Catholic Charities Lifetime Giving Societies

About the Lifetime Giving Societies

In October 2009, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl and Catholic Charities unveiled the new Lifetime Giving Societies, created to recognize and honor individuals and families whose extraordinary support helps advance the mission of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington.

The lifetime giving achievements of the societies' members exemplify the spirit of love and compassion that is a blessing to the agency, and more importantly, to all those who seek help and hope from Catholic Charities.

The societies are named after Catholic Charities enduring belief in social justice for all, as well as the founder of Catholic Charities, Monsignor John O'Grady.

Membership Levels

Soul of Justice Society ($1,000,000 or more)

The society is named after Pope John Paul II's teaching that the soul of justice is charity, "a charity which places itself at the service of every person."

Msgr. O'Grady Society ($500,000 - $999,999)

The Society is named after the founder of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington.Msgr. John O'Grady is principally credited with the founding of the Catholic Charities movement in the United States. It was Msgr. O'Grady who conceived of the idea for a national program of social welfare in the American Catholic Church through the organization and development of diocesan social services.

Membership Qualification

The Lifetime Giving Societies compliment Catholic Charities' annual and major giving programs. The societies recognize lifetime, cumulative support of an array of programs, projects, and events over a donor's lifetime, thus ensuring donors receive recognition for their loyal generosity.

Individuals and family foundations with cumulative lifetime giving of $500,000 or more are invited to become members of the Lifetime Giving Societies by recognition at the appropriate giving level.

The following gifts qualify a donor for membership in the societies:

  • gifts of cash or securities
  • gifts of real property
  • other irrevocable gifts
  • corporate matching gifts
  • corporate gifts intended for credit to an individual donor's account

For more information, please contact Alicia Figueiredo, Vice President of Development for Catholic Charities, at 202-772-4397.

Copyright 2010 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc.