Diocese of Wichita

THE CHALLENGE

In an initial partnership with the Steier Group, this nationally-recognized stewardship diocese faced challenges common to many dioceses: an aging cathedral badly in need of renovation, demographically-challenged schools in need of financial assistance and higher-than-typical seminarian enrollment needing funding. The Steier Group provided the support needed to bring this goal to reality, and a deep respect and unity with diocesan and Steier Group leaders was formed.

After a successful campaign a decade-and-a-half before, the Diocese of Wichita would once again look at extraordinary need throughout the community to be addressed. This time, schools, programs for families and youth and other material needs for vulnerable populations under the dioceses care would come first.

THE VISION

Diocesan leaders were keenly aware of how much time and effort had gone into the diocese achieving its successful stewardship model. Now, seasoned with experience from a successful capital campaign in the past, diocesan leadership knew a campaign would not jeopardize the real Christian stewardship grounding this community. New goals included:

• Enhancing teacher salaries.
• Creating a Catholic Youth and Family Camp.
• Providing funds for material needs for underprivileged populations.
• Renovating the cathedral domes and windows.
• Meeting individual parish needs with a portion retained for participating parishes.

THE SOLUTION

After a successful first campaign with the Steier Group, the Diocese of Wichita chose to partner again with the team to design a second unique campaign that skillfully blended the best practices of fundraising with the diocese’s commitment to stewardship as a way of life. With the leadership of the bishop and diocesan office of development leadership firmly committed to the campaign, the Steier Group could effectively create and strategically implement a coordinated effort throughout the diocese to exceed the campaign goal. The success of the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Capital Campaign is a testament to the strength of the diocesan family: thousands of donors, hundreds of volunteers and countless acts of stewardship and witness that will bear fruit in parishes, schools and ministries for years to come.