Questions about Making Room

Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus is a diocese-wide philanthropic challenge that seeks to strengthen our faith communities, serve people in need and secure the future of the Church across western North Carolina.

Rooted in Bishop Michael Martin’s pastoral vision, “Everyone so loves Jesus, we share Him with others,” this challenge invites every Catholic in the diocese to reflect on the gifts they have received from God and to consider how they are called to respond through prayer, participation and sacrificial generosity.

Through this transformational effort, we will build up our parishes and ministries and expand our ability to share the love of Jesus with others.

We stand at a pivotal moment in the life of the Diocese of Charlotte. Since our founding in 1972, the Catholic population has grown from 34,000 to more than 575,000 with continued growth each year. Our parishes are experiencing both the opportunities and challenges that come with this rapid growth.

• Many parishes are facing financial and physical limitations, with some outgrowing their facilities or lacking resources for needed improvements.
• Catholic Charities is serving a growing number of individuals and families, including responding to major events such as Hurricane Helene.
• The need for strong Catholic education, lay leadership and clergy formation continues to increase.
• Population growth across the region is creating an urgent need to plan for future parishes and ministry sites.

Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus responds to this moment by providing the resources needed to strengthen our parishes, expand our ministries and prepare the Church for continued growth.

We stand at a pivotal moment in the life of the Diocese of Charlotte. Since our founding in 1972, the Catholic population has grown from 34,000 to more than 575,000 with continued growth each year. Our parishes are experiencing both the opportunities and challenges that come with this rapid growth.

• Many parishes are facing financial and physical limitations, with some outgrowing their facilities or lacking resources for needed improvements.
• Catholic Charities is serving a growing number of individuals and families, including responding to major events such as Hurricane Helene.
• The need for strong Catholic education, lay leadership and clergy formation continues to increase.
• Population growth across the region is creating an urgent need to plan for future parishes and ministry sites.

Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus responds to this moment by providing the resources needed to strengthen our parishes, expand our ministries and prepare the Church for continued growth.

We are inviting people to reflect on how God has blessed them and to respond in gratitude with sacrificial gifts. The greatest spiritual fruit of this challenge will be witnessed when each Catholic in our region takes these steps in faith:

• Prayerfully reflect on the blessings God has given me (Psalm 136)
• Determine to give back not from my surplus, but from my want (Mark 12:41-44)
• Know that God of Plenty will bless me even more when I trust Him (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

The goal of Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus is $150 million. Funds raised will support three priority areas:

1. Outreach to People in Need — $42 million

Catholic Charities — $29 million

• $19 million to expand and modernize facilities, including establishing a standalone presence and enhancing regional hubs.
• $10 million endowment to provide permanent funding for programs and disaster response.

Support for Under-Resourced Parishes and Ministries — $13 million

• Establishes a fund to provide grants to parishes and missions with limited financial resources, helping address urgent needs and long-term challenges.

2. Strengthen Our Faith Communities — $63 million

Local Parish Needs — $50 million

• Supports parish capital projects, repairs, expansions, and parish endowments. A significant portion of funds raised will go directly back to parishes to address their most pressing needs.

Campus Ministry — $5 million

• Establishes endowments to provide sustainable funding for growing campus ministry programs serving college students across the diocese.

Land Purchases for Future Growth — $8 million

• Expands the Diocese’s landbank to secure property for future parishes and ministry sites in high-growth areas.

3. Secure Our Future — $45 million

Catholic Schools — $20 million

• Creates an endowment to expand financial aid, support teachers and strengthen Catholic schools for future generations.

Lay Leader Formation — $10 million

• Establishes endowments to expand formation programs, equipping lay leaders to serve and share the faith more effectively.

Seminarian and Deacon Formation — $3 million

• Provides endowment support for the education and formation of future priests and deacons.

Catholic Conference Center (Hickory) — $12 million

• $10 million for renovations and expansion of retreat facilities.
• $2 million endowment to keep the center accessible and affordable.

In May 2025, the diocese partnered with Community Counseling Services (CCS) to conduct a six-month planning study to gather widespread consultation on a diocese-wide philanthropic initiative to assess support for the funding needs, the feasibility of a $150 million goal, and secure feedback on the timeline and plan.

CCS conducted 135 private discussions with 64 clergy, 61 lay leaders, 8 diocesan staff, Bishop Martin and Monsignor Winslow. They also gathered feedback from an electronic survey sent to over 7,000 top donors, with an over 40% response rate exceeding the expected response of 5%-10%.

Based on these results, 80% of respondents said they were supportive of the funding elements and would financially support this effort. 80% ranked the Diocese of Charlotte and their churches as one of their highest philanthropic priorities.

At the recommendation of a panel of clergy and lay leaders, the diocese elected to move forward with this effort and the goal of $150 million based on the results of the planning study.

Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus is a diocese-wide initiative involving all 93 parishes and missions across the Diocese of Charlotte. All Catholics in the diocese will be invited to participate through a five-year pledge and also an estate gift. Parishioners will be asked to prayerfully consider a gift based on their own ability and circumstances.

Each parish/mission will take part during an assigned time between June 2026 and Spring 2028. This schedule allows the effort to be carried out in an organized way across the diocese.

At the parish level, this effort will include:

• Identifying local funding needs
• Engaging parish leaders and volunteers
• Inviting parishioners to make a five-year pledge and an estate gift

Each parish/mission will carry out its effort with guidance and support from the diocese and CCS.

Through this approach, parishes and missions receive support for their local priorities while also contributing to shared diocesan ministries.

Each parish/mission is given a financial goal based on a consistent formula used across the diocese. The goal is calculated as 145% of the parish’s offertory income from FY July 2024 – June 2025.

These goals are not assessments. They are intended to be achievable through participation from parishioners over a five-year pledge period.

Funds raised through Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus are shared between the parish and the diocesan ministries based on a clear structure.

For a standard parish effort:

• 50% of funds raised will go to the parish/mission to support its local needs.
• 50% of funds raised will support diocesan ministries which will benefit the parishioners.

An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched but the income from which can be used in accordance with the wishes of the donor organization or individual.

The principal as it is defined includes the initial contribution given to establish the endowment as well as all additional contributions to the endowment.

The assets of the endowment grow through sound investment policies and from additional gifts.

As part of Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus, parishes are asked to dedicate a portion of the funds they receive to an endowment.

At least 25% of parish funds will be set aside in this way, with encouragement to invest more when possible.

This approach helps parishes address immediate needs while also building a stable financial foundation for the future.

Parishes will still receive funding to address their current needs. At the same time, setting aside a portion of funds in an endowment creates a reliable source of income for the future.

This balance allows parishes to meet today’s needs while also preparing for what lies ahead, helping ensure long-term stability and support for parish life.

Funds raised up to 140% of the parish goal will continue to be shared 50% to the parish/mission and 50% to the diocese.

Any funds raised beyond 140% of the goal will go 100% to the parish/mission.

This allows parishes to benefit directly from strong participation and encourages continued engagement.

Parishes and missions are expected to make a good faith effort in carrying out the initiative.

These goals are not assessments. If a parish/mission does not reach its goal, it will still receive 50% of the funds collected to support its local needs.

Making Room is different from the Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA) in both purpose and scope.

DSA provides annual support for the day-to-day operations of the diocese, including ministries, programs and services that serve parishes each year.

Making Room is a special, time-limited initiative that focuses on larger needs across the diocese and our churches, including parish improvements, expanded outreach through Catholic Charities and long-term investments such as endowments.

Parishioners will be asked to continue their regular support of DSA while also considering a separate five-year pledge to this initiative and an estate gift.

Bishop Martin is leading Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus and is actively involved throughout the initiative.

He is leading a Leadership Gift Phase through June 2027, working personally and with a Leadership Gifts Cabinet to invite significant gifts, with a goal of raising $50 million.

Bishop Martin is presenting this initiative as a shared effort across the diocese. He is inviting Catholics to prayerfully reflect on the blessing God has given them and give back from want, not from their surplus.

Five-year pledges are encouraged because they make it easier for parishioners to make a more meaningful gift.

By spreading a gift over time, individuals and families can contribute in a way that fits within their budget while still making a significant impact.

This approach also provides steady support for parishes and diocesan ministries as funds are received and distributed over the life of the initiative.

There are many ways throughout the challenge to make a pledge.

During your local parish effort, pledges will be secured through personal visits by pastors and volunteers. Additionally, small receptions and events will be held throughout the local parish campaign.

If you would like to make a pledge but have not yet met with your pastor or a volunteer, or attended an event, please contact the Making Room Office by email at MakingRoom@rcdoc.org or by phone at 704-323-6484.

Yes. Donors may choose to make a gift using appreciated securities, such as stocks, IRAs or Donor-Advised Funds.

A planned gift is a gift that is arranged in advance, often through a will, an irrevocable trust or other estate plan.

It allows a person to leave a portion of their assets at their death/passing to support their parish/mission, the diocese, or a specific ministry in the future.

Planned gifts are a way to make a lasting contribution and support the Church beyond one’s lifetime.

Parishioners will be invited to consider making a planned gift as part of Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus.

However, planned gifts are not counted toward the initiative’s fundraising goal because they are typically received at a later time.

Instead, they are tracked separately and play an important role in supporting the long-term strength of the Church.

Gifts made to the initiative are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

For most outright gifts, including cash, checks, appreciated securities and qualifying planned gifts, donors may claim a charitable contribution deduction consistent with IRS regulations.

For any questions you may email MakingRoom@rcdoc.org or call us at 704-323-6484.