The Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation (CDMF) provides grants, charitable distributions, and financial support to various parishes, schools, and nonprofits throughout the Diocese of Madison. Many of the funds that support these great works are started by individuals who wish to make a faith-based difference in their community.
What many may be unaware of is that the CDMF is a completely separate legal entity from the Diocese of Madison.
While Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison is the chairman of the board, the CDMF was founded to ensure that Catholic causes throughout the diocese are supported by an independent layperson board of directors, all professionals in their fields of expertise.
This independence and breadth of experience, along with our focus on adhering to Catholic principles, helps distinguish the CDMF from other nonprofit foundations.
The CDMF has five different committees which are made up of our experienced Catholic investment and business board member professionals. These include the executive, grant review, investment, development, and audit and governance committees. Each committee exists to ensure that every aspect of the CDMF mission is handled in a thorough and expert manner.
Our board members’ wide-ranging positions and experiences include CEOs, attorneys, and accountants; the former CFO of an airline company; and even a retired former president of a minor league baseball team.
Currently, nearly two thirds of pastorates in the diocese include a church or school that has a fund with the CDMF. These consist of both endowed and non-endowed funds. Some are used for parish schools or for maintenance needs, while others have more general purposes.
The CDMF also has a number of funds held for other non-profits throughout the diocese and several funds that make charitable grants to their communities each year.
The CDMF’s portfolio adheres to the socially responsible investment guidelines set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This significantly sets us apart from other financial partners.
While still focusing our portfolio on long-term performance and exceeding established benchmarks, the CDMF’s investment manager, U.S. Bank, utilizes these principles and objectives when selecting securities, allowing the CDMF to safeguard our Catholic faith.
The use of social screens and a focus on companies and mutual funds that support Catholic teaching help avoid investments in products or philosophies that are contrary to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, such as companies associated with adult entertainment, contraception and abortifacient products, and embryonic stem cell research.
The CDMF’s investment committee reviews the portfolio quarterly with its investment manager and counsels the CDMF board on its investment decisions. U.S. Bank provides ongoing reports and data to the investment committee and makes investment recommendations based on its assessment of market factors.
Funds within the CDMF are also secured through several layers of protection. From our establishment as a legal entity separate from the Diocese of Madison to our governance and committee structure ensuring sound professional investment goals and strategies, investments are insulated and shepherded to maximize their impact and return. Specific individual fund agreements also ensure that donor intent is protected in perpetuity.
If you are interested in starting an endowment fund of your own, please visit diocesemadisonfoundation.org or give us a call at 608-821-3048.
Also, consider asking your parish priest if he has considered starting an endowment fund with the CDMF. We would be happy to help in any way possible as we work together to serve Christ and His Church here in the Diocese of Madison.
Grant McGurn is the operations coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation (CDMF).