Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
A Pause for Prayer, A Cause for Mourning
Here in the Greater New Orleans Area, where our company is located, all of us at ISPD extend our sympathies and condolences to those who were killed and/or injured in the early New Year’s Day tragedy on Bourbon Street. We are heartbroken and grieve for those families having to endure the reality of this senseless act. New Orleans is a city built on resilience. Through the years, we have faced adversity and risen stronger. As a friend of mine said this morning, “We stand together, not just in mourning, but in our resolve to heal and grow from adversity.” Mardi Gras will go on; the Super Bowl will be held, the spring festivals will take place, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be staged; and our company’s annual three-day conference (ISPD Summer 2025 Development School) in June will welcome Catholic leaders from throughout the country. We will rise and come back better than ever. As we said in our December Christmas story: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Candles of remembrance, respect, reverence, and hope are lit in the City of New Orleans.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part II)
Optimize your school's enrollment with strategic management. Learn how to attract, enroll, and retain students while meeting budget goals.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part I)
Enrollment management is an intentional, strategic process employed by schools that focuses on attracting, admitting, enrolling, retaining, and supporting families from admittance through graduation. Enrollment management historically began in higher education and has expanded into primary and secondary education.
Capital Campaigns: Why do Some Succeed and Some Fail?
Do you ever wonder why some capital campaigns in Catholic schools and parishes are successful and some miss their goal? ISPD has had the wonderful opportunity to work with so many successful campaigns over our 35-year history. Our most recent one at Holy Name of Jesus Parish and School in New Orleans, LA, exceeded their “stretch goal” by $600K. The original goal was $5 million; the stretch goal was $7 million, and the campaign ended up raising $7.6 million. Several years ago, we worked with Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati. They had an $18 million goal and went over...
How will 2024-25 Be Different in Your Catholic School and/or Parish?
HOW WILL 2024-25 BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND/OR PARISH? One of the greatest joys in this business of consulting with Catholic schools, parishes, and (arch)dioceses is meeting the many different people who make up the leadership of our Catholic institutions – (arch)bishops, pastors, superintendents, principals, presidents, development and advancement directors, board members, and many others. Although everyone has different situations and challenges, we all want the same thing : to see our Catholic institution(s) improve, stay alive, and thrive. Many go about it in many ways – there’s boss management; there’s team management; there’s in-between management; there are...
Back to School Night and Vision Articulation
All across the country next month, the majority of Catholic schools will open for the 2024 -- 2025 school year and many will open with the infamous "Back to School Night". What a wonderful time for marketing and promoting the value of your school. These can be teachable and/or impressionable moments. Remember that old saying: “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR! This is one that many Catholic schools open with, and for many, this is where first impressions are made – especially for new families and...
ISPD Circle of Catholic Champions
In celebration of our 35th anniversary in June 2024, ISPD is announcing our first Circle of Catholic Champions. This is a combination of individual Catholic leaders, parishes, schools, and (arch)dioceses that ISPD has worked with in the past 35 years. They represent the following traits that exhibit true Catholic Development – Advancement – Stewardship excellence: Commitment to engaging people Belonging leads to believing culture Proactive thinking Excellent stewardship of resources they have been given Collaborative leadership Ability to create and share an innovative and dynamic vision Mission-driven results Commitment to bringing people to Christ and Christ to people This first...
ISPD Celebrates 35th Anniversary Year
(Editor’s Note: This Special Edition newsletter is about the early history of ISPD, the people, and the events that made it happen. I will admit from the beginning that not everyone who receives information from ISPD is going to be interested in how this company got started. It is written with two purposes in mind: 1. As a celebration of our 35 year anniversary, to share the early (and fragile) moments that allowed ISPD to be born; 2. For those who have just started or are thinking about beginning their own company, the fine lines between success and failure and how...
A Pause for Prayer, A Cause for Mourning
January 3, 2025
10 min
Here in the Greater New Orleans Area, where our company is located, all of us at ISPD extend our sympathies and condolences to those who were killed and/or injured in the early New Year’s Day tragedy on Bourbon Street. We are heartbroken and grieve for those families having to endure the reality of this senseless act. New Orleans is a city built on resilience. Through the years, we have faced adversity and risen stronger. As a friend of mine said this morning, “We stand together, not just in mourning, but in our resolve to heal and grow from adversity.” Mardi Gras will go on; the Super Bowl will be held, the spring festivals will take place, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be staged; and our company’s annual three-day conference (ISPD Summer 2025 Development School) in June will welcome Catholic leaders from throughout the country. We will rise and come back better than ever. As we said in our December Christmas story: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Candles of remembrance, respect, reverence, and hope are lit in the City of New Orleans.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part II)
December 13, 2024
6 min
Optimize your school's enrollment with strategic management. Learn how to attract, enroll, and retain students while meeting budget goals.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part I)
November 23, 2024
4 min
Enrollment management is an intentional, strategic process employed by schools that focuses on attracting, admitting, enrolling, retaining, and supporting families from admittance through graduation. Enrollment management historically began in higher education and has expanded into primary and secondary education.
Capital Campaigns: Why do Some Succeed and Some Fail?
October 21, 2024
6 min
Do you ever wonder why some capital campaigns in Catholic schools and parishes are successful and some...
How will 2024-25 Be Different in Your Catholic School and/or Parish?
August 15, 2024
6 min
HOW WILL 2024-25 BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND/OR PARISH? One of the greatest joys in...
Back to School Night and Vision Articulation
July 17, 2024
7 min
All across the country next month, the majority of Catholic schools will open for the 2024 --...
