The Parish Development Committee is the key leadership group of lay people in a parish that focuses its energies on raising the resources necessary to enable and expand the mission of the Church.
Steps to Success:
Step 1: Recruit PDC leaders and members
Step 2: Develop the Case(s) for support
Step 3: Create a Fund Development Plan
Step 4: Establish a Communications Plan
Step 5: Design Specific Funding Programs/Strategies
Step 6: Implement Plans
Step 7: Review & Revise
Step 8: Create an Annual Report
PDC Subcommittees: - Annual Giving (Cavan Option)
- Major Giving
- Legacy Giving
- Catholic Schools
- Communications
- Youth Giving
| Structure: Appointed by the pastor or pastoral administrator, the PDC consists of 8 to 12 faith-filled parishioners who sacrifice their time and talents to carry out this important ministry ofr the Church. The PDC is led by two people who are committee Co-Chairpersons. It can be further organized into as many as six working subcommittees. Co-Chairpersons should be sought for each of these committees. Once the subcommittee is in place, a team of people can be recruited who will be directly involved in the planning and implementation of appropriate strategies. |
Resources for PDCs:
Questions and Answers About the Parish Development Committee
How does the PDC relate to the Pastoral Council and Finance Committee?
The PDC is to be constituted as a standing committee of the Parish Pastoral Council, which is the primary body of the parish. This structure assures an integrated approach to parish planning and managment. The Finance Committee oversees the finances and the administration. Their task is to ensure the wise stewardship of the gifts held by the parish in order to minister effectively to God's people. The PDC has primary responsibility to raise the funds necessary to enable and expand the mission of the Church. Its related responsibility of communications help the PDC to give definition to the mission and vision for the parish and to tell that story with conviction to the parishioners and other benefactors.
Where should the PDC begin?
Once the PDC leaders are recruited, an assessment of the parish needs and opportunities for development should be the first step. Ideally, this should be done in the context of an integrated parish planning process. In such a process, a mission-driven pastoral vision, situation analysis and action plan could be put forth, along with a corresponding financial and fund development plan. The plan will help to determine a prioritization for development programming.
What are the primary ways that funds will be raised?
There are three primary means of giving: annual giving, major giving and deferred giving. The PDC will employ various campaign strategies to solicit all of these types of gifts.
What about capital campaigns?
Capital campaigns are a great way to raise a significant amount of money over a three to five year period. If planned and implemented well, a good capital campaign can jump start an entire development effort. New volunteer leadership will be recruited, major gift donors will be cultivated and deferred giving prospects will be identified. A good capital campaign can unite a church around a renewed sense of mission and give it great momentum which can be carried forward for many years. The entire PDC should be involved in making plans for a capital campaign. Additional volunteers would also be recruited, particularly in the Major Giving subcommittee.
Is the PDC a short term project?
No. The work of the PDC is ongoing - continually planning for the future and raising resources through the various means of annual giving, major giving, and deferred giving to enable the mission of the Church.
