. . . LOOKING BACK
Excerpt from 'We who are One Body'
The creation and impact of FaithWorks as a dynamic response to the needs of the marginalized in the Diocese of Toronto and beyond.
by Susan McCulloch
“In 1996, Richard Garnett, former Executive Director for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto’s Sharelife campaign, was hired as the first Financial Development Officer in the history of the Diocese.”
“Garnett’s proposal was to institutionalize within the Anglican context the fund-raising model that had proven successful in the Catholic Archdiocese. One federated annual appeal would be conducted in every parish across the Diocese with proceeds benefitting outreach ministry.”
It was a controversial move. But, “the plan did have its benefits. Perhaps most significant was the fact FaithWorks would be a one-time ask that would consolidate several, competing annual appeals. FaithWorks would pick up all the costs of running a high-profile campaign in each of the 272 active congregations across the Diocese and cut down on the barrage of “asks” that parishioners were receiving each year.”
“Another benefit of FaithWorks was that it would create a sustainable stream of revenue" for ministry partners as others funding programs came to an end, such as Anglicans in Mission and Faith in Action.
"With so much at stake, but also with faith in the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire abundant generosity, the first FaithWorks Campaign was planned for the spring of 1997."
to be continued . . .
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