Catholic charities, schools, and parishes can be ‘optimistic’ for 2026, say Catholics in Fundraising

‘The leadership transition offers hope for new teaching and energy around the right use of wealth, generosity, and ensuring Catholic charities collaborate better.’

Catholics in Fundraising, the UK’s leading network for Catholics working in fundraising, predicts that new leadership in the Church will give a “new impetus” to fundraising, making 2026 a year of “opportunity and renewal” for Catholic charities, schools, and parishes.

The Catholic Generosity report, which for the first time will benchmark charities based on their collective impact, will be released at a conference in June at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark.

Catholics in Fundraising said, “2026 marks a historic moment for the Church: a new Pope, a new Archbishop of Westminster, and most British episcopal sees filled. Pope Leo’s first encyclical, Dilexi te, illustrates his likely emphasis on the just application of wealth.”

The apostolic exhortation Dilexi te on “Love for the Poor”, published in October 2025, raises concern at the increase in wealth inequality and encourages Christian works of charity.

Catholics in Fundraising also suggested that Archbishop-elect Richard Moth, as the new President of the England and Wales Episcopal Conference, informed by his experience as chair of the department for social justice, will bring a new focus on Church charities and their role in the new evangelisation.

They predicted that the growth of the global economy forecast for 2026 means that there is an opportunity for international fundraising and cultivating relationships with overseas donors, especially in the US, where there is strong Catholic philanthropy.

According to the predictions, the UK fundraising environment remains challenging, due to cost-of-living pressures continuing to limit individuals’ abilities to donate. However, legacy giving will remain strong and membership of Your Catholic Legacy, which grew out of Catholics in Fundraising, will continue to deliver long-term benefits for Catholic institutions.

Digital innovation and security will be more important than ever in 2026. Catholics in Fundraising predicted that charities that invest in digital expertise, both to prevent cyber-attacks and to harness data to understand and encourage donations, will increase their income.

They predicted that “robust cybersecurity and data-driven engagement” will now be essential to building donor trust and reducing administrative burdens.

They also noted that many parishes still either lack the technology for worshippers to donate by contactless, or else fail to use it to its full potential.

Catholics in Fundraising also recommended that charities increase their collaboration, sharing resources, expertise, and data, to amplify their impact and present a “united front” to donors.

They also highlighted the importance of aligning philanthropy with investment management to maximise mission impact and respond to the interests of donors.

They emphasised the importance of donor retention in the context of economic pressures leading to fewer but larger gifts.

Catholics in Fundraising also said that trustees and governors must remain attentive to “the perennial problem of mission drift for Catholic organisations”, where their Catholic identity is watered down, losing their “unique selling point” for alumni and Catholic-inspired donors.

Instead, they should focus on “meaningful engagement”, clean data, and convincing faith-based motivations.

They noted that Catholic schools play an important role in faith formation, building alumni networks, and eventually fostering philanthropy. They suggested that recruiting development staff with Church understanding to help address funding gaps and ensure the sustainability of Catholic education and in turn rekindle weekly Mass attendance.

They said, “The challenge of VAT on independent school fees is already placing additional pressure on bursary programmes and fundraising for Catholic schools, making strategic development and alumni engagement even more critical.”

The chairman of Catholics in Fundraising, John Green, said, “Our new Church leadership gives cause for optimism in 2026, so now is the time to invest in digital innovation and foster collaboration so that Catholic parishes, dioceses, charities, and schools can sustain and grow their mission.”

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