Development FAQ

Support Our Mission

 

What is development?

“Development, ultimately, is the means of enabling donors to realize the fulfillment of their philanthropic dreams of helping create a society that reflects their most deeply held values.”
~ Karla A. Williams, Donor Focused Strategies for Annual Giving

Growing in mutually enlivening relationships with you as our friends and benefactors is the heart of our development office ministry.

This ministry is focused on raising funds for the support of the vision and mission, membership and ministries of the monastery.

We do this by

  • Telling the story of the monastery,
  • Inviting others to partner with, participate in the activities of and donate to the Monastery in order to fulfill the corporate mission,
  • Stewarding donors and their gifts.

This office tells the story of the monastery through press releases; Canticle of St. Gertrude, A Journal of our Life; this website, and so much more.

We also actively invite our friends and donors to join us in our mission and ministries through their financial support. We send out two direct mail appeals each year, make one-on-one requests and write grants. We try to offer everyone the opportunity to participate in as meaningful a way as possible.

In gratitude we acknowledge our donors as quickly as possible with a "Thank You" and a receipt. In addition we thank you with invitations to the monastery, to retreats, by praying for you and so much more.

And, finally, we keep our operations as transparent as possible so that when you make a donation to the Sisters at St. Gertrude you know the money will be used wisely, in gratitude, and as you requested.

 

Why do the Sisters need my support?

Contrary to popular belief, the monastery is not subsidized by the Catholic Church or the diocese. 

Like other Benedictine communities, we are an independent, self-supporting monastery responsible for our own support.

This community maintains itself, its ministries and its historic monastery and grounds through salaries and wages earned by the sisters, investment income, craft ministries and the generous contributions of donors.

 

Where do my donations go?

Currently, donations account for approximately 25% of the general operating income for the monastery.

This income is used to pay the bills, maintain the grounds and buildings and support the ministries of the monastery.

We make every effort to use your gift for what you indicate as your preferred use for it. We are very grateful for every gift, whether directed toward a specific need or toward whatever we consider the greatest need at that time.

 

What benefits will I receive?

  • You will have the satisfaction of participating in the work of God by maintaining an example of God’s power and presence on earth through the lives of the sisters.
     
  • You will fulfill some of your own desires to make a positive difference in the world by supporting the values that motivate the lives and works of the sisters.
     
  • You and your intentions will be included in the daily prayers of the sisters.
     
  • You will preserve a lifestyle dedicated to prayer, community and service to God, the church and the world.
     
  • You will help maintain the monastery as a place for spiritual growth, renewal and retreat.
     
  • You will receive our complimentary newsletter Canticle of St. Gertrude, A Journal of Our Life.
     
  • Your gift will be acknowledged in our annual Stewardship Report.



 

    

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 Contact the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Spirit Center and the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude
465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, Idaho 83522-5183    Phone: 208-962-3224    Fax: 208-962-7212    E-mail:  monastery@stgertrudes.org
© 1997-2010  Idaho Corporation of Benedictine Sisters        Updated: April 19, 2010