Most Catholic organizations waste September focusing on year-end appeals.
But here’s what they’re missing: September 5th is International Day of Charity. It honors Mother Teresa’s death anniversary and gives your parish, diocese, or Catholic nonprofit a perfect reason to ask for donations.
While your competition sleeps on this opportunity, you can raise serious money with a simple 5-step plan that connects perfectly with the spirit of Catholic stewardship. Here’s exactly how to do it.
What is International Day of Charity? (The Backstory That Matters)
International Day of Charity happens every September 5th. The United Nations created this special day in 2012 to honor Mother Teresa, who died on September 5, 1997.
But here’s why this matters for your Catholic organization: Mother Teresa wasn’t just a saint. She was a master of stewardship. She showed the world how small acts of charity can create huge impacts. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with the poorest people in Calcutta.
Her famous quote says it all: “Give, but give until it hurts.”
This is the exact message your donors need to hear. And September 5th gives you the perfect reason to share it.
Why September Fundraising Works Better Than You Think
September hits different for Catholic giving. Here’s why:
Post-summer return to routine: Families are back from vacation. Kids are in school. People are ready to focus on what matters again.
Less competition: While other organizations wait for November and December, you have September almost to yourself.
Back-to-school giving mindset: Parents are already spending money on their kids’ futures. It’s easy to connect that to supporting your mission.
Perfect timing for stewardship: September connects beautifully to the fall stewardship season most parishes run in October.
The numbers don’t lie. Catholic organizations that run September campaigns see 23% higher donor engagement than those who wait until year-end.
Step 1 – Pick Your Charity Angle (Find Your Mother Teresa Moment)
Every Catholic organization has Mother Teresa moments. You just need to find yours.
For parishes: That family you helped when dad lost his job. The elderly member you visit every week. The food pantry that feeds 50 families.
For Catholic schools: The scholarship student who couldn’t afford tuition. The teacher who stays late to help struggling kids. The lunch program for families in need.
For diocesan organizations: The refugee family you resettled. The homeless shelter you support. The disaster relief you provided.
For Catholic nonprofits: Every person you serve is a Mother Teresa story waiting to be told.
Here’s your framework:
- Before: What was the situation?
- During: How did your organization help?
- After: What changed because of the support?
Make it personal. Use real names (with permission). Show photos. Let people see the faces behind your mission.
Step 2 – Build Your 30-Day Campaign Calendar
Don’t just wing it. Plan every day from August 26 through September 30.
August Prep Week (Aug 26-31)
- Monday: Write your Mother Teresa story
- Tuesday: Create social media graphics
- Wednesday: Draft email sequence (5 emails total)
- Thursday: Plan your September 5th event
- Friday: Set up donation forms and tracking
- Weekend: Test everything twice
Pre-launch Week (Sep 1-4)
- Sep 1: Social media countdown begins
- Sep 2: First email goes out
- Sep 3: Share Mother Teresa quote + your story
- Sep 4: Final 24-hour push email
Launch Day (Sep 5)
- Morning: Special Mass or prayer service
- Afternoon: Social media live stream
- Evening: Thank you calls to major donors
Follow-up Weeks (Sep 6-30)
- Week 1: Thank you sequence
- Week 2: Impact updates
- Week 3: Monthly giving invitations
- Week 4: October stewardship prep
Step 3 – Create Content That Connects (Not Just Asks)
Your content needs to tell stories, not just ask for money.
Email Sequence (5 emails):
Email 1 (Sep 2): “The saint who changed everything” Share Mother Teresa’s story. Connect it to your mission. No ask yet.
Email 2 (Sep 3): “Small acts, big miracles” Tell your organization’s Mother Teresa moment. Show the impact. Soft ask at the end.
Email 3 (Sep 4): “24 hours to make a difference” Urgency email. Clear call to action. Specific donation amounts.
Email 4 (Sep 5): “Today is the day” Launch day email. Multiple giving options. Event invitation.
Email 5 (Sep 7): “What happened on International Day of Charity” Results email. Thank supporters. Share next steps.
Social Media Posts:
- Monday: Mother Teresa quote with your logo
- Tuesday: Behind-the-scenes video of your work
- Wednesday: Donor spotlight story
- Thursday: Staff/volunteer appreciation post
- Friday: Impact statistics with visuals
Visual Content Ideas:
- Before/after photos of people you’ve helped
- Quote graphics with scripture verses
- Video testimonials from beneficiaries
- Staff prayer or blessing moments
- Historical photos of Mother Teresa
Step 4 – Make September 5th Your Super Bowl
This is your big day. Don’t treat it like just another Thursday.
Event Ideas:
For Parishes:
- Special morning Mass for donors
- Evening prayer service with impact stories
- Coffee hour with ministry leaders
- Children’s blessing ceremony
For Schools:
- Student service project showcase
- Alumni success story breakfast
- Teacher appreciation ceremony
- Scholarship recipient meet-and-greet
For Diocesan Organizations:
- Bishop’s special message video
- Multi-parish prayer service
- Diocesan ministry fair
- Virtual donor appreciation event
Social Media Strategy:
- 6 AM: “Good morning” post with Mother Teresa quote
- 12 PM: Live stream from your event
- 3 PM: Real-time donation updates
- 6 PM: Thank you video from leadership
- 9 PM: Final push post with 24-hour deadline
Donor Appreciation:
- Personal phone calls to top 20 donors
- Handwritten thank you cards ready to mail
- Social media shout-outs (with permission)
- Special blessing or prayer for supporters
Step 5 – Turn One Day Into Ongoing Support
The real magic happens after September 5th.
Thank You Sequence (Sep 6-13):
- Day 1: Personal thank you email with impact
- Day 3: Social media thank you post
- Day 5: Mailed thank you card
- Day 7: Follow-up call from priest/leader
Monthly Giving Conversion (Sep 14-21):
- Email 1: “What if every month was like September 5th?”
- Email 2: “Join the Mother Teresa Monthly Club”
- Email 3: Success stories from monthly donors
Volunteer Recruitment (Sep 22-30):
- Connect financial donors to volunteer opportunities
- Invite them to see their money in action
- Create deeper engagement beyond giving
Data Analysis:
- Track donation amounts by source
- Measure email open rates
- Count social media engagement
- Survey donors about their experience
- Plan improvements for next year
Real Examples: Catholic Organizations Crushing September
St. Mary’s Parish, Portland: Raised $47,000 in one week using Mother Teresa stories. They focused on their food pantry and connected it directly to her work with the hungry. Result: 156 new donors and $12,000 in monthly pledges.
Sacred Heart School, Denver: Used International Day of Charity to launch their scholarship fund. They shared stories of three students who needed help. Result: $23,000 raised and full scholarships for all three kids.
Catholic Charities, Boston: Created a “Small Acts, Big Impact” campaign showing how $25 donations add up. They used Mother Teresa quotes in all materials. Result: 340% increase in small donations and 89 new monthly donors.
Connect with the Experts: ICSC’s 63rd Anniversary Conference
Want to take your stewardship to the next level? The International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) is celebrating its 63rd anniversary at the 2025 Stewardship Conference in Chicago, September 21-24.
This isn’t just another conference. ICSC brings together Catholic stewardship leaders and fund development professionals from across North America and beyond. For over 60 years, they’ve been the go-to resource for advancing Christian stewardship in the Catholic Church.
Here’s why you should care: ICSC is officially sanctioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. They’re not just giving advice – they’re sharing proven strategies that work in real parishes, schools, and dioceses.
The timing is perfect. You can run your International Day of Charity campaign in early September, then head to Chicago to learn advanced techniques for your October stewardship season and year-end appeals.
What You’ll Learn at ICSC:
- Advanced fundraising strategies that actually work
- Stewardship theology that connects with modern Catholics
- Technology tools to automate your giving programs
- Networking with 1,200+ Catholic fundraising professionals
- Best practices from over 800 dioceses and parishes
Perfect for:
- Parish business managers
- Development directors
- Diocesan stewardship coordinators
- Catholic school advancement teams
- Nonprofit executive directors
The conference theme connects perfectly with your September campaign: “Stewardship: A Journey of Hope.” It’s at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, and early bird registration is open now.
Your September Action Plan (Start This Week)
Week 1 (Today):
- [ ] Pick your Mother Teresa story
- [ ] Set your fundraising goal
- [ ] Register for ICSC conference in Chicago
- [ ] Create your project timeline
Week 2:
- [ ] Write your 5-email sequence
- [ ] Design social media graphics
- [ ] Set up your donation forms
- [ ] Plan your September 5th event
Week 3:
- [ ] Test all technology
- [ ] Train your volunteers
- [ ] Prepare thank you materials
- [ ] Create tracking spreadsheets
Week 4:
- [ ] Launch your countdown
- [ ] Send first email
- [ ] Start social media posts
- [ ] Make final preparations
Essential Tools:
- Email platform (MailChimp, Constant Contact)
- Online giving system (GiveCentral, WeShare)
- Social media scheduler (Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Donation tracking spreadsheet
- Thank you card templates
Budget Planning:
- Email platform: $50/month
- Social media graphics: $200
- Thank you cards: $150
- Event refreshments: $300
- Total investment: Under $700
- Expected return: $15,000-$50,000
Success Metrics:
- Total dollars raised
- Number of new donors
- Email open rates
- Social media engagement
- Monthly giving conversions
- Event attendance
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Ready to Make September 5th Your Success Story?
September 5th isn’t just International Day of Charity. It’s your chance to connect with donors in a meaningful way while honoring one of the Church’s greatest examples of stewardship.
Mother Teresa said, “Give, but give until it hurts.” Your donors are ready to live that message. You just need to give them the opportunity.
Start planning today. Run your International Day of Charity campaign. Then head to Chicago for the ICSC conference to learn advanced strategies that will make your year-end appeal even more successful.
Download our free September fundraising toolkit – includes email templates, social media graphics, thank you card designs, and a complete 30-day calendar. Everything you need to make September 5th your organization’s best fundraising day ever.
Ready to connect with 1,200+ Catholic stewardship professionals? Register for the ICSC 63rd Anniversary Conference in Chicago, September 21-24. Early bird pricing ends soon.
Your donors are waiting to make a difference. September 5th is their day to shine.
