BUFFALO — Appeal officials announced today that Appeal 2025 in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo and the Fund for the Faith raised a total of $7,442,384 in cash and pledges, representing 87.5% of its $8.5 million goal. Appeal 2025 launched in January and concluded on June 30.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous support of Western New Yorkers who have found it in their hearts to help their neighbors in need – a need that continues to grow in nearly every corner of the region,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. “Even as we recognize the significant contributions of so many, we are deeply concerned about the continuing decline in the number of donors to the Appeal and what that could mean for the Agency’s ability to respond to the needs of the community in the future.”

Three thousand fewer donors participated in Appeal 2025 than in Appeal 2024 when the annual campaign raised just over $8 million, and since 2021, there has been a total loss of more than 12,000 donors. “Catholic parishioners have provided the overwhelming number of gifts to the Appeal for the last century, but as the numbers of both parishes and practicing Catholics decline, the clients who rely on Catholic Charities for services such as food pantries, behavioral health, emergency assistance, and more will need the broader Western New York community to provide support through the Appeal,” added Schumer.

The annual Appeal helps fund dozens of programs and services administered by Catholic Charities along with several ministries through the Fund for the Faith. As Western New York’s most comprehensive human services provider, Catholic Charities’ programs and services touch the lives of nearly one out of every ten people in Western New York, regardless of faith, race, gender, or any personal circumstance. The Fund for the Faith provides needed funding for programs that support the faith experience across all parish communities, including hospital chaplaincy, and training for ordained and lay ministers, among others.

“The Annual Appeal allows us to provide help through essential programs and services, but the heart of the Appeal allows us to provide HOPE through compassion, mercy, and love for our neighbors in need. Your donation supports people from all walks of life and all faiths, who turned to Catholic Charities for hope when they thought it couldn’t be found,” said Dr. Michael Noe, Appeal 2025 chair. “On behalf of Appeal 2025, thank you to our 17,280 donors for your generous contributions this year to provide hope to our neighbors in need.”

Appeal officials continue to stress that all donations to the Appeal will be used exclusively and entirely to deliver the essential programs and services that help those in need.

Donors can continue to support the work of Catholic Charities at ccwny.org/donate.