Appeal 2024 reaches $5 million raised; Urgent need for donations with only two months remaining in annual campaign

Appeal officials announced Appeal 2024 in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo and the Fund for the Faith has reached $5 million. As of today, the 100th annual campaign has raised $5,006,718.09, which is 52.7 percent  of this year’s $9.5 million goal.

“We are grateful for the generosity of the many who have already donated; however, we are deeply concerned that appeal progress for 2024 is running behind previous years’ campaigns,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “This means that we will need a substantial increase in the pace of donations if we are to reach the goal. Funds raised for Catholic Charities throughout the appeal stay right here in Western New York and are used exclusively to support critical programs and services in our community. If we don’t make this year’s goal, we may need to make some difficult decisions about the services we can provide moving forward.”

The annual appeal helps fund more than 50 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities along with several ministries through the Fund for the Faith. As the most comprehensive human services provider serving all eight counties of Western New York, Catholic Charities’ programs and services include behavioral health services, basic emergency assistance, food pantries, education and workforce training, family safety and stabilization programs, and immigration and refugee assistance. The Fund for the Faith provides needed funding for programs that benefit all parish faith communities, including hospital ministry, and training of ordained and lay ministers, among others.

“We know we face fundraising challenges, but more than 145,000 individuals and families of all faiths or no faith are struggling to make ends meet or in the midst of health and well-being crises,” said Kevin Gannon, Appeal 2024 chair. “They rely on Catholic Charities as a beacon of hope. With just over two months remaining, we have great faith that the community will rally together to support the annual appeal and our neighbors in need just as it has for the past 100 years.”

Donors can choose from three options: give to the appeal, which benefits both Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith; give to Catholic Charities only; or give to the Fund for the Faith only.To donate to Appeal 2024, visit ccwny.org/donate or call 716-218-1400.