Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
The Value of Strategic Planning
When we talk about strategic planning with a Catholic school and/or parish, ISPD’s philosophy of belonging leads to believing takes the front seat. How do we reach the many ripples of people who are not involved? These could be parents, alums, parishioners, past parents, grandparents, community members. In addition, we have found that in most cases Catholic schools and parishes need better processes in place to get to know these folks and their many connections and resources. With evangelization being so important in the church today, the essential role of the layperson has never been so dramatically emphasized, and that...
ISPD Welcomes New Associate, Dr. Ashley Lynn Ogden
ISPD Welcomes New Associate, Dr. Ashley Lynn Ogden The Institute for School and Parish Development is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Ashley Lynn Ogden to our ISPD Consulting Team. Dr. Ogden served as the principal of St. Dominic School in New Orleans from 2017-2023 and also served as the assistant principal from 2016-2017. Before that she served in both public and catholic schools as a teacher and leader. Dr. Ogden has a strong background in increasing student enrollment, special education, establishing mission-driven brand awareness, increasing academic achievement and developing senior leadership teams. Dr. Ogden will be working with...
Is It Really Important to Conduct an Objective Financial Feasibility Study before Launching a Capital Campaign?
In our work with Catholic schools, parishes and (arch)dioceses, we often have questions from Catholic leaders in regards to whether or not they need to conduct a Financial Feasibility Study (FFS) before they launch the capital campaign for their parish or school. Because this question has come up numerous times in the past year, we thought we would use this newsletter to address the issue and give our perspective. Value of a Financial Feasability Study There are usually three schools of thought about Financial Feasibility Studies: Conduct the FFS using outside and objective counsel; Conduct the FFS internally; Move to...
Opportunities Abound With “Back to School Night”
(Although updated for this upcoming school year, this newsletter on “Back to School Night,” is back by popular demand). All across the country, Catholic schools will open the doors on the 2023 – 2024 school year, either before or right after Labor Day. What a wonderful time for marketing and for Catholic leaders to step up their efforts and make a difference. These can be teachable and/or impressionable moments – with many different audiences. It all adds up to whether or not we want to change the narrative. Let’s look at the infamous “Back to School Night.” This is one...
ISPD Celebrates 34th Anniversary
In June of 1989, the Institute for School and Parish Development opened for business. This month, as we begin our 34th year of working with Catholic schools, parishes, and (arch) dioceses throughout the country, we are hosting our annual ISPD Development School right here in New Orleans from June 26th thru June 28th. The conference will be a celebration of many years of service, as ISPD associates crisscrossed the country consulting with thousands of Catholic leaders in strategic planning, enrollment management, feasibility studies, capital campaigns, annual funds, new parishioner welcome, total stewardship, development--advancement office set-up, and so much more. It has been...
Professional Development: Moving Beyond Mediocrity
With the 2022-23 fiscal year coming to a close, there is a question that many Catholic leaders face in the months of May and June: how are we going to improve our operational vitality (advancement/development, enrollment management, communications, etc.) and stewardship efforts in 2023-24? For some, it is a burning question, especially if there are new demands and new goals that are being set by boards, councils, supervisors, administrators, and others. New enrollment numbers? New annual fund numbers? More money to be raised in the development/advancement area? Need for an increase in Stewardship of Finance in the parish? Need to...
Catholic Development Resolutions for the New Year
Happy New Year! We hope the Christmas Holidays were a wonderful and blessed time for you and your family to grow closer, share stories, worship together, and get that well deserved “down time” that all of us need in order to charge the battery. Here’s wishing that 2023 may be a healthy, prosperous and joy-filled year for you, both personally and professionally. Here at ISPD, we find it beneficial if we use the month of January as a way to take a look at what resolutions are worthwhile considering in order to grow and enhance our Catholic Development efforts. Every...
Checking the Progress/Success of Your Annual Fund at the End of 2022
As the end of 2022 nears its end, now is a great time to check in on your Annual Fund and see how things are going. We have often said that a Catholic school/parish Annual Fund is the single most important Development $$$ effort that you can implement. Simply because it is not “buy and sell” like fund-raisers; it is inviting people to invest in the future of your Catholic institution with their Gift of Prayer, Gift of Service, and Gift of Financial Participation. To clarify, the Annual Fund can work in any Catholic institution. You can create, organize and...
A Christmas Story
December 23, 2025
6 min
"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.
Operational Vitality as Ministry: Reframing Development, Advancement, Enrollment, and Sustainability in Catholic Education
December 15, 2025
3 min
Operational Vitality in Catholic education is a ministry, not just an administrative function. Development, advancement, enrollment management, and sustainability are essential to the mission of Catholic schools because they support evangelization, stewardship, and long-term vitality. This article reframes operational leadership as sacred, relational work that sustains Catholic schools for future generations.
Inviting Year-End Gifts
November 20, 2025
4 min
As we approach the season of gratitude and giving, our Catholic schools and parishes often reflect on the many blessings received throughout the year—and the role each member of our community plays in advancing the mission. Year-end giving is more than a tradition; it is a vital opportunity to invite everyone to invest in the values and vision we hold dear.
It’s Go Time for Giving Tuesday & iGiveCatholic
October 14, 2025
6 min
GivingTuesday 2025 is coming fast — and for Catholic schools and parishes, this global day of generosity...
The Real Value of Hosting Your Catholic School Open House
September 16, 2025
4 min
In our 36 years of helping Catholic schools and parishes flourish, one truth stands out: there is no single event that can activate your community and communicate your mission as powerfully as a well-executed Open House. Too often, however, schools view Open House as a one-off recruitment night. The real value is far broader—it is an opportunity to foster belonging, deepen engagement, and lay down the roadways that invite new families, students, and supporters into your mission.
Institute for School and Parish Development (ISPD) Expands National Footprint by Welcoming Dan Ferris as Full-Time Associate to Lead Regional Growth with New Northeast Office
August 20, 2025
2 min
NEW ORLEANS – The Institute for School and Parish Development (ISPD), a national leader in Catholic school...
