Almsgiving as Mission: A Lenten Reflection for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

During Lent, the Church calls us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, not as obligations, but as pathways of conversion. For Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, this season invites us to see fundraising not as a financial exercise, but as a sacred invitation into mission.

“When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing… and your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matthew 6:3–4).

Fundraising in Catholic Education is Ministry

Our schools do more than educate; they form disciples, shape moral leaders, and nurture young hearts in the truth of the Gospel. When we invite someone to support Catholic education, we are inviting them to participate in evangelization.

The Hearts We Encounter in Our Schools

Within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, we meet donors at different stages of readiness, spiritually and philanthropically:

• Prospective donors may be parents, grandparents, alumni, or parishioners who believe in Catholic education but have not yet been invited personally.

• First-time donors often give because a story touched their heart, a scholarship student, a new STEM lab, a faith formation initiative.

• Faithful annual donors understand the long-term impact of steady support.

• Major and legacy donors often see their generosity as stewardship, recognizing that all they have is entrusted to them by God (1 Peter 4:10).

  
  

Each donor is not simply a name in a database. Each is a partner in forming the next generation of Catholic leaders in Baltimore.

Engagement as Accompaniment

In Catholic schools, engagement must go beyond newsletters and events. It must be relational and mission centered.

Some practical ways school leaders can engage donors during Lent include:

• Personal invitation to a school Mass or Stations of the Cross

• Sharing a student testimony about faith formation

• Connecting a gift directly to impact (e.g., tuition assistance, campus ministry, technology upgrades)

• Offering to pray for their intentions

  
  

Lent is a powerful time to frame giving as sacrifice that bears fruit. When a donor understands that their gift helps a child encounter Christ daily, generosity becomes deeply spiritual.

The Donor Relationship Cycle in a Catholic School Context

The development cycle mirrors discipleship itself.

1. Prospect Identification

Look within your own community: parish families, alumni, business leaders, grandparents. Ask: who already loves Catholic education? Who has witnessed its impact?

2. Cultivation

Build authentic relationships. Meet for coffee. Listen to their story. Invite them into the school’s life. Cultivation is less about presenting needs and more about understanding shared values.

3. Solicitation

When the time is right, extend a clear and confident invitation. Tie the request directly to mission:

• “Would you consider sponsoring a student’s tuition?”

• “Would you help us expand campus ministry?”

• “Would you support security enhancements for our children?”

In Lent, this invitation can be framed as almsgiving with eternal impact.

4. Stewardship

Gratitude is Gospel-centered. Like the one leper who returned to thank Jesus (Luke 17:11–19), we must cultivate a culture of thanksgiving. Send handwritten notes. Share progress reports. Invite donors to see the fruits of their generosity.

5. Ongoing Engagement

Partnership does not end with a gift. Continue to communicate vision, celebrate student success, and reinforce the spiritual impact of their support.

A Lenten Call to Catholic School Leaders

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has a rich history of Catholic education forming saints, scholars, and servant leaders. Our responsibility is not merely to fund budgets; it is to sustain mission.

Lent reminds us that sacrifice leads to resurrection. When donors give to Catholic schools, they participate in shaping souls for eternity. And when we approach fundraising prayerfully, we too are transformed.

As leaders, may we see every meeting as ministry, every invitation as evangelization, and every act of generosity as grace at work.

For more resources and information contact Marthamaria Morales-Elliott, Director, Catholic School Advancement at the Archdiocese of Baltimore (410)547-5323 or (205)999-0059 email: Marthamaria.elliott@archbalt.org