When my husband and I sat down at the dinner table each night at the beginning of this school year, it regularly felt like we were entering a battlefield—algebra homework with our 13-year-old daughter. The frustration had been palpable for weeks as we struggled through concepts that felt increasingly out of reach. Having been blessed to work with brilliant Catholic school educators across the country, I knew when to ask for help and when to defer to the experts in the room—because clearly, we were not those experts. The idea that soon we’d only have to endure math homework with her, even one less time each week, felt like a lifeline.
One of her teachers from her Catholic school graciously agreed to provide weekly support and we were ecstatic. I made a clear request: help her with her homework twice a week. However, her teacher kindly but firmly pushed back, suggesting instead that they focus their time on the core concepts she was struggling with rather than simply supporting homework. This feedback felt like a setback, as we had hoped for an immediate reprieve. Regardless, we trusted his expertise and took his more intentional and less reactive approach.
Unsurprisingly, within three weeks our daughter was tackling her math homework independently. This experience reminded me of the value of the "strategic pause"—of intentionally taking a moment to plan and refocus, even when it feels you are under unmanageable pressure. In Catholic education, where immediate needs constantly arise, this concept holds particular value, especially in the realm of advancement.
Fundraising in education often feels like a race to meet critical needs. The “right now” almost always feels existential. But what if we could go beyond that mindset? Instead of focusing solely on short-term goals, imagine if we took a proactive, long-term approach, pausing to think deliberately about how advancement efforts and fundraising could help fulfill the broader mission of Catholic education. By dedicating time to purposeful planning, we could shift from simply meeting financial demands (or this year’s budget) to building a foundation for sustainable growth and stability.
Consider for a moment the impact that small but meaningful changes could have. If each school committed to increasing its funds raised by 10 percent over the next 12 months, the cumulative effect would be transformative. These funds could help fill tuition gaps, provide critical professional development for staff, support underprivileged students or provide exceptional learner support. What do you think your school could do with an extra 10 percent of all of your funds raised?
In Catholic education, it is easy to remain in reactive mode, addressing urgent needs as they arise because there is no shortage of needs. However, consider the potential if you allow yourself to pause, step back and think ahead. This "strategic pause" does not mean stopping everything but granting yourself the time and perspective to build a more sustainable, impactful future. By approaching advancement work with a mindset that values being measured and deliberate, you will begin to feel less like you are constantly in triage mode.
As educators, administrators and leaders, your mission goes beyond the daily tasks of teaching and management. You are stewards of a larger vision that includes operational vitality, ensuring every student has access to a well-rounded, faith-based education. As defined by NCEA, operational vitality encompasses the effective management of finances, human resources, facilities and institutional advancement to ensure the sustainability and growth of Catholic schools (NCEA, 2023). As you can see, it involves much more than meeting this year’s budget; it is about creating a resilient foundation to sustain our schools and strive for solvency.
Building a sustainable future for our schools requires more than just meeting immediate needs; it involves a thoughtful, goal-oriented approach. This concept, often referred to as the ‘means-ends logic of strategic action,’ highlights the importance of setting clear intentions, defining goals and planning carefully. By embracing this approach, school leaders can create a pathway that addresses current challenges while also laying the groundwork for lasting impact (Chia & Holt, 2023).
Building a sustainable future does not always require sweeping changes; sometimes, minor, well-thought-out adjustments can make a major impact.
For example, implementing a "Donate Now" button on your website can boost donations by up to 190 percent, providing a much-needed lift in fundraising efforts (Donorbox, 2023). Furthermore, selecting a platform that enhances the donor experience can significantly increase the amount donated. Research shows that organizations prioritizing donor experience see a 47 percent increase in year-over-year donations (EverTrue, 2023).
Another small change that can net big rewards is evaluating your fundraising technology provider. Choosing one with a lower or free fee structure and keeping a keen eye out for hidden fees and inflated platform fees can immediately save a substantial amount of money.
Schools can also strengthen donor engagement through storytelling highlighting their unique charisms and missions. Storytelling is a powerful tool in fundraising; it captures attention, builds emotional connections and enhances donor engagement by illustrating the direct impact of contributions. Studies have shown that donors who feel emotionally connected to a cause are more likely to increase their giving and continue supporting that mission (Nonprofit Hub, 2023).
Imagine if every Catholic school in the country implemented even one of these strategies. The collective impact could be remarkable, creating a ripple effect that amplifies the mission of Catholic education nationwide. By rethinking our approach to advancement and taking an occasional "strategic pause," we are not just working towards solvency and the ability to thrive—we are investing in the future of our schools and the current and subsequent students who walk their halls.
Crystal Berryis head of global partnerships for BetterWorld and former executive vice president of business development and marketing at NCEA and previously served as an advancement director for the Diocese of Sacramento.
crystal@betterworld.org