2015 Reportto Our

Donors

History of the OLV Homes of Charity

Operational Support

Today’s Homes

$63,000 from the spring fundraising event went to Baker Victory Services’ vocational training program, WAY.

The direct-mail team prepared nearly 2.5 million pieces in 2015!

It wasn’t long after his appointment to what was then known as the Limestone Hill Institutions in 1882 that Father Nelson Baker learned the campus — a parish, an orphanage and a home for boys who were “inclined to truancy” — had amassed a significant debt (an amount that, in today’s dollars, would exceed $1.3 million). Given the importance of the institutions’ mission, the shrewd businessman-turned-priest set his mind to devising ways to pull these programs out of debt.

He secured lists of Catholic women from postmasters throughout the U.S. and wrote each a letter asking them for their support. For 25 cents, benefactors could become members of the Association of Our Blessed Lady of Victory and be remembered in his prayers and in those of the children in his care. In doing so, Father Baker became a pioneer in the field of direct-mail fundraising, a giving vehicle still relied upon by the Homes of Charity today.

That wasn’t the end of his ideas, though. Father Baker was well known for coming up with unique ways to offset the costs of his ever-expanding institutions. He sought per-brick sponsorships for the construction of theBasilica, regularly approached local business leaders for support and even successfully drilled a natural gas well to provide heat!

Building upon this history of dedication to Father Baker’s legacy of caring, the Homes of Charity acts as the fundraising arm of the OLV organizations, utilizing a donor base of nearly 60,000 individuals to raise funds to support Baker Victory Services, the Basilica, OLV Parish and Father Baker’s ongoing Cause for Canonization.

“Given the importance of the Institutions’

mission, the shrewd businessman- turned-priest set his mind to devising ways to pull

these programs out of debt.”

In addition to fundraising support, the Homes provides BVS and the Parish with critical business services such as maintenance, information technology, payroll and public relations. This streamlined approach results in cost savings and operational efficiencies for all.

Last year, donor generosity resulted in more than $6 million being raised. This was done in a variety of ways:

• DirectMail. Nearly 2.5 million pieces of mail went out throughout the U.S. and Canada.

• Grants&MajorGifts. Grant funding from foundations and large gifts from corporate partners and individual donors played a big role in 2015.

• PlannedGiving. Every year, many folks assist the Homes through donations of stock and property, bequests, charitable trusts and charitable gift annuities.

• SpecialEvents. Several agency fundraising events were successful in 2015.

Because of donors like YOU, lives are healed through the work of Baker Victory Services, spirits are lifted by the OLV Basilica and souls soar throughout the OLV Parish community. You do all of this through your dedication to the Homes of Charity. A few projects from 2015 highlight the significant impact made by our generous benefactors:

Because of You...

Perfecting a MasterpieceFifty years ago, storm windows protecting the beautiful stained-glass windows in the dome of the Basilica were replaced with Plexiglas. As a result, though, moisture caused the surrounding plaster to crumble. The restoration required 16 windows to be removed, straightened, scraped, cleaned and replaced. Luckily, the project — supported by friends like you — was completed just in time for Christmas!

A Much-Needed AdditionA decision to save costs and install a temporary altar within the Basilica was made nearly 30 years ago. But since that time, the piece had deteriorated significantly. Through a bequest to the Homes of Charity, the dream of replacing it became a reality. A permanent altar, designed and constructed by an OLV parishioner, was installed and dedicated by Most Rev. Richard Malone, Th.D., the Bishop of Buffalo.

Helping Youth Find Their WAYBaker Victory Services’ Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) Program was created to give young people with behavioral concerns and developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop career skills. Your support made it possible to renovate the WAY kitchen in the former Infant Home building. Says Joe, a program participant: “The new kitchen is great! It’s bright and gets me excited about learning how to cook.”

A New Place to CelebrateServing youth with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral disorders, Baker Hall School has not been updated much since opening in 1968. Due to your support, a gymnasium renovation project began in 2015. Work has since been completed on a refurbished floor, freshly painted walls and a new scoreboard. Amber, a current student, is thrilled and appreciative: “I’m proud of the new look…thank you!”

Some of the Basilica windows prior to being restored in late 2015.

Vocational training was enhanced with the new-look WAY kitchen. A renovated gym at Baker Hall School has students smiling!

A new, permanent altar was dedicated by Bishop Richard Malone.

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Total Support Received in 2015:

$6,527,279

Distribution of Financial Support

Distribution of Support Services

Contributions*: 49%

Legacies & Bequests: 46%

The Homes of Charity’s mission is based on two tenets: To support the other OLV organizations & to promote

devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Victory. In 2015, financial assistance was distributed this way:

The Homes of Charity also provides support services to the OLV organizations in key business areas such as maintenance,

payroll, information technology & public relations. This benefit totaled more than $2.9 million in 2015!

Charitable Gift Annuities: 2%

44% For the children

& families of Baker Victory

Services

30% Steam - The Boiler House provides

heat/steam to the OLV campus

27% Maintenance/Facilities -

Provided to entire OLV campus

22% Information Technology includes network, hardware & telephones

11% Payroll Services

10% Public Relations & Marketing

33% For promotion

of devotion to Our Lady of Victory

23% For the

OLV Basilica & National Shrine

Special Events: 3%

* “Contributions” include revenue from Direct Mail, Major Giving and Corporate/Foundation Support

TOTAL SUPPORTRECEIVED