CLIENT
St. Mary of False River &
Catholic of Pointe Coupee
New Roads, Louisiana
SERVICE
Strategic Plan for Operational Vitality & Financial Feasibility Study
PARTICIPANTS
More than 500
WORKING GOAL
$3.4–3.8 million
The Challenge
St. Mary of False River and Catholic of Pointe Coupee share a campus, a Catholic mission, and important long-term facility needs. Leaders needed a process that could engage parishioners and school families, identify their most urgent operational challenges, and determine which projects the combined community could realistically support.
The work required Catholic parish and school strategic planning first—and an objective financial feasibility study before any campaign decisions were made.
The Approach
Beginning in fall 2024, ISPD facilitated an Assessment, Executive Committee, Steering Committee, Ultimate Question Survey, two Strategic Planning Workshops, and a parish- and school-wide Convocation. Seven challenges emerged, were ranked in priority order, and were assigned to four Implementation Teams supported by 53 volunteers.
When two facility challenges rose to the top, one Task Force carried them into the Exploration–Discovery–Feasibility process. ISPD conducted seven Input and Listening Sessions, a 269-response in-pew survey, a 131-response online survey, 49 confidential interviews, and 14 direct-mail questionnaires.
The findings shaped a unified campaign recommendation: one banner, gifts designable to parish, school, or shared priorities, transparent reporting, and three shared case points.
The Results
More than 500 people participated in the planning and feasibility work. All 49 interviewed leaders were Favorable or Very Favorable toward a campaign, and 98% rated the parish Outstanding or Above Average. Although seven proposed projects totaled approximately $10.7 million, the evidence supported a focused working goal of $3.4 million to $3.8 million. The parish and school are now discerning final case points as historic St. Francis Chapel approaches its 300th anniversary.
53
people volunteered for four Implementation Teams
500+
people participated in planning and feasibility
$3.4–3.8M
recommended unified campaign working goal
The Lesson
Strategic planning creates the priorities; feasibility testing determines the achievable path. A unified campaign can honor both parish and school needs when designations and reporting remain clear and transparent.
