The third meeting of European Jesuits and lay collaborators working in fundraising gathered at Oude Abdij Drongen last week.  Twenty participants from twelve provinces met to share learning from each other’s successes and failures, and to receive inputs from industry experts.

“St Ignatius was a great fundraiser.  Many of his letters were to donors, asking for money, to be sure, but more importantly, thanking them and explaining diligently to them how their money had been spent. He recognized that important truth that fundraising is not principally about money but about relationship and partnership in mission,” said Fr Jorge Serrano SJ, Fr General’s Assistant Treasurer for Development.  

Fr Jorge reminded the group of the history of Jesuit networking in fundraising.  His role was created in 2007 by Fr Kolvenbach, at which time across the world there were twelve development offices, of which ten were in the USA, also home to the only Jesuit fundraisers’ network.  Now there are 60 offices worldwide and each conference has its own network.  Europe has been a relatively late developer in this field, with fundraising mainly focused on missions and international development, and most provincial development offices being established less than five or six years.  Delegates from France, Slovenia and Austria were in the process of setting up provincial development offices, while Ireland is still discerning.

Fr Jose de Pablo SJ, Socius of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, led a workshop in which groups looked closely at ways to reach their audiences, including internal audiences. He observed, “The Jesuit conference supports groups in ministries with the expectation that they will first get to know each other and share problems and solutions, then begin to collaborate, and ultimately plan together.  Collaboration and planning is crucial as the Society faces diminishing numbers across Europe; we have to be smarter and more effective in everything we do.”

Other inputs were from John Chandler and Ryan Bergin from the development office of St Ignatius Prep School in Chicago. They described the Ignatian journey offered to their alumni and parents which combines opportunities to give, to belong to an extensive social and professional network and to receive ongoing faith formation for themselves and their families.  They raise around $10 million each year. “Giving is important and people want to show their support in this way,” explained John, “but feeling a part of the Ignatian family is also highly valued.”

Finally, fundraising consultant Friederike Hofmann reminded the group of Henry Rosso’s definition of fundraising – “the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.”