Generation to Generation: Answer the Call is a capital campaign with a goal to raise $300 million+ in gifts and pledges to strengthen local parishes, spiritually renew our parishes, support our priests, and assist vulnerable communities.

The Archdiocese of Chicago is at a pivotal moment in shaping the future of our local church. Today confident of God’s grace, we are being called to take up with fresh energy the mission of Christ by reimagining our Catholic presence, ministries and service. Through the campaign we aim to strengthen all our parishes in Cook and Lake counties.

All parishes in the archdiocese will participate in the campaign.

Parishes will conduct their own Generation to Generation campaigns, supported by a member of the campaign team and relying on the following five principles to reach their targets:

• Prayer
• Personal visits
• Proportional giving
• Phase-by-phase approach
• Pledged gifts

Yes, the ACA will continue to be conducted annually. Generation to Generation is a capital campaign to meet the future needs of the archdiocese, while the ACA helps fund the ongoing ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago each year. The campaign office will work with parishes to educate parishioners on the difference between Generation to Generation and the Annual Catholic Appeal.

Parish goals will be set at 130% of the parish's offertory income from the most recent available fiscal year. In line with Annual Catholic Appeal practice, a few parishes serving low-income communities will have goals of 100% of their latest fiscal year offertory. These parishes will be determined using known financial and demographic information of the parish community including U.S. Census data.

Funds designated for the shared ministries of Generation to Generation will be allocated based on the  percentages outlined in the campaign case statement. These funds will be directed to ministries as needs arise, regardless of whether the overall campaign goal has been met. Parishes will retain 50 cents of each dollar up to goal, 80 cents of each dollar after surpassing the goal in cash payments, and 100% of each dollar after surpassing 200% of the parish's goal in cash payments.

Donors will be asked to consider a gift above and beyond their offertory giving. Offertory is expected to remain constant during Generation to Generation’s five-year pledge period.

Every family in the archdiocese will be asked to consider a sacrificial gift to Generation to Generation in the spirit of Christian stewardship. The suggested request amounts will vary from donor to donor.

Pledges may be paid in installments over five years, allowing families to make larger commitments than they might otherwise consider. Pledged gifts are typically four to five times larger than a one-time gift.

While not required, many donors are eager to begin fulfilling their pledges. In addition, an initial payment is a strong indication of a donor’s commitment to completing a campaign pledge. Initial payment checks should be made payable to: Generation to Generation: Answer the Call campaign.

After the initial collection of pledge forms at the parish level, the archdiocese will administer the pledge follow-up process. Donors will be given the option of making payments annually, quarterly or monthly for up to five years by check, credit/debit card, automated debit to checking account and securities. Checks should be made payable to: Generation to Generation: Answer the Call campaign.

Pledge cards record and acknowledge campaign commitments as well as provide donors with a reminder of their requested payment schedule. Donors sign the pledge card to authorize the terms of their gift.

You will receive an acknowledgement of your gift for tax purposes. Please also consult with tax and financial experts.

Together, led by the Holy Spirit, we will renew Christ’s Church. This generational effort will focus on two initiatives: The Archdiocesan Renewal Center and digital outreach for people exploring faith. Our Renewal Center will focus on intentional on-the-ground support of parishes, an ongoing calendar of renewal workshops and events, and ongoing faith research. The digital outreach platform will feature tailored online workshops and curated content, hosted on a digital platform, that will invite those who are spiritually hungry to spiritual exploration based on their own attitudes, preference and prior experiences.

Funds will be used to priest pastoral and professional development, and the care and well-being of our priests through health-care and retirement programs.

The Parish Vitality Fund will support parishes in vibrant but low-income communities through critical capital maintenance or improvement, operating support for vibrant ministry or service, and grants to help ignite parish renewal.

No money donated to Generation to Generation: Answer the Call will be used to defray expenses related to misconduct issues.

You are able to change or modify your pledge at any time. Please call the Stewardship and Development Office at 312.534.8500.

The archdiocese will distribute campaign updates and good news to parishioners and parishes throughout the campaign.

The To Teach Who Christ Is campaign allowed the archdiocese to invest generously in local parish needs,
support scholarships for Catholic school families, increase funding for religious education and met critical
facility needs. To learn more visit giving.archchicago.org/ttwci/your-impact.