Campaign Background
Most Reverend Robert J. Baker is the spiritual leader for over 200,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Charleston, which encompasses over 31,000 square miles.  As its leader, he continually strives to foster a sense of personal communion among all Catholics, among all Christians, in South Carolina.  This campaign is designed to help Bishop Baker, the Clergy, the Religious men and women, and the laity develop this communion and is a response to the missionary mandate given by Christ.  

Bishop Baker looked back upon the great work of his predecessor and to the current needs of the Diocese to come to the conclusion of the need to move forward to raise $32,000,000.  Many of the needs incorporated into the campaign were identified during the Synod of Charleston called by Bishop David Thompson.

In the Fall of 2004 Bishop Baker engaged Guidance In Giving Inc. to conduct a feasibility study to gauge the level of support amongst the clergy and laity.  Over the course of the next six months representatives interviewed every pastor in the diocese.  They were asked for their input regarding issues such as what needs must be met, what is the level of support for a campaign, how a campaign should be implemented and when.  The responses of the priests, the responses of 700 mail surveys from Catholics in the diocese and advice from the Presbyteral Council, Bishop Baker’s board of consultors, led Bishop Baker to undertake this campaign.
The Our Heritage, Our Hope Campaign will be broken down into three timeframes or “Blocks”.  Each parish and mission in the diocese will be asked to conduct the campaign in one of the three blocks.  Below are the timelines for each block.

Block I Parishes
August - December 2005

Block II Parishes
January - May 2006

Block III Parishes
August - December 2006

About Guidance In Giving Inc. 
Guidance In Giving Inc. (GIG) is a national development firm.  Guidance In Giving Inc. works exclusively with Catholic parishes, dioceses, and high schools on stewardship and development efforts, particularly capital campaigns.  The firm has worked with over 25 (arch)dioceses over the past 8 years on capital campaigns and annual appeals.

Guidance In Giving, Inc. has been hired by the Diocese of Charleston to assist in the coordination and implementation of the Our Heritage, Our Hope campaign.  A team of six individuals is currently working within the diocese assisting parishes with their campaigns.  Every parish in the diocese will be assigned a campaign director to help conduct their campaign in their designated “Block” or timeframe.

For more information about Guidance In Giving, Inc. please visit www.guidanceingiving.com or email Matthew Dwyer at mcdgig@aol.com