Q. Why do we need this fund?
A. The Voice of Compassion was started in response to the decline in contributions to the Archdiocese of Boston because of the clergy sexual abuse scandal.
Q. Why should I contribute?
A. This program is designed to allow Catholics to continue to support the important ministries that are sponsored by the Boston Archdiocese while modeling the accountability and transparency that we would like to see in all Archdiocesan financial matters. Contributing to the Voice of Compassion is a way for Catholics to support Catholic ministries but also to indicate they want greater financial disclosure from the Archdiocese.
Q. Why not contribute directly to Archdiocesan charities?
A. Many of the programs sponsored by the Archdiocese cannot receive donations directly as they are under the umbrella of the Archdiocese - they are not separate charitable corporations, or do not have separately controlled bank accounts.
Q. Is VOTF advocating that Catholics withhold contributions to the Cardinal's Appeal?
A. No, but many Boston-area Catholics have decided not to support the Cardinal's Appeal due to the scandal. VOTF is concerned about the resulting impact on services and urges local Catholics to choose the giving option most comfortable for them, e.g. Cardinal's Appeal, Voice of Compassion, Catholic Charities, another charity or ministry.
Q. Why was National Catholic Community Foundation (NCCF) chosen to administer the fund?
A. NCCF has a Catholic focus and it is one of only a few organizations offering the type of fund VOTF wanted. Also its administrative fee (1% of assets) was the lowest VOTF found. NCCF is a tax-exempt organization qualified to accept tax-deductible donations.
Q. How is NCCF structured? What is its governance and oversight?
A. NCCF was organized in 1997 to address the needs of individuals and organizations that wish to engage in philanthropic activities to support the ministries of the Catholic Church. It is governed by a Board of Trustees composed entirely of lay Catholics, one of whom is Boston College Professor of Theology Dr. Thomas Groome. Its Board of Trustees ensures that grants from its funds are in accord with the original intent of the donors.
Q. How will NCCF verify the information from the Archdiocese regarding use of the funds?
A. Using guidelines specified by VOTF, NCCF will decide whether it has information to verify that the money was used as intended. The Archdiocesan organization(s) that receives the funds is required, on an annual basis to provide confirmation to NCCF that the money was used for direct program costs and not for general administrative or fund-raising expenses.
Q. Why will the money go to Catholic Charities if the Archdiocese does not accept it, or if they do not meet the reporting requirements?
A. Catholic Charities is the second-largest social services agency in Massachusetts (after the State itself). The resources of Catholic Charities are strained because of the general decline in charitable giving, coupled with the crisis in the Church and the State's fiscal cutbacks. VOTF believes that Catholic Charities provides extremely important services within the context of Catholic precepts. Please see the Catholic Charities web site (www.ccab.org) for more information.
Q. What will happen if Catholic Charities refuses to accept the funds?
A. If Catholic Charities refuses to accept the funds, NCCF will work with VOTF, to distribute the funds to Catholic organizations in the greater Boston area, such as lesser-advantaged parish schools and programs for women religious.
Q. How will donors know how the money is being distributed?
A. NCCF will post detailed information about donations and distribution on its web site, www.nccfcommunity.org. NCCF will be audited annually to ensure adherence to the terms of the agreement.
Q. What is the "permanent fund" and why do we have it?
A. The philosophy of NCCF includes the concept that Catholics should create permanent funds, similar to an endowment at a university. Money put into the permanent fund will grow over time. Distributions will be made from the permanent fund each year and, in years of reduced annual giving, the permanent fund can be used to help smooth out the amount of money available to various programs.
Q. What happens to the fund when we no longer need this mechanism?
A. The main fund will terminate if annual contributions drop below $50,000; VOTF also has the right to request that it be terminated. The permanent fund will terminate if the main fund is terminated AND assets in the permanent fund fall below $500,000. Assets will be distributed to Catholic charities in the Archdiocese.
Q. How will assets be invested?
A. The assets will be pooled with other assets managed by NCCF, like a mutual fund with different accounts. The cash held in the main fund will be invested in money market funds. NCCF's investment committee will invest assets held in the permanent fund.
Q. Why is the Voice of Compassion limited to the Boston archdiocese?
A. The fund was established to address the current critical financial need in the Boston archdiocese. The funding mechanism can be replicated, through NCCF, in other regions as needed.
Q. How can I contribute?
A. Please send your check payable to: NCCF VOC-Boston Fund
Mail to:
NCCF
2661 Riva Road, Suite 1042
Annapolis, MD 21401Q. Can donations be made with a credit card?
A. Currently NCCF is only accepting donations by check to keep fees to a minimum. We hope to make credit card donations an option in the future.
If you have any additional questions, please e-mail us at: VOCBostonFund@votf.org.