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 will receive an invitation to participate in the campaign. While we know the bulk of the funds raised for the campaign will come from individual donors, we also will approach foundations and corporations to seek their support.

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.

During the campaign’s silent phase, Abbot James will work with members of our community and the advancement office to secure support from potential major donors. These donors will be asked to make lead gifts to build momentum for the campaign. After the silent phase, our campaign committee will personally follow up with every family in our community and ask them to consider making a three-year pledge to the campaign. Campaign volunteers will receive in-depth training on the campaign goals and will be able to answer most questions before they make any follow-up outreach.

Gift requests are based on family giving history and input received during the campaign planning study. Request amounts are approved by the abbey to ensure the campaign is not asking any family to consider a gift that is inappropriate.

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. 

Please wait until you receive campaign information, including the case for support. This will allow you to reflect on the needs of the abbey and to discern prayerfully your response to that need.

In addition to making a gift or pledge, community members are encouraged to volunteer for the campaign. There will be opportunities beyond Atchison, including Kansas City, Denver, St. Louis, Des Moines, Minneapolis and more. Most importantly, please pray for the success of our effort. We need the Lord’s intercession to help this campaign be as successful as it can be.

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. 

After months of contemplation and consultation, the monastic and college communities selected a new pipe organ that will surpass the current instrument’s beauty in both form and musical function. When purchasing a pipe organ, you don’t pay only for the cost of making it, but also for a detailed engineering study that starts from the available place and finishes with the creation of sound. Pipe organs are costly because each piece is installed by hand, regardless of the material from which it is made. St. Benedict’s Abbey has enlisted the services of Saint John’s Organ Builders to ensure the requisite level of quality. Further details can be found here: www.sjaorgans.com.

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.