Testimonials

We began looking for assistance with our Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in 2009. We selected Bannon and Associates because of their proven record in turning around diocesan appeals. From start to finish we were exceedingly pleased with the work Bannon did with us. In our first year we nearly doubled the number of gifts and saw a 40% increase in dollars donated. Eighty percent of our parishes exceeded their goals. Now in our second year, we continue to see increases in every measurable category. The Bannon method works, and Bill brings a vast amount of experience raising funds in Catholic churches and dioceses. He thoroughly understands the nuances of diocesan and church finances and the funding challenges therein.

Mr. Steve Siler
Executive Director, Office of Stewardship
Archdiocese of Atlanta

"What can I say?  When Bannon Associates, Inc. became our advisors, we doubled our Appeal revenue in the first year!  Although we continue to be delighted with the Appeal results each year, Bill always presents new and innovative ideas for the next year.  He is not content to provide one 'flash in the pan' great year.  With his help, we have maintained and significantly surpassed our initial growth, and look forward to a solid and ever-increasing Annual Catholic Appeal in the Archdiocese of Chicago."

 

Ms. Barbara Shea Collins
Director of Development
Archdiocese of Chicago

"I have worked with Bill Bannon and Bannon Associates for 18 years. My work with them has been in three areas to include strategic planning, Annual Appeals and Offertory Programs.

Bill Bannon has an exceptional understanding of Church fundraising and can lead any diocese or archdiocese to greater results. In the area of annual appeals, he assisted me at the Archdioceses of Denver, Los Angeles and Washington. I believe that the actual results will speak more loudly and clearly than any words I might write. Here are the results of Bannon Associates work in these three archdioceses during my time of working with Bill Bannon with respect to the Annual Appeals."

 

	Before Bannon Associates	After Bannon Associates	Increase
Archdiocese of Denver
(1991-1995)
Amount Pledged	$2,969,000	$5,050,000	70%
Donors	30,374	41,214	35.7%

 

	Before Bannon Associates	After Bannon Associates	Increase
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
(1998-2006)
Amount Pledged	$9,251,000	$18,787,000	103%
Donors	59,000	118,831	101%

 

 

	Before Bannon Associates	After Bannon Associates	Increase
Archdiocese of Washington
(2007-2008)
Amount Pledged	$10,156,000	$12,950,000	30.3%
Donors	45,448	47,575	4%

 

"In terms of the Offertory Program, I have worked with Bannon Associates’ in hundreds of parishes and it has consistently generated 20% or more first year increases for participating parishes. In Los Angeles, in our work together, we were able to increase the offertory from $97 million to $142 million over a 10 year period, a 46% increase.

The Bannon Associates’ Time, Talent and Treasure Program further increases offertory income and increases lay volunteers by more than 30% or more.

I highly recommend Bannon Associates to all (arch)dioceses for their appeal work, Offertory and T, T and T programs. They can also assist parishes individually.

In addition to fund raising skills and expertise, Bannon Associates has a unique understanding of Church, Bishops, priests and the laity. They have the ability to work with each of these very important constituencies to successfully obtain the results desired and having everyone feel positive at the conclusion of the experience.

I highly recommend Bill Bannon and Bannon Associates."

 

Mr. Kevin O'Connor
Executive Director of Development
Archdiocese of Washington

"Bill Bannon offers a wealth of knowledge on the giving of Catholics to their parishes and dicoeses and how to improve their giving to the Church. Bill was able to present good ideas and suggestions to improve our diocesan annual appeal.  He has a very engaging approach in working with pastors and lay people and we were able to take his suggestions and work with Bill to adapt them to greatly strengthen our overall number of gifts and the actual dollars received."

 

Ms. Jeanne Combos
Director of Annual Appeal Programs
Diocese of Arlington

"I had only been a first-time pastor for a few months when I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Bannon regarding the stewardship program (or lack thereof) in my new parish.  Bill actually sat with me on the rectory deck on many occasions giving me some great advice on our parish offertory, capital campaign planning, and our diocesan annual appeal.  We went big and launched all three programs simultaneously at Mary, Queen of Heaven.  That was six years ago.  Today, the parish still enjoys a tremendously high participation rate in our offertory giving.  We have a renovated church and school.  And we have doubled our annual appeal for our diocese.  Not bad, Bannon and Associates!  Thank you!  You are welcome back to Kentucky anytime."

 

Rev. Rick Wurth
Pastor
Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish, Erlanger

"Bill understands parishes.  When you combine that with his unquestioned expertise and decades of experience in fundraising, you can trust that following his advice is a very wise thing to do.  I’ve implemented the Offertory Program at two parishes, one in Los Angeles and the other in Phoenix.  Because the Sunday Offertory is the financial life blood of the parish, increasing it obviously makes all the difference in the world.  You will get the training fee back many times over, and continued counsel and companionship down the road without additional fees.  I often think of the work that Bill and his firm are doing as a gift to the Church."

 

Mr. Steve Pavich
Parish Manager
St. Francis Xavier, Phoenix

"The Diocese of Covington contracted with Bannon & Associates to conduct our parish offertory enhancement program in 2007 and 2008.  I have recently had the opportunity to review offertory enhancement programs provided by three other companies.  After working closely with Bannon & Associates for two years, it was evident that several critical items were not included in these proposals:  Personal involvement of key parish leadership; training of pastors and parish committees, comprehensive follow-up strategies, the emphasis on the need to give vs giving to need.  Materials were too glossy for a program that is asking parishioners to increase their giving.    If any Diocese of parish is considering exploring an offertory program, I highly recommend that Bannon and Associates be given the opportunity to present their program.  It is comprehensive, challenging, and  can be implemented within a reasonable time frame."

 

Ms. Sue Grethel
Diocesan Director of Stewardship & Mission Services
Diocese of Covington

"Bannon Associates' methodology and approach successfully directed us back to the origin of our Annual Appeal which lies in the involvement/engagement of our pastors and our local parish communities."

 

Mr. Patrick Grace
Executive Director, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation
Diocese of Cleveland

"Our Archdiocese is a unique mission diocese responsible for the pastoral and spiritual needs of military personnel and their families stationed around the world.  Because of Bill's practical knowledge and experience dealing with a wide range of Catholic organizations, he was selected to perform an in-depth assessment of our fundraising and communications functions.  His findings and recommendations were excellent - very strategic yet very practical, which made for their timely implementation. Equally important, after delivery of his report, he diligently followed up with us and provided additional high value insights."

 

Mr. Bill Kirst
Chief Financial Officer
Archdiocese for the Military Services
USA

St. Callistus Church is a large tri-lingual parish in Garden Grove, CA.  (10 weekend Masses, 4 Vietnamese, 3 Spanish, 3 English).  Implementing the Bannon  Associates Offertory Program 5 years ago was the impetus to the parish transitioning from being a “parish In need” to being able to repay the debt from the new church construction and then becoming financially independent with larger balanced budgets and surpluses for several years.  As a “rookie” (2^nd year) Vietnamese pastor, I enlisted the parochial vicars, staff and volunteers to attend the training which helped the implementation tremendously.  We experienced at least a 40% increase in Sunday Offertory almost right away.  Many parishioners didn’t wait until the designated First Sunday of Advent.

We have started our 6^th annual Offertory commitment process and use the same “tried and true” scripts, cards and basic process and follow through with quarterly reminders.  I am also grateful that Bill continues to provide some input for my homily on Announcement Weekend.  Thank you for providing a lifeline for our parish, Bill.  God bless you!

 

Rev. Tuyen Van Nguyen
Pastor
St. Callistus Church - Garden Grove