Southwark Report Internals final single

Fundraising and Gift Aid
The Fundraising Department is a team working within the central
services of the Archdiocese of Southwark. It exists to support the
mission and ministry of the Archdiocese, its parishes, and entities,
through an active, comprehensive, and professional programme
of fundraising. The Archdiocese of Southwark recognises it has
a great responsibility to carry out fundraising in ways that are
consistent with the principles of Christian stewardship and in the
spirit of generosity. Catholic priest, theologian and writer, Henri
iving
Nouwen aptly described fundraising as:
“
Fundraising is a rich and beautiful activity. It is a confident,
joyful, and hope-filled expression of ministry. Fundraising
is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer
other people an opportunity to participate with us in our
vision and mission. Whether we are asking for money or
giving money, we are drawn together by God, who is about to
do a new thing through our collaboration.”
The Archdiocese of Southwark’s Fundraising Team
strives to take a dignified approach to fundraising,
rooted in respect for donors and parishes, all within a
framework that is transparent and efficient. Fundraising
will always involve the highest ethical standards
and will comply with all aspects of UK law and the
standards set out by the Charities Commission,
Fundraising Regulator and in accordance with data
protection rules (GDPR). Fundraising activities will
seek to invite supporters to share their God given
gifts of prayer, time, talents, and financial blessings
with the charity. Fundraising activities will be built on
personal relationships and approaches, which seek
proportionate responses from parishioners to fund the
official priorities of the local parish or Archdiocese. The
Trustees have systems in place to monitor and respond
to due diligence issues surrounding large gifts received
by the charity. The Trustees also have systems in place
to monitor and respond to any complaints received.
We are pleased to say that in 2021, the Archdiocese of
Southwark received no complaints about fundraising and
there were no complaints received by the Fundraising
Regulator about the Charity.
In the Archdiocese of Southwark, we are blessed and
grateful to have thousands of committed and generous
Catholics who give their time and financial support,
week in and week out, to further the mission of their
parish and the diocese-wide work of the Church. The
running costs of the parishes are met through the regular
giving of the faithful via the offertory collections and
supplemented, on occasion, by legacy gifts. Parishes
also undertake various fundraising activities and events
throughout the year to supplement their income.
Some churches apply to Foundations and Trusts for a
charitable grant to support specific parish or capital
building projects. The diversity of cultures and traditions
within the parishes of the Archdiocese also drive a
variety of approaches and responses to fundraising.
The Fundraising Team support parishes with their
fundraising in several ways. Primarily this takes place
through Planned Giving and Stewardship Drives, which
seek to encourage parishioners to share their personal
and financial gifts with their parish. The Fundraising
Team also support parishes to set up contactless / card
machine devices, donate online, legacy awareness,
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