The US Office of the World Council of Churches Welcomes Caroline Hennessy
US Director of Development
Caroline Hennessy
Caroline Hennessy has joined the World Council of Churches as Director of Development. Hennessy, a Roman Catholic, assumed her new position on July 1, 2005.
Hennessy comes to the WCC with a diverse fundraising background. Most recently, she raised funds and worked closely with the families of Port Authority police officers who died on 9/11/01 for the Port Authority Police World Trade Disaster Survivors Fund. Until 9/11/01 she was a consultant for Changing Our World. Her many clients there included Catholic health foundations, some of the most prestigious secondary schools in the East and IMEC, an international medical equipment collaborative that recycled and refinished used medical equipment from American hospitals and sent them to hospitals and clinics in the developing world.
Hennessy Brings Diverse Background In Religious Fundraising
Her professional foundation is in religious fundraising. She was Executive Director of the Central City School Fund in Kansas City, Missouri, where for three years she coordinated fundraising and fund operations to provide scholarships and operating support for seven Catholic schools in the urban core of Kansas City and partnered in the creation of the Christian Urban Alliance, a million dollar scholarship fund for students opting out of the public school system for faith based education in local Christian schools. Previous to that, she directed the Cardinal’s Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of New York. She spent nearly six years there working with over 100,000 individual donors throughout the 413 parishes of the Archdiocese. Her foundation includes overseeing the entire Archdiocese on an institutional level and also working at the grassroots level with a wide variety of church communities and leadership, from rural, farming community parishes to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be
As Hennessy notes, development is essential to the life of a nonprofit, now more than ever. The WCC can no longer depend solely on traditional funding partners as they are facing fiscal challenges of their own. The WCC has to branch out and broaden its base of support to ensure the continuation of its essential programs. Hennessy will set the foundation for a development program that will raise the awareness of the WCC and invite more individuals, foundations and corporations to join in support.
Hennessey finds inspiration for fundraising in Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:334, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” She believes that people are generous and truly want to help others. Giving brings us joy. Fundraising gives people ways to do that. By participating in a faith based non-profit organization, people are empowered to make a real difference. With volunteer opportunities, consciousness-raising, advocacy and fund raising, countless individuals in every corner of our nation, organize to make a difference in the lives of others and in our society.
Appreciation Expressed for Loyal WCC Supporters
Individuals give the largest portion of philanthropic contributions by far so individuals are the basis of a strong development program. The WCC is fortunate to have a group of loyal supporters. Hennessy plans to get back in touch with them to acknowledge their support and invite them to continue partnering in our work. She will then reach out to others in the Christian communities across the country to join us. Via mailings, regional events and organized trips to see first hand the work of the WCC, individual donors will have plenty of opportunities to participate in the life of the WCC.
Diversified support is also essential. Institutional giving from corporations and foundations will also be a focus of Hennessy’s plan. Working with the leadership of the WCC – US Conference, she will prospect, cultivate and solicit major gifts. With the wide range of programs executed by the WCC, there is no limit to its potential.
Launch of ‘Friends of the WCC Program’
Though the mission of the WCC is simple, churches working together to make difference in the world, its constellation of programs can be overwhelming. This contributes to a lack of public awareness about the important work of the WCC. In order to enlist support, people have to find out about our good work. Hennessy plans to spotlight individual programs and show how the mission of the WCC is accomplished on a very basic, grass roots level. For instance, at the Annual Meeting of the US Conference for the World Council of Churches in Chicago, the denominational banquet on the evening of October 11, 2005, will highlight a presentation on the Focus on Africa, a program seeking to eradicate poverty in Africa. (Visit: www.wcc-usa.org for more information on the Annual Meeting/Pre-9th Assembly Event.) Simultaneously, Hennessy will launch a new initiative –the Friends of the WCC Program. This program will enlist volunteers in different regions across the United States to raise awareness and extend the network of support across the country via small, local events, like presentations and hosting speakers.
One of her fundraising inspirations, Bishop Patrick Ahern, once prayed, “Asking for money on behalf of others is a holy thing. Bless us with joy as we do it.” The WCC is a worldwide fellowship of individuals joyfully doing for others. Hennessy is certain that this joyful giving will continue and plans to make it easy for others to join in.
