An Overview of Our Financial Status

Dear Friends and Fellow Supporters of MDM,

We have finally arrived at the point for which so many of us have been waiting: the development campaign for MDM!  Our goals: getting the Community out to the Mission property, and improving our retreat facilities.

But first we have to raise some money. So let me give you their financial profile in a nutshell:

       First, they don’t have much money.

They are a mendicant community, that means, following the example of Jesus and the Apostles, they don’t charge for their ministries and live by free-will offerings.  They have no regular source of income, no salaries, and no financial support from the Archdiocese. They believe that the Lord has called them to this lifestyle and He wants them to trust in Him.  They are doing this.  Very concretely.

      Second, despite a business plan that corporate America would find puzzling, they aim to be fiscally prudent.

They have assembled a team of experienced, well-regarded business people to advise them financially, and review their business practices.  The Community has accomplished a good deal in their ten years of existence.  For instance, they bought 128 acres of land, and paid it off four years ahead of schedule.  This property, initially valued at $775,300, is MDM’s biggest financial asset.  

Since purchasing the property, the Community has been able to make several improvements there.  Due to the generosity of many supporters who made donations both large and small, they have built three primary buildings, two houses and several minor structures on the property. MDM currently owes about $182,000 in building costs.

     Third, the Community members and the Mission staff are a very good value for the money.  Operating costs for the Community and the Mission, together, amount  to approximately $25,000 per month:  $7,500 in salaries for four full time employees,  $6,000 in living expenses for six Community members (this includes everything from food and clothing, to transportation and medical insurance), and $11,500 to maintain and operate the Mission and apostolate activities.

Everyone who sees what is happening and gets to know the Community members can’t help but be impressed to find people with their education and work experience who are willing to work for so little financial return. I guess the reason is, they are not working for the money, they are working for Our Lord.

    Fourth, monthly expenses are pretty regular – but monthly income is highly irregular.

It is important to state that people have been generous.  The Mission wouldn’t be where it is today without the support of so many friends. But budgeting is difficult.

Currently the Bethany Association has regular monthly pledges of approximately $2,800.  Weekend Mass donations average about $2,500 per month, and gifts from people who donate frequently but irregularly can vary from $5,000 to $8,000 per month. Other funds received can come from Mass stipends, retreat offerings and other one-time donations, which obviously can—and do—vary widely.

The Community is now embarking on a $5.5 million development campaign: Building a Home for Mercy.  It is a very large undertaking for their small community, but they believe that this is God’s timing.  Everyone who has been involved at the Mission and helping with the Community, also feels strongly that now is the time.

Is the Lord inviting you to help somehow in this endeavor?  

Please pray about this.

Maybe you can’t make a large donation, but you could give regular monthly gifts.  Any gift of any size or frequency will be gratefully received.

Thank you,

Sam Kneuper
Steering Committee
Building a Home for Mercy

[An Important Note for Those Aged 70 1/2 or Older who are required to make the IRS Minimum Required Distribution from their IRA in 2011-  NOTE: that a gift to the Mission of Divine Mercy satisfies the Required Minimum Distribution requirements for this year, and is excluded from reportable income for federal income tax purposes. Unless Congress acts, this will be the last year for this exclusion].

There are numerous tax advantage methods to make your donation more valuable.  We have tax specialists, attorneys and CPAs that can help you and your family arrange the best way to give.  Just give us a call.