FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 12, 2026

8,000 Catholic Students Celebrate $950K Raised in Raffle to Fund Biggest School Priorities

Students sell more than 95,000 raffle tickets; winners drawn for $30K in raffle prizes awarded by Catholic United Financial

ABOVE: Bishop Michael Izen, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Nate Lamusga, director of mission engagement, celebrate the success of 50 Catholic K-8 schools that participated in the 2026 program. During the live prize broadcast on March 12, sponsor Catholic United Financial revealed the combined fundraising total of $959,226. 

ST PAUL, Minn. (March 12, 2026) – More than 8,000 Catholic students are celebrating the nearly million-dollar impact they generated for their schools this year — one $10 raffle ticket at a time.

On Thursday, schools tuned in to see the results of their 6-week sales efforts announced live by Catholic United Financial, who has teamed with schools on the raffle initiative since 2009. From the more than 95,000 tickets sold and mixed in a 9-foot drum, 13 winners were hand-selected to win cash prizes.

For Catholic United Financial, the drawing is more than the $959,266 grand total raised or the joy experienced by the winners. It’s a chance to celebrate the students, who bring the not-for-profit’s core mission to life.

“Our purpose and the schools’ purpose are the same — helping families build a stronger future, grounded in faith,” said Nate Lamusga, director of mission engagement for Catholic United Financial. “We want these schools to focus on their own priorities, then we work with them to make their vision a reality.”

Each of the 50 participating schools in Minnesota and South Dakota plans to use their raised funds in different ways, such as:

• Curriculum materials and classroom furnishings for a new grade level being added in fall,
• Preserving fine-arts programming by adding supplies and equipment,
• Offsetting operating expenses to keep tuition affordable,
• Gymnasium bleachers to replace metal chairs.

(A full list of 2026 partner schools can be found here.) 

The raffle “brings the community together for a common purpose, and that’s to help all the kids get a good Catholic education,” said Sue Berthiaume, principal of Transfiguration Catholic School in Oakdale, Minnesota. She sees her students “just drum up the excitement of being in the school and why it’s a good place. We’re really a family of families.”

Every dollar from every ticket remains with the school. All expenses — from printing to prizes — are fully covered by Catholic United Financial, enabling schools to make the most of the raffle opportunity.

“We take a different approach to working with communities. Unlike some organizations that just write checks, our support empowers these schools,” said Lamusga. “Students gain a sense of ownership in their education, and the families and communities become active partners in the schools’ success.”

Bishop Michael Izen, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, experienced the raffle first as a local pastor and now as a firm supporter of both Catholic schools and Catholic United Financial.

“I remember learning about the raffle — I’m like, ‘what’s the catch?’” Bishop Izen said. “The students probably don’t understand everything that Catholic United Financial does, but they realize this organization loves Catholic schools and is doing something to help us.”

Including this year’s raffle, the partnership between schools and Catholic United Financial has generated $17.8 million since the first raffle in 2009.

“It’s a big total, but we see every dollar as another textbook, another 3D printer, another sports uniform, and another student who can grow in a Catholic education,” Lamusga added. “It’s not the dollars – it’s each family’s future.”

About Catholic United Financial
Catholic United Financial is a Trusted Fraternal Life brand, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial services company, dedicated to connecting people of faith, protecting their future, and generously impacting parishes, schools, and communities in the Upper Midwest since 1878. Based in St. Paul, Minn., Catholic United Financial helps its members plan for every step of their life journey and supports local communities through initiatives like the Catholic United Financial Raffle, Post-High School Tuition Scholarships, and more. Visit www.catholicunitedfinancial.org for details. 

# # #