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Transforming Communities

Invest in a thriving and sustainable Catholic Church

The Catholic Initiative is renewing the family of God by investing in and partnering with vibrant, but under-resourced parishes and schools to restore sacred places, amplify ministries, and sustain them for generations.

Who We Are

Invest in a thriving and sustainable Catholic Church

The Catholic Initiative is renewing the family of God by investing in and partnering with vibrant, but under-resourced parishes and schools to restore sacred places, amplify ministries, and sustain them for generations.

Transforming Communities

Invest in a thriving and sustainable Catholic Church

The Catholic Initiative is renewing the family of God by investing in and partnering with vibrant, but under-resourced parishes and schools to restore sacred places, amplify ministries, and sustain them for generations.

CNA Fr. Mike Schmitz to Launch New Podcast with The Catholic Initiative
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CBS New Catholic nonprofit takes ownership of Ste. Anne Basilica in Detroit
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ABC7 Historic Ste. Anne Parish in Detroit getting $30 million restoration
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Detroit Catholic 'Innovative partnership' will secure future of Ste. Anne for generations
CNA Fr. Mike Schmitz to Launch New Podcast with The Catholic Initiative
·
CBS New Catholic nonprofit takes ownership of Ste. Anne Basilica in Detroit
·
ABC7 Historic Ste. Anne Parish in Detroit getting $30 million restoration
·
Detroit Catholic 'Innovative partnership' will secure future of Ste. Anne for generations
Our Approach

A new model for lasting Catholic presence

2,600+ parishes and 2,000+ Catholic schools have closed in recent decades — not for lack of faith, but because they are cash-poor and burdened by aging facilities.

Our Vatican-approved purchase-leaseback structure transfers campus ownership to a dedicated nonprofit while guaranteeing the parish permanent, exclusive Catholic use for 200 years.

Our Work

Current Initiatives

Each partnership is carefully selected for leadership alignment, community strength, and a clear path to long-term sustainability.

School · Chicago, IL · Est. 1890
Josephinum Academy
Chicago's oldest all-girls Catholic high school

Preserving and endowing one of Chicago's most storied Catholic high schools — ensuring 94% women of color receive a life-changing education for generations to come.

Learn More →
Parish · Detroit, MI · Est. 1701
Ste. Anne de Detroit
America's 2nd oldest parish

Restoring and Endowing Detroit's historic basilica — founded in 1701 — as a vibrant center of faith, formation, and community service for the next 200 years.

Learn More →
Campus Ministry · Duluth, MN
Bulldog Catholic
With Fr. Mike Schmitz

Endowing Fr. Mike Schmitz's nationally transformative Newman Center at UMD — building a scalable model for Catholic youth engagement nationwide.

Learn More →
To be announced · Confidential
Indiana project
to be announced · Confidential
East Coast project
Featured Series
Debuted #1 on Apple Podcasts

Called with Father Mike Schmitz

Powerful stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives of service. Hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz in partnership with Ascension.

Each episode features real conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders who have answered God’s call.

Produced in partnership with Ascension

"The Catholic Initiative allows priests and religious leaders to focus on what drew them to their vocations in the first place."

Fr. Mike Schmitz · bulldogCatholic, Chaplain
View All Episodes
Stories & Updates
Latest Videos
Recent News
February 28, 2026
Mark Pulte, Chairman of The Catholic Initiative, Honored with the 2026 Bowie Kuhn Award
Mark and Julie Pulte receive Legatus's Bowie Kuhn Award for Evangelization, recognizing their work spreading the Catholic faith through business and philanthropy.
September 24, 2025
Pulte Foundation ensures historic Detroit church survives another 200 years, lays path for new model
A new operating model secures the Basilica of Ste. Anne's future and lays a path other historic parishes can follow.
September 17, 2025
The Associated Press: New Father Mike Schmitz Podcast Charts in Top 3 of All New Apple Podcasts
Fr. Mike Schmitz's latest podcast, produced with The Catholic Initiative and Ascension, debuts among Apple's top three new shows.
Ways to Give

Become part of something permanent

Your gift doesn't just fund a project — it purchases permanence. Every dollar restores a sacred place and protects it for generations of communities yet to come.

One-time gift
Make a single, impactful contribution to a project of your choice
Recurring support
Monthly giving sustains operations and keeps mission at the center
Anchor gift / endowment
Legacy giving that guarantees a parish or school's permanent future

The Catholic Initiative is a 501(c)(3) organization.
All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Interested in Learning More?

We’d love to connect

Michael McLaughlin
Chief Inspiration Officer
michael@thecatholicinitiative.org 574.299.6038
Chris Walsh
Principal Gifts
chris@thecatholicinitiative.org