The Diocese of Wichita has a reputation that stretches far beyond this rural Kansas diocese of 90 parishes. Across the country, it’s admired as the stewardship diocese – where giving is a way of life.
For the past 40 years, Wichita’s parishes have embraced the call to give generously, sacrificially and proportionally. It’s a spiritual commitment that has allowed the diocese’s Catholic schools to thrive without tuition, kept second collections off the calendar, eliminated the need for a diocesan annual appeal and fueled thriving ministries.
When the diocese decided to embark on the largest capital campaign in its history, it didn’t start from scratch. It built on decades of deep trust, shared mission and generosity.
A BOLD VISION
In 2024, Bishop Carl Kemme and diocesan leaders launched the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign – an ambitious plan to raise $50 million for projects and ministries that touched nearly every corner of the diocese.
The campaign’s goals were clear and compelling:
- Create teacher salary enhancement endowments at each of the diocese’s 38 Catholic schools.
Repair the cathedral’s copper domes and stained-glass windows, preserving its beauty for generations.
Establish a family and youth camp, creating a new space for faith formation, evangelization and community.
Create the In Love of God and Neighbor Fund to provide ongoing support for ministries.
Give back to parishes, ensuring every local faith community shared in the campaign’s blessings.
The Steier Group, which helped the diocese run a campaign in 2010, was once again trusted to help lead the effort.
The campaign exceeded all expectations. The diocese raised more than $60.2 million – $10 million more than the diocese’s public goal and beyond the Steier Group’s projection.
STEWARDSHIP AS THE FOUNDATION
For Mike Wescott, who has served the Diocese of Wichita for nearly 25 year – 21 of them as director of development and planned giving – the success of the campaign is inseparable from the stewardship culture.
“Stewardship as a way of life is the platform,” Wescott said. “It’s the base – and rising out of that is a development or fundraising function.” In other words, spirituality is the foundation from which successful fundraising can be built.
That structure is reflected in the diocese’s unique organization, which has two distinct offices: one for development and planned giving, and another for evangelization, discipleship and stewardship.
Connor Meier, assistant director of development and planned giving, emphasized that the campaign was wrapped in prayer from start to finish – at the direction of Bishop Carl Kemme.
Meier mentioned that on the pledge card, there was even a box that parishioners could check to decline to give financially but commit to praying for the success of the campaign.
“I think people get that stuff costs money and five big priorities are going to have five big price tags equaling one bigger price tag. But when you lead off with those stories … that’s what formed the campaign,” he said.
For example, the youth and family camp was expensive, but the campaign framed it as an evangelization tool. Some priests in the diocese traced their vocation back to Catholic schools and Totus Tuus camp experiences.
Parishioners were able to see how regular giving of time, talent and treasure had shaped the faith of future clergy and community leaders. Meier emphasized that storytelling showed the tangible impact of stewardship, inspiring donors to support the campaign financially and spiritually.
A CAMPAIGN THAT STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY
In Wichita, stewardship is about more than financial giving. Prayer and service are equally important. During the campaign, more than 700 parishioners volunteered their time.
For many younger priests, this was their first diocesan-wide capital campaign. The positive, collaborative experience has left them energized and confident about the future.
That confidence has spread beyond the clergy. Regular parish giving actually grew during the campaign – up 6.9% compared to the 18 months prior. Wescott attributed this to decades of teaching stewardship and to the unwavering policy of putting a donor’s parish first. If a gift to the campaign risked reducing parish support, donors were encouraged to prioritize their parish.
WHY WICHITA CHOSE THE STEIER GROUP – AGAIN
When it was time to select a campaign partner, Wescott and Meier sent requests for proposals to four fundraising and development companies and interviewed three. In the end, history and familiarity mattered.
“We’ve had a 15-plus-year track record with the Steier Group,” Wescott said. “They’re flexible and willing to change course if needed. That happened during this campaign – we had a few glitches, called an audible and they adapted immediately.”
Meier agreed, noting that the Steier Group brought its own playbook but the team working in Wichita was happy to “rip out a page” or add something new to fit the diocese’s culture. “They didn’t try to force it. They were true collaborators.”
Steier Group CEO Matt Vuorela described the approach this way: “Our goal is always to become a seamless part of our clients’ culture. We work hard to understand their unique needs and tailor our approach to help them succeed. Wichita’s results are a testament to the effectiveness of that collaborative mindset.”
LESSONS FOR OTHER DIOCESES
Wescott and Meier offered some advice for other dioceses and parishes conducting capital campaigns:
- Start with a culture of stewardship: Teach it and live it.
- Wrap everything in prayer: Make spiritual participation as important as financial giving.
- Communicate a clear, compelling vision: Connect giving directly to mission.
- Engage everyone: Don’t leave out smaller donors. From major donors to those offering only prayers, every role matters.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the Fully Alive! campaign, the Diocese of Wichita has shown that stewardship and strategic fundraising can be – maybe even should be – complementary parts of the same mission.
The campaign’s legacy will be seen in thriving ministries, strengthened parishes, inspired clergy and engaged parishioners. Through thoughtful communication, prayer and shared vision, Wichita has shown how a diocese can unite around both faith and generosity.
