Voice of Compassion™
Boston Fund

Fact Sheet

Background
The Voice of Compassion - Boston Fund was started by the Voice of the Faithful to respond to concerns about the decline in contributions to the 2002 Cardinal's Appeal and the resulting impact on the important programs, services and ministries of the Archdiocese of Boston. The Cardinal's Appeal supports over 80 programs that include spiritual and family programs, support for inner-city parishes, educational programs, Catholic schools and campus ministries, health ministries and social services (including Catholic Charities) and property management and facilities maintenance. Distribution of funds from the Voice of Compassion are intended to mirror the distribution of funds from the Cardinal's Appeal. However, Voice of Compassion funds will be applied only to direct costs of these ministries, not to their indirect costs or to general administrative expenses of the Archdiocese.

Response to a "Dilemma of Conscience"
The handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal has caused many area Catholics to reconsider their financial support of diocesan programs and services. The Voice of Compassion responds to this "dilemma of conscience" for Catholics who recognize the important work of Catholic charities and ministries in the Archdiocese but are reluctant to support the Cardinal's Appeal. Area Catholics have indicated a genuine desire to support the ministries that benefit the underserved, religious education and the needs of the parishes. The current shortfall in archdiocesan program funding will potentially create yet another set of victims as a result of the scandal. The Voice of Compassion was initiated to address this problem.

Administration through National Catholic Community Foundation (NCCF)
The Voice of Compassion is a community fund that offers an innovative way for Catholics to make contributions to support Archdiocesan programs, services and ministries. The fund is administered by the National Catholic Community Foundation (NCCF), a not-for-profit organization with a mission of addressing "the needs of persons and organizations who wish to engage in philanthropic activities which support the ministries of the Catholic Church". Donations are tax-deductible.

Fund Structure

• NCCF will charge a small fee of 1% of assets for fund administration. Of the remaining funds:

• 90% will go into the "main fund" intended to be distributed to the Archdiocese of Boston to support programs and ministries traditionally funded by the Cardinal's Appeal.

• 10% will be used to establish a "permanent (endowment) fund". A portion of the permanent fund will be distributed each year to the same programs as the Main Fund.

Distribution and Reporting
Accountability and transparency in reporting are primary objectives of the Voice of Compassion. Fund distribution will occur after receipt of detailed information regarding the expected allocation of the funds by the Archdiocese. In addition, the Archdiocese will be asked to provide NCCF an accounting of the use of the distributed funds. If adequate information regarding the use of the funds is not made available, or if the Archdiocese refuses to accept the funds, distributions will instead be made to Catholic Charities. If Catholic Charities does not accept the money, NCCF will work with VOTF to distribute the money to other Catholic organizations in the greater Boston area.

Money in the main fund will be distributed quarterly. Annual distributions will be made from the permanent fund. NCCF will publish information about distribution of the funds on their website. Voice of the Faithful will not receive any financial benefit from the Voice of Compassion.