CHARLOTTE — The 2025 Diocesan Support Appeal campaign raised $7,411,089 from 11,377 donors across the Diocese of Charlotte – surpassing the campaign goal of $6.9 million by 6%.
The theme of the 2025 Diocesan Support Appeal, “Reflecting God’s Light,” drew upon a quote from St. Francis of Assisi: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., launched the campaign by recalling the sacrifices of the early Catholics in our diocese who stretched themselves to help build up the Church in western North Carolina. “We are here today because of them,” Bishop Martin said. “What will future generations say of us? Will we have the courage and the audacity to form the world around us into the Body of Christ?
Overall, 16% of registered parishioners across the diocese gave an average donation of $651, up from an average gift of $595 in the 2024 campaign, and 75% percent of parishes and missions across the diocese reached or exceeded their campaign goal.
Parishioners in 92 parishes and missions in the Charlotte diocese support the DSA.
Parishes that exceed their goal keep the extra funds they collect, while parishes that fall short of their goal in donations from parishioners make up the shortfall from their operating budgets.
“The DSA supports our efforts to help meet the material and spiritual needs of our local communities that are growing both in numbers and diversity,” said David Walsh, the diocese’s associate director of development.
“Through the combined support of our parishioners, we are truly ‘Reflecting God’s Light’ by giving generously, which allows more than 50 ministries and programs to make an impact far beyond what one parish could do alone,” he said.
The 2025 DSA campaign continues a trend, with each annual campaign surpassing the prior year’s fundraising total every year despite the pandemic.
— Trish Stukbauer