At its heart, Catholic education is about helping students grow—in knowledge, faith, confidence and purpose. When communities come together to support that growth, the impact can reach far beyond any single classroom.
That’s the spirit behind Catholic United Financial’s annual raffle for Catholic schools. From the beginning, the goal wasn’t simply to raise money but to give schools a meaningful way to rally their communities around a shared purpose and invest in what matters most: their children’s future.
This year, that shared effort brought together 50 Catholic schools across Minnesota and South Dakota. With the help of school staff, families and ticket buyers, those schools raised nearly $1 million—resources they can use where they’re needed most—bringing the grand total to $17.8 million raised since 2009.
That impact didn’t come from a few large gifts. It was made possible this year by 8,000 students who invited others to support their schools one $10 raffle ticket at a time.
What sets the raffle apart from many school fundraisers is its structure. Every dollar raised through ticket sales stays with the school.
Catholic United Financial covers all raffle expenses, from printing to prizes, so schools keep the full benefit of their community’s generosity.
“We take a different approach to working with communities,” says Nate Lamusga, director of mission engagement for Catholic United Financial. “Unlike some organizations that just write checks, our support empowers these schools. Students gain a sense of ownership in their education, and the families and communities become active partners in the schools’ success.”
The annual raffle drawing is designed to be just that—a celebration.
At Catholic United Financial’s headquarters, the drawing feels festive, complete with balloons and a 9-foot drum filled with tickets. Winners are selected live, including one $20,000 grand prize recipient. But the celebration extends far beyond the room.
Across the region, schools gather to watch the livestream, cheering together as the winners are announced and celebrating the students whose efforts made the event possible.
At this year’s March drawing, Bishop Michael Izen, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul, helped mix the tickets and select the winners. Having experienced the raffle as a local pastor, he’s seen firsthand how it supports schools and brings communities together.
“I remember learning about the raffle and asking, ‘What’s the catch?’” Bishop Izen says. “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.”
For schools, the raffle reinforces something they work to teach: that growth is fostered through shared effort.
“[The raffle] brings the community together for a common purpose, and that’s to help all the kids get a good Catholic education,” says Sue Berthiaume, principal of Transfiguration Catholic School in Oakdale, Minnesota. “[We see our 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.”
That sense of partnership is central to why the raffle exists.
“Our purpose and the schools’ purpose are the same—helping families build a stronger future grounded in faith,” says Lamusga. “We want these schools to focus on their own priorities; then we work with them to make their vision a reality.”
Each school knows exactly what that support means for its community. For some, it’s new curriculum or classroom furnishings. For others, it’s preserving fine arts programs, purchasing gym equipment or offsetting operating expenses to help keep tuition within reach for more families.
The funds never leave the schools’ control. Leaders decide how best to use them based on their students’ needs.
What unites every use of the funds is helping students grow in faith—creating environments where students can learn, belong and thrive.
“The totals are big, but we see every dollar as another textbook, another 3D printer, another sports uniform and another student who can grow with a Catholic education,” Lamusga adds. “It’s not the dollars—it’s each child’s future.”
