Southwark Report Internals final single

IMPACT
REPORT
promotion of Gift Aid to maximise donations, in-memory
giving and funeral collections, and provide advice and
support to parishes to apply for a charitable grant from a
Foundations or Trust.
In 2021, the Fundraising Team helped parishes improve
their Planned Giving and Gift Aid income and set up
their online donation platforms and contactless / card
donation devices. These two areas of improvement
were particularly important given the on-going effects
of COVID-19 and changes to the way in which people
are donating. The Team also helped parishes successfully
apply for charitable grants to support local parish
building projects.
Vocations:
https://rcaos.org.uk/vocations/
At Diocesan level, ministries, and services, such as
the training of priests and the care of retired and sick
clergy, are directly supported through fundraising
efforts, including appeals to parishioners via direct mail
or announcements at Mass accompanied by Gift Aid
envelopes. In 2021, the Fundraising Team re-launched
the Clergy Support Fund appeal with great success,
increasing the number of regular monthly givers to
this fund from 100 to over 500. Likewise, the Priest
Training Fund second collection was promoted in
parishes, garnering donations, and new regular monthly
supporters. Three people also reached out to Fr Paul,
Southwark Vocations Director, to explore their religious
vocational calling. The Fundraising Team also oversaw
the administration of legacy gifts received by the charity,
taking great care to ensure executors and family were
treated compassionately, professionally and with dignity.
In 2021, the Fundraising Team set up a Priests’ Advisory
Committee on Development, made up of members
of the fundraising and finance team and five parish
priests and deacons from across the Archdiocese. This
committee seeks to support the work of the Fundraising
Team by providing advice and review of upcoming
fundraising projects and activities. The Fundraising Team
also worked collaboratively with Communications, IT and
other central service teams to launch the new Diocese
Website and Parish Resource Centre, making it easier
for people to support the work of the Archdiocese and
its parishes, and to provide comprehensive fundraising
support to parish priests and parish finance committees
via the resource centre. The Fundraising Team also
launched a Gift Aid Coordinators Review Group, bringing
together six expert parish Gift Aid coordinators to
conduct a 360-degree review of Gift Aid processes and
systems. The results of this work will materialise in
2022 with a relaunch of Gift Aid resources and training,
for the benefit of all parishes within the Archdiocese of
Southwark.
Fundraising is an integral part of supporting the life and
mission of the Church, but it is a means to an end, and
that is in building up God’s Kingdom through service
to God’s people. The Archdiocese of Southwark is
committed to exhibiting the best fundraising practices
in all its activities, showing respect for people first
and foremost, and ensuring donated funds are used
accountably and responsibly.
Father Michael Leach
Age: 75 • Ordained: 1971 • Retired: 3 years
Donate to the Clergy
Support Fund:
The Diocese provided me with a beautiful little flat
when I retired. I’m fully domesticated, so living
alone I do my own shopping, cooking, washing up,
washing and ironing, and cleaning.
Despite being in retirement, I continue to take
interviews for the Marriage Tribunal. I study the
cases, and meet with other judges. This certainly
helps to keep my mind active! Also, I help out
with Sunday Masses when a Parish Priest goes on
holiday or needs a break.
May God reward you for your generosity.
Fr Michael Leach
17