Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part II)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 is being released this week, which is also the week when the NCEA virtual convention is being held. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8th Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. The responses to the 45-minute presentation about the future of Catholic schools and parishes were interesting: “Quite revealing!” “Thank you for access to this eye-opening information.” “Today's presentation was truly a 'lift the slate' presentation....
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part I)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Monday, March 8, 2021, ISPD presented our 29th Monday Cohort Session titled “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes.” Over 400 Catholic leaders (superintendents, pastors, president, principals, development/advancement officers, board/council members, etc.) from across the country attended this presentation, and the response we received has been overwhelming. Listed below are some of the comments from the post-webinar survey. “Quite revealing!” “Thank you for access to this eye-opening information.” “Today's presentation was truly a 'lift the slate' presentation. It smacked me in the back of the head with the belief that NOW is the real time to prepare for the...
Using Effective Processes and Tools to Build a Solid Development Foundation During This Pandemic (Part III)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we shared in the November and December newsletters, there are important components to every Catholic school and/or parish development vehicle -- components such as: A full functioning database; Successful enrollment management processes; A comprehensive total stewardship process; Active and on-going alum involvement; Systemic communications using many platforms and avenues; Effective fund/friend-raising events; Solid people engagement efforts; Successful annual giving; Capital campaign preparation and/or initiation; Individualized new parishioner welcome process; Consistent financial leader identification, relationship-building, and invitation; Organized strategic plans of action; Plus, others. Like an automobile, without these components (parts) being present, or without them functioning at full capacity,...
Using Effective Processes and Tools to Build a Solid Development Foundation During This Pandemic (Part II)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we shared in the November newsletter, there are important components to every Catholic school and/or parish development vehicle -- components such as: A full functioning database; Successful enrollment management processes; A comprehensive total stewardship process; Active and on-going alum involvement; Systemic communications using many platforms and avenues; Effective fund/friend-raising events; Solid people engagement efforts; Successful annual giving; Capital campaign preparation and/or initiation; Individualized new parishioner welcome process; Consistent financial leader identification, relationship-building, and invitation; Organized strategic plans of action; Plus others. Like an automobile, without these components (parts) being present, or without them functioning at full capacity, your Catholic...
Using Effective Processes and Tools to Build a Solid Development Foundation During This Pandemic (Part I)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are important components to every Catholic school and/or parish development vehicle -- components such as: A full-functioning database; Successful enrollment management processes; A comprehensive total stewardship process; Active and on-going alum involvement; Systemic communications using many platforms and avenues; Effective fund/friend-raising events; Solid people engagement efforts; Successful annual giving; Capital campaign preparation and/or initiation; Individualized new parishioner welcome process; Consistent financial leader identification, relationship-building, and invitation; Organized strategic plans of action; Plus, others. Like an automobile, without these components (parts) being present, or without them functioning at full capacity, your Catholic school and/or parish may not operate as well...
Culture of Belonging & the FISH! Philosophy
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Since our beginning years in the late 1980’s, ISPD has believed in establishing a Culture of Belonging. In the midst of this pandemic, the call for this culture to be at the forefront of Catholic school and parish operations has never been more important. Over the past six months, here are five statements we have heard and continue to hear: “How are we going to retain the students and families that may leave us because of tuition and fees, free public-school options, job loss, or home schooling?” “How will we get our parish families to come back to church if...
Seeds of Hope and Change: Ten Development Boxes to Check Over the Next 12 Months
When we rounded the corner on the month of August and moved into September, for many Catholic school and parish leaders there seemed to be a sigh of relief -- a recognition that we had made it through those unbelievable and unforgettable summer months of change. And, maybe we have moved to a new norm, although it keeps changing. In my 31+ years in Catholic school and parish development with ISPD, I have never seen a more important time for development/advancement (Operational Vitality) to take front and center stage in our schools and churches. Being in communication (via ISPD...
Creating Viable Revenue Streams for Catholic Schools and Parishes in 2020-2021
In the recent ISPD Survey # 6 (answered by over 300 Catholic leaders throughout the country) which closed last week, one of the questions was: “Please state the top 1-3 challenges your Catholic school and/or parish is facing as you move into the 2020 – 2021 fiscal year.” There were many answers, but the one that rose to the top of the list dealt with balancing the budget and creating streams of revenue in the midst of a pandemic. In other words, if a Catholic school loses enrollment, or if donors are not in a position to contribute over...
Two Important Ingredients for 2024-2025: “PD” and “SGP”
April 22, 2024
5 min
Professional Development and Strategic Growth Plan. In the battle today for individual sanity and institutional survival, these...
Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying
February 14, 2024
7 min
This is the famous quote that Andy Dufresne says to Red in the movie The Shawshank Redemption....
ISPD’S Catholic Development Resolutions for the New Year
January 4, 2024
9 min
Happy New Year! We hope the Christmas Holidays were a wonderful and blessed time for you and...
Revelant Post-Pandemic Macro Considerations for Catholic School Leaders
December 4, 2023
6 min
Hands-on the wheel with an intentional gaze forward, we briefly look into the rearview mirror and see...
Don’t Let Giving Tuesday Pass You By!
November 3, 2023
4 min
It’s the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year! For school administrators, the final two months...
The Value of Strategic Planning
October 1, 2023
5 min
When we talk about strategic planning with a Catholic school and/or parish, ISPD’s philosophy of belonging leads...
