iGiveCatholic is a giving day created to rally the Catholic community on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 29, a global day of giving. Secure, tax-deductible donations will be accepted on www.iGiveCatholic.org during a 24-hour period.
The monetary goal is to raise $1,500,000 for parishes, schools, ministries, and not-for-profit organizations during one day.
The underlying goal of the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day is to inspire the Catholic community to come together with giving in support of organizations that shape souls: parishes, schools, ministries and not-for-profit organizations.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans was the first to offer the faithful there the opportunity to support their favorite Catholic organization, encouraging people to participate in Giving Tuesday and to post the hashtag #iGiveCatholic on social media. The blitz was successful from its very first year, earning a million dollars in donations.
The social media aspect of the campaign is part of what has Ann Roberson, development director for Vicksburg Catholic Schools, excited. “When we look at some of your younger alumni and our young parents, we can better reach them on social media than in many other ways,” she said. She said the school promoted its ‘Spooky Sprint’ 5-K race on social media and got donations from people in Massachusetts who could not come to participate, but saw the social media post and wanted to help.
Each parish school or organization will have its own page on the website where organizers can say a little about how the donations will be used. They are encouraged to have fun promoting their participation. “We told them they can post videos of flash mobs, make yard signs or memes, whatever they can dream up to draw attention,” said Rebecca Harris, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. The Foundation is sponsoring #iGiveCatholic for the diocese, covering the cost of participating and coordinating the training. “Organizations can start promoting their participation far in advance of the actual day of giving. This helps spread the word a little farther and may result in more donations as people share their posts,” added Harris.
Look in the next few editions of Mississippi Catholic for a final tally of participants.