FINAL ‘ALIVE IN HOPE’ REPORT

                                                  SHOWS $78 MILLION SUCCESS

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s historic “Alive in Hope” capital and endowment campaign sought $50 million, but parishioners went far beyond that by contributing an unanticipated $67,347,306, according to a report issued to mark the end of the fund-raising effort on April 30.

            “Back in l995, when ‘Alive in Hope’ began, many quite understandably believed the goal was unrealistic---and I had my own doubts,” said Msgr. John J. Bracken, the Vicar for Temporalities, “but Bishop (Thomas) Daily and the professionals at Community Counselling Service thought differently, and the results prove they were right.”

            Msgr. Bracken, who directed the campaign for the Bishop, said the contributions had their own life because $11,142,127 derived as investment income raised the revenues to $78,489,433.

            Parishes benefited considerably from “Alive in Hope.” A statistical summary sent to pastors last month stated that parishes received $35,077,529 for local projects. Campaign guidelines set a goal for each parish. When the goal was met, half the proceeds were returned to the parish. For funds contributed over goal, the parish received 75 percent.

            “Projects ranging from church and school repairs to the strengthening of parish programs were able to happen because of  ‘Alive in Hope’ funds,” Msgr. Bracken said.

            A second major beneficiary was the Alive in Hope Foundation, which received $33,045,595. The foundation was formed to support spiritual, educational and social needs “for years to come,” said Thomas F. Flood, now the director of the Stewardship and Development Office of the Diocese.

Because the Annual Stewardship Appeal was suspended for a year at the beginning of “Alive in Hope,” $4 million from the investment income was allocated for that purpose in l996.

            The income from investments also absorbed campaign expenses, including professional fees, salaries, office costs, printing and postage, in the amount of  $6,366,309.

            Thomas Kissane, the Community Counselling Service executive who guided the campaign for the firm, called “Alive in Hope” an “unprecedented success.”

            The Brooklyn campaign encouraged other dioceses to follow suit, he said, “because they saw a totally urban diocese accomplish results they thought might not be possible.”

            According to Mr. Kissane, no diocesan campaign had ever obtained more than 5,000 gifts of $5,000 or more up to that time. “There is no question that it was the first time,” he said.

            “The clergy were most effective in communicating with their parishioners,” he said, “especially in light of the initial trepidation about the campaign.”

He said Bishop Daily “was terrific in his support and generous in the sharing formula he initiated with the parishes.”

            Mr. Flood called “Alive in Hope” “an incredible story of generosity,” adding that “through the generous hearts of others, the Gospel message of love can be shared with those we serve today and those we will serve tomorrow.”