Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
37 Years of Catholic School and Parish Development: A Message from ISPD’s Founder
37 years in, the processes have evolved. The mission has never changed. “Through consulting, education, and coaching, we bring people, process, and ministry together to help build the Kingdom of God.” This June 2026 marks the beginning of our 37th year in business for the Institute for School and Parish Development (ISPD). Seven years ago, in these same pages, I wrote about thirty years being “quite a milestone.” Seven years later, I find myself even more grateful — and even more convinced that the work we set out to do in 1989 matters more today than ever. It continues to...
Magnifica Humanitas and Catholic Development: ISPD’s Response to Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical on AI
Workers, Not Master Builders: Catholic Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Dear Friends and Colleagues in Catholic Development, It is a particular grace that I offer to gather with you this June in New Orleans. For three days (June 22 – June 24) at the Hilton Riverside, Catholic (arch)diocesan, parish, and school leaders from across the country will do together what our Holy Father has just asked the whole Church to do in Magnifica Humanitas, his landmark encyclical on artificial intelligence: engage one of the most consequential technologies of our lifetime with wisdom, intentionality, and moral clarity — grounded...
Staying Faithful and Effective: Professional Development as Ministry
The Value of Professional Development in Catholic Education and Parish Life In Catholic schools and parishes today, most of our leaders share a common experience: we were prepared well for ministry, but not always for the complex leadership, financial, and organizational realities we now face. Pastors are asked to be evangelists, sacramental ministers, building managers, and capital campaign leaders. Principals are expected to be instructional leaders, enrollment managers, advancement directors, and communications professionals. Advancement and admissions staff juggle donor relations, data, marketing, and technology—often as a team of one. The needs have grown. The pace has quickened. The expectations have...
Annual Fund vs. Capital Campaign: Why Catholic Schools Need Both
Annual Funds and Capital Campaigns Is your school or parish ready for a Capital Campaign? Final Part of a Three Part Series This month, we're exploring the two development efforts that matter most: the Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign. Both are essential. Both invite generosity. But they serve different purposes, operate by different rules, and require different things from your leadership. Two weeks ago, we discussed the Annual Fund — what it is, what it funds, and why Catholic communities can't afford to neglect it. Last week, we turned to the Capital Campaign and what it takes...
The Capital Campaign — Building the Future
Annual Funds and Capital Campaigns Is your school or parish ready for a Capital Campaign? Part Two in a Three Part Series We're exploring the two development efforts that matter most: the Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign. Both are essential. Both invite generosity. But they serve different purposes, operate by different rules, and require different things from your leadership. Last week, we discussed the Annual Fund — what it is, what it funds, and why Catholic communities can't afford to neglect it. This week, we'll turn to the Capital Campaign and what it...
The Annual Fund – Why Every Year Matters
Annual Funds & Capital Campaigns Understanding the Difference and Why Both Matter A Three-Part Series Over the next three weeks, we're exploring the two development efforts that matter most: the Annual Fund and the Capital Campaign. Both are essential. Both invite generosity. But they serve different purposes, operate by different rules, and require different things from your leadership. We'll start this week with the Annual Fund — what it is, what it funds, and why Catholic communities can't afford to neglect it. Next week we'll turn to the Capital Campaign and what it takes...
New Year’s Resolutions for 2026: The Best Direction on Your Development Compass
As we turn the calendar to 01/01/2026, many Catholic schools and parishes are asking, “Where do we point our development compass this year?” Budgets, enrollment, facilities, and staffing all demand attention. Yet beneath all of that is a deeper question: How will we more meaningfully involve people in our mission and vision for the future in 2026?
A Christmas Story
"I was overwhelmed with joy until I turned the corner and saw him crying." A true Christmas story about the day Santa Claus let someone down—and what one boy did about it.
37 Years of Catholic School and Parish Development: A Message from ISPD’s Founder
June 17, 2026
8 min
37 years in, the processes have evolved. The mission has never changed. “Through consulting, education, and coaching,...
Magnifica Humanitas and Catholic Development: ISPD’s Response to Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical on AI
May 29, 2026
6 min
Workers, Not Master Builders: Catholic Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Dear Friends and Colleagues in...
Staying Faithful and Effective: Professional Development as Ministry
April 26, 2026
7 min
The Value of Professional Development in Catholic Education and Parish Life In Catholic schools and parishes today,...
Annual Fund vs. Capital Campaign: Why Catholic Schools Need Both
March 24, 2026
3 min
Annual Funds and Capital Campaigns Is your school or parish ready for...
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The Capital Campaign — Building the Future
March 12, 2026
3 min
Annual Funds and Capital Campaigns Is your school or parish ready for...
-
The Annual Fund – Why Every Year Matters
March 5, 2026
3 min
Annual Funds & Capital Campaigns Understanding the Difference and Why Both Matter...
