Lilly grant will fund array of programs through 2018

The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. recently awarded a $1 million grant to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to help advance the leadership and financial literacy of clergy and other pastoral leaders across central and southern Indiana.

The “Empowering Pastoral Leaders for Excellence in Parish Leadership and Management” grant will fund an array of programs through 2018 to achieve this goal. The programs include:

Catholic Leadership 360—Developed by the National Leadership Council on Church Management and the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, this program assesses the communications, leadership, relationship, planning and personal management skills of pastors and parish life coordinators through feedback gained through interviews by trained staff of people to whom they report and with whom and to whom these pastoral leaders minister.

Creating Cultures of Generosity—This seminar will help parish staff members give a new perspective on giving and generosity in members of their parish communities. The seminar is sponsored by the Indianapolis-based Lake Institute on Faith and Giving.

Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising—This four-day intensive program helps pastoral leaders gain practical applications of the cultural, organizational and philanthropic principles unique to religious organizations which help donors grow in spiritual motivation and religious values in their giving. It is sponsored by the Lake Institute.

Ministerial Excellence Fund—This fund will provide grants to priests, deacons serving on parish staffs and lay ecclesial ministers dealing with large amounts of personal debt with such causes as student loans and catastrophic illness. Helping clergy and lay ecclesial ministers resolve personal debt helps them become more effective ministers.

Pastors Toolbox—Developed by the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management, this program helps new pastors understand day-to-day management skills needed in parish leadership that will help their faith communities live out the Gospel with vibrancy. †

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