A donation to this capital campaign will have a long-lasting effect on the abbey’s ability to continue our mission of living by the Rule of St. Benedict, of praying and working for the glory of God while serving our apostolates and community.

Supporters from across the country have been invited to participate, and nearly 400 people have already contributed to the campaign. We are continuing to invite individuals, foundations, and corporations to join us in this effort to secure the future of St. Benedict’s Abbey.

The abbey and the college will never separate, but they are separate. Our monastic community takes pride in its role as a co-founder of Benedictine College and in providing spiritual guidance for the students. The abbey’s dedication to education and knowledge remains unwavering. While most of Benedictine College is on monastery-owned land, St. Benedict’s Abbey operates as a separate entity from the college. The abbey is responsible for independently securing its funding and maintaining its facilities.

Abbot’s Table funds the annual, ongoing needs of St. Benedict’s Abbey. The fundraising event will continue to run during the campaign’s pledge period. The campaign is an extraordinary effort and seeks gifts beyond existing giving. The two efforts will be coordinated to avoid confusion.

Through employment and volunteerism, the brothers are active in many ministries. They serve as pastors, chaplains, teachers, college professors, student counselors, registered nurses, student spiritual leaders, liturgical directors, in prolife ministry and more.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we have received enough pledged commitments to fully fund our current projects. We are now focusing on inviting donors to make payments toward their pledges if they have committed to contribute over the three-year redemption period.

If you have questions about your pledge or need assistance, we encourage you to follow up directly with our advancement office. Thank you for helping us bring this campaign to fruition and ensuring a bright future for St. Benedict’s Abbey.

Yes. If you wish your donation to be used for one or more specific goals of the campaign, please communicate this to the advancement office.

Most certainly. Because the goals of the campaign require immediate funding, gifts of cash and securities are generally desired. However, if you want to make a planned gift, e.g., a gift of property, a bequest, an IRA or insurance policy, please contact the advancement office to discuss your options. 

St. Benedict’s Abbey is a qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization entitled to exemption from federal income tax. Gifts to the campaign are tax deductible as allowed by current federal tax guidelines. The application of such laws varies with individual circumstances. Please contact a tax attorney or advisor with any specific questions.

Our campaign offers a wide range of gift opportunities at all levels. You may choose an option that provides you with both flexibility and time to complete the payment of your pledge. Because our needs are urgent, we encourage donors to complete their pledges within three years. 

No, your pledge isn’t legally binding, and yes, it will be confidential. A pledge is a gift commitment, one you consider to be meaningful to you. All we ask is that you do your best and advise us of any financial changes that may impact your pledge or pledge payments. All pledges will be kept confidential. Only the people responsible for maintaining and reporting campaign records will have access to the information you provide. 

Item descriWe studied the needs and priorities of our community, consulted with experts in relevant fields, and conducted assessments to identify areas requiring attention or improvement. We made sure that the projects align with our mission, address pressing concerns, and contribute to ensuring the abbey building remains strong and stable for another 100 years.

The slate roof of our abbey is almost 100 years old and is past its functional life. Each rainstorm brings new leaks and other issues. After evaluating numerous options, we determined that replacing the roof with new slate is the most economical and sustainable option. Other materials would require placing plywood over the existing gypsum blocks, which would minimize the value and the lifespan of the roof. 

Slate is a naturally derived material that will match other church and college buildings. When correctly installed, slate can be easily maintained, recycled, and reused. Our new roof should last another 100 years, giving our monastic community peace of mind as we focus on our apostolic missions, prayer, and work. 

The $2.7 million health and retirement goal of the campaign will play a crucial role in providing financial support and care for the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey, particularly during their later years. Thorough analysis by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) helped us realize that – especially in light of our growth – we need to bolster this fund. Increasing this fund will allow us to provide care for our current elder monks and secure the future well-being of the next generation of monks. Our elder brothers can fulfill their Benedictine vow of stability, ensuring that they can peacefully transition to their eternal reward within the comforting presence of their fellow monks in their cherished home. 

Our HVAC system consists of multiple units, some of which are up to 90 years old, far exceeding their expected lifespan and resulting in exorbitant maintenance expenses. After extensive consultation with third parties and the engineering department of Benedictine College, we decided to replace our entire system in phases with components that boast modern controls, enhanced functionality, and the reliability of a geothermal system. This new system will create a controlled environment unlike what we have today and will enable us to open certain areas of our facilities closed due to mold. Overall, this new contemporary HVAC system will reduce utility and maintenance costs and will enable us to concentrate more effectively on our mission. 

Additional gifts to our capital reserves will help us be prepared for unexpected contingencies and cost overruns, minimize the amount we will need to pay toward debt financing as we collect on pledges, and, most importantly, allow us to apply the surplus toward a state-of-the-art organ replacement. This new organ will uplift our liturgies and support the formation of music students at Benedictine College, shaping church music leaders for generations to come. Your continued support enables us to build a stronger, more vibrant future for St. Benedict’s Abbey and our mission.