For Immediate Release
Contact: Macey Brandt, 651-765-4137 or raffle@catholicunited.org
ST. PAUL, MN – What do fundraising efforts look like in a post pandemic world? Catholic schools proved fundraising goals are more than attainable, even when people are challenged by the financial impact of the pandemic.
More than 80 Catholic schools and the 13,000 students participating showed up in a miraculous way to raise over $1.4 million for the second year in a row.
Organizers of the Catholic Schools Raffle, an annual fundraising program involving 80-plus Catholic schools, are overwhelmed that this year’s results were so successful, despite the many challenges that school administrators faced. Catholic school students from across Minnesota and South Dakota sold $5 raffle tickets from January 14th to Feb. 27th and competed for top selling prizes and performance grants.
Catholic United Financial leaders celebrate another million-plus year for the Catholic Schools Raffle. Pictured: President Michael Ahles, The Most Rev. John LeVoir, Board Member Jim Gibbons, Sr. Vice President Paul Zastrow.
The Catholic Schools Raffle is a fundraising program provided to schools free of charge by sponsor Catholic United Financial. Catholic United provided all promotional materials, raffle tickets and prizes for the program so participating schools can focus on fundraising money. Every dollar raised goes right back into the school to fund programs and facilities.
On March 10, the raffle concluded with a livestreamed prize drawing ceremony hosted by NFL champion and former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk, who returned for his fourth year as the master of ceremonies of the event. Prize winners and totals were revealed during the ceremony, including the grand prize winner who will receive the choice of a brand new Ford Escape SUV or $20,000 in cash; other winners were drawn to receive more than $40,000 worth in prizes, including a dream vacation, sky-diving experiences, gift cards, 65-inch smart TVs and more.
Catholic United Financial offered $9,000 in grants to schools who achieved performance goals; the grants were awarded to Marquette Catholic School in Virginia, MN, Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School in Belle Plaine, MN, and John Paul II Catholic School in Mitchell, SD. Another $10,000 in tuition grants were awarded to 38 students who were among the top ticket sellers at the 86 participating schools.
A complete list of prize winners and participating schools will be posted to the Catholic United website after winners have been verified (www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle).
Prize Ceremony host Matt Birk entertains the crowd as The Most Rev. John LeVoir pulls winning tickets from the prize drum on March 10, 2022.
The Catholic Schools Raffle is the largest fundraiser for Catholic schools in the Upper Midwest, and has raised over $11.2 million for Catholic education since 2009. Video, photos and more media resources are available at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle/media and www.vimeo.com.
About Catholic United Financial
Catholic United Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial services company, connecting people of faith, protecting their future and generously impacting parishes, schools and communities in the Upper Midwest since 1878. The company provides life insurance and retirement products for its 70,000-plus members and returns a portion of its profits to local communities through programs like the Catholic Schools Raffle, Post-High School Tuition Scholarship, Gather4Good® service events, and more. Based in St. Paul, Minn., Catholic United helps its members plan for every step of their life journey.
Membership in Catholic United Financial starts after you purchase a product from us. Membership means aligning your finances to your faith, and:
