For Immediate Release
Contact: Raina Lojovich, 651-765-4137 or raffle@catholicunited.org
ST. PAUL, MN – Is it possible for Catholic schools to conduct successful fundraising campaigns in the middle of a pandemic, when most Catholic churches are closed and door-to-door fundraising methods aren’t available?
The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” More than 80 Catholic schools and the 13,000 students participating proved it by not only reaching the million-dollar goal for 2021, but exceeding it for a grand total of $1,495,306!
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 from COVID-19 lockdown orders.
The banner is dropped and the 2021 Catholic Schools Raffle fundraising total is revealed on March 11, a new record for the program!
“As we continue with hardships due to this pandemic, it feels so good to chalk something like this into the win column,” said Michael Ahles, president of Catholic United Financial. “It has been our privilege to offer this program to local Catholic schools for the last 11 years. We knew through experience how creative and enterprising the families and staff at these schools are. They have taken things to a new level in 2021, despite the challenges the lockdowns threw at them. We’re amazed and encouraged at this show of support for Catholic education. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Catholic school students from across Minnesota and the Dakotas sold $5 raffle tickets from the middle of January to Feb. 28., and competed for top selling prizes and performance grants.
“Traditional methods of selling tickets in person at school events and after Mass were no longer available. We had doubts that reaching the million dollar goal was even possible,” said Raffle Coordinator Raina Lojovich. With the reveal of our record-breaking grand total on March 11, the schools obviously found a way.
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 keep every dollar raised during the six-week ticket selling period.
Ceremony Emcee Matt Birk talks on speakerphone to Jolene Olson of Buffalo, MN to inform her she won the grand prize of a new Ford Ecosport SUV or $20,000 cash.
On March 11, the raffle concluded with a livestreamed prize drawing ceremony emceed by NFL champion and former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk, who returned for his third year as the master of ceremonies of the event. Prize winners and totals were revealed during the ceremony, including the grand prize winner, a resident of who will receive their choice of a brand new Ford Ecosport SUV or $20,000 in cash; other winners were drawn to receive more than $40,000 worth in prizes, including vacations, a $5,000 room remodel, gift cards, 4k televisions and gift cards.
New in 2021, Catholic United Financial offered $12,000 in grants to schools who achieved performance goals , and another $10,000 in tuition grants to the top student ticket sellers. 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).
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 not-for-profit financial cooperative that has served Catholics in the Upper Midwest since 1878. The company provides life insurance and retirement products for its 75,000 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:
