The North American Forum on the Catechumenate (FORUM) 

is able to implement its mission through the generous support of our donors. In the United States, FORUM is registered as a private, Catholic, 501c(3) corporation. Donations to the FORUM are tax deductible to the extent allowed by U.S. law. Forum is seeking similar tax favorable status in Canada.

The Annual Giving Program is designed to provide every member of the FORUM family an opportunity to join together in support of this network of pastoral ministers dedicated to the full implementation in every parish of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and its implications for reconciliation.

FORUM prides itself on responsible stewardship of all resources: human, material, environmental, and financial.

Every year FORUM provides formation and training in initiation ministries to more than three thousand (3,000) parish and diocesan pastoral ministers. Your gift has an impact! Last year alone parish communities throughout the U.S. and Canada were renewed around the ministry of evangelization as they helped literally thousands of adults and children complete the initiation process of the Catholic Church.

Through the Annual Giving Program you support the following key elements of FORUM’s mission:

• Keep the costs of its formation institutes accessible to a wide range of pastoral ministers.

• Offer scholarships that make possible the participation in institutes of those from parish communities or dioceses with financial need.

• Support FORUM operations to maintain program effectiveness.

• Provide internships at institutes for prospective initiation and reconciliation leaders.

• Develop new institutes responsive to emerging pastoral needs.

• Research initiation and reconciliation issues.

Your gift directly affects FORUM’s ability to help integrate initiation and reconciliation fully into parish community life.

You can! Membership in FORUM is open to all who support FORUM’s mission. Every FORUM member is asked to support the Annual Giving Program. Participants in FORUM institutes automatically become members.

If you believe in the Church’s mission of evangelization leading to initiation into Christ and if you want to help form pastoral leaders for this ministry, then you too can support FORUM.

The FORUM goal this year is to raise $40,000 with the help of the FORUM family.

When is the Annual Giving Program Conducted?

The Annual Giving Program is an ongoing effort. The Spring Appeal letter  is sent to all members around Easter, the time of New Beginnings for all the Church. The End of Year Appeal takes place in December. Gifts are credited throughout the year. Receipts are provided and an annual statement for tax purposes is provided in January.

• Cash. The most common method of support, usually in the form of a check made payable to The North American Forum on the Catechumenate.

•  Credit Card. Gifts may be billed directly to VISA, MasterCard, or Discover.

•  On-Line Giving. We are currently working on the ability to give on-line through a secure process linked with our web site www.naforum.org.

•  Securities, stocks, real property, and other assets are greatly appreciated. Gifts of stock and other financial securities can have significant tax savings for the donor. For example, if you paid $5,000 for stock and the market value is now $8,000, when you donate the appreciated securities you will receive a charitable deduction for the full market value of $8,000. Moreover, you will not pay capital gains tax for the sale. Contact your tax advisor for further information. To arrange a transfer please call your broker. For instructions on the transfer, please call James Schellman at the FORUM office (202-529-9493, ext. 28). REMEMBER that for tax-advantaged gifts of securities, the securities must be transferred to FORUM's account BEFORE they are sold.

• Combined Federal Campaign. U.S. Donors may designate FORUM as a recipient of their Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions. Our CFC number is 1165.

• Matching gifts. If you would like to double your gift, ask your employer about matching gift opportunities. Please consult with your company to determine if both you and FORUM may benefit.

• Gifts-in-Kind. Donations of equipment, materials, and special services are greatly appreciated.

The full legal name of FORUM is The North American Forum on the Catechumenate. U.S. Tax ID# 52-1294685.

How may I make gifts to help plan for FORUM’s future?

•  A Bequest: This is a gift made by a provision in one’s will naming FORUM as beneficiary. It can reduce estate taxes.

• Planned Gifts: FORUM is capable of working with donors and their advisors on many types of Planned Gifts.

• Naming opportunities: FORUM provides the opportunity to associate the name of a family member or individual with endowment funds, internships, and scholarships.

For more information about giving opportunities and other ways you can support FORUM, please call our Business office at 202-529-9493, ext. 19.