Keeping the pledge

Posted November 21, 2002

Some people who have pledged money to the Centennial Campaign for Excellence, have found their financial situation has changed since they made their original pledge.

Jim Wharton, director of stewardship and planned giving for the diocese, said that in some cases there have been illnesses and in other cases people have lost jobs.

"We certainly understand that situations and circumstances change," he said.

According to Jim Steier, president of the Omaha-based development firm that managed the campaign, in any campaign there are going to be some donors who make a pledge and then may fall behind on their pledge payment.

"Instead of ignoring those and letting them go, we want to follow-up with them personally to discuss their situations," he noted.

The diocese is aware that in some unique situations follow through with the pledge may not be possible.

"In many cases, people are very grateful for the follow up because when they make a pledge they usually want to fulfill it," said Steier.

The diocese is willing to work with an individual on arrangements that will enable them to fulfill the pledge.

"If someone has a pledge that they cannot honor and they need six months off, we will certainly work with them," stressed Wharton. "We have had a couple of people in the diocese who have asked for a year extension on a five-year pledge due to an illness in the family."

He said the diocese will do whatever they can to accommodate people's special needs.