About
The Catholic Initiative is honored to support Fr. Mike Schmitz and bulldogCatholic, the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. This vibrant faith community embodies the true spirit of evangelization, discipleship, and Catholic campus ministry, forming young Catholics who live and share the Gospel.
For decades, the Newman Center has been a place of spiritual growth, belonging, and authentic Catholic community. Under Fr. Mike’s leadership, it has not only strengthened the faith of students locally but has also expanded its reach worldwide. Since launching into digital ministry in 2020, bulldogCatholic’s content has amassed nearly one billion views across social media, drawing millions into a deeper relationship with Christ.
Why bulldogCatholic?
Fr. Mike’s global ministry—the podcasts, homily videos, and more—all flow from the local ministry of bulldogCatholic, which operates out of a dilapidated, 1970s split-level home that serves as a chapel, studio, and gathering space for students. Sunday Masses are held in a rented room on campus or at the Cathedral, requiring students to drive off-campus. No student should be turned away for a lack of space.
By partnering with Fr. Mike and bulldogCatholic, The Catholic Initiative is investing in a model of Catholic renewal—one that inspires young people, strengthens the Church, and fosters a culture where faith is at the heart of everyday life.
Supporting bulldogCatholic represents more than just an investment in campus ministry in Duluth—it is an investment in the future of the Church. By strengthening this thriving Newman Center, we are ensuring that students at UMD have a place to encounter Christ while also drawing on Fr. Mike’s leadership to refine and inspire Catholic Initiative efforts. His vision and impact extend far beyond Duluth, helping us scale a model that can transform campuses and parishes nationwide.
The Plan
bulldogCatholic has outgrown its current space, but its potential for growth remains immense. The capital campaign for bulldogCatholic will build a revolutionary Newman Center—one that will:
- Provide a faith-inspiring chapel for worship and prayer
- Create welcoming community spaces for students to gather and grow in faith
- Develop state-of-the-art studios to support bulldogCatholic’s global ministry
The Catholic Initiative worked closely with Fr. Mike Schmitz and the bulldogCatholic leadership team. Through these conversations, it became clear that the long-term sustainability of the ministry was a top priority. With that in mind, we are focused on establishing an endowment to secure bulldogCatholic’s future for the next generation of UMD Students and Catholics around the world.
Why did The Catholic Initiative choose this project?
Fr. Mike Schmitz is a dynamic and influential Catholic leader, known for his engaging approach to evangelization and youth ministry. As the chaplain of the University of Minnesota Duluth Newman Center (bulldogCatholic) and Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Duluth, he has profoundly shaped the faith of young Catholics through both in-person ministry and digital outreach, including his widely acclaimed Bible in a Year podcast, produced by Ascension.
Partnering with Fr. Mike represents more than just an investment in campus ministry in Duluth—it is an investment in the future of the Church. By strengthening this thriving ministry, we are not only ensuring that students at UMD have a place to encounter Christ, but we are also drawing on Fr. Mike’s leadership to inform, refine, and inspire other Catholic Initiative efforts. His vision and impact extend far beyond Duluth, helping us scale a model that can transform campuses and parishes nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope to strengthen the Catholic community on campus, for students today, and for decades to come! Learn More
The Catholic Initiative worked closely with Fr. Mike Schmitz and the bulldogCatholic leadership team to define the key goals of a capital campaign. Through these conversations, it became clear that the long-term sustainability of the ministry was a top priority. With that in mind, we turned our focus to establishing an endowment to secure bulldogCatholic’s future for the next generation of UMD Students and Catholics around the world.
The Catholic Initiative Endowment is a diversified fund composed of donations that are strategically invested by top-tier, blue-chip investment firms to generate sustainable income for specific projects. Each project has a dedicated restricted fund, held within the broader Pulte Family Charitable Foundation (PFCF) / The Catholic Initiative relationship, benefiting from institutional-level investment strategies and discounted management fees.
While the principal remains intact, earnings are used to support ongoing operating expenses, capital projects as needed, and key initiatives such as community hub programming and expanded scholarship programs. Funds are released on a bi-annual basis following a budget review process, ensuring disciplined financial oversight and alignment with project needs.
The Endowment Fund ensure professional stewardship, prudent investment, and long-term financial sustainability, providing cost-effective, high-quality financial oversight while maximizing growth and reinforcing each project’s Catholic mission.
The Catholic Initiative is actively working on three projects. There are two more projects in the queue with the intention of beginning them by early 2026. The Catholic Initiative will look to develop new projects in 2027.
"I was deeply inspired by the vision and innovation behind The Catholic Initiative. This model isn’t just about financial support, it’s about unleashing the full potential of Catholic churches, schools, and parishes. Many Catholic communities are vibrant and alive with faith, they just need the resources to thrive for generations. I felt called to be part of something that can truly transform the future of the Catholic faith.”
–Fr. Mike Schmitz
"I was deeply inspired by the vision and innovation behind The Catholic Initiative. This model isn’t just about financial support, it’s about unleashing the full potential of Catholic churches, schools, and parishes. Many Catholic communities are vibrant and alive with faith, they just need the resources to thrive for generations. I felt called to be part of something that can truly transform the future of the Catholic faith.”
