T E AC H I N G M I S S I O N A R I E S T O F I S H

OVERVIEW OF MPS

HISTORY OF MPS

Mission Project Service was founded in 1974 by a Maryknoll missionary who had worked 13 years in Tanzania. George Cotter, MM determined that “they could do more with more help, and more help is available.”

The first Funding Guide was published eight years later, in 1982 and the 9th edition of that guide will be published in 2015.

In addition to providing the Funding Guide to over 150 countries, MPS has developed and provided 2-4 day grant research and writing workshops on every continent.

In 2005 MPS was transferred to the Brothers of Christian Instruction, as an outreach of Walsh University in Canton, Ohio. Under the direction of Marcel Sylvestre, FIC, MPS increased its global reach and the funding guide became a branded resource for missionaries around the world.

THE “NEW” MPS

2015 marks yet another transition for MPS, as Brother Marcel delivers operations into the hands of the Missionary Oblate Partnership (MOP), a ministry of the US Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

MOP and MPS have been collaborating in editing the Funding Guide and in providing workshops for the past three years, assuring a smooth and seamless transition and an opportunity to now take the next step in the growth of MPS.

MPS STAFF & ADVISORY BOARD

Staff Advisory Board Arthur A. Pingolt, Jr.

Co-Director and Instructor Brother Marcel Sylvestre, FIC

Co-Director and Instructor Diane Conocchioli

Online Advisory, Research and Editing

Jennifer PingoltSocial Media and Website

Graciela Etchart, PhD. Workshop Instructor

Tom DrexlerWorkshop Instructor

Arthur A. Pingolt, Jr. Brother Marcel Sylvestre, FIC Brad Myers

Sr. Program Office, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Charlie Rotunno Executive Vice President, Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities

Mary Mencarini CampbellDirector of Nat’l Collections, USCCB

Seamus Finn, OMI ICCR Chairman

WHO NEEDS MPS?

Informal estimates suggest there are somewhere between 300,000- 500,000

Catholic missionaries (lay, religious, diocesan) around the world.

CHALLENGES FACING THOSE WHO NEED MPS

Below the Equator• Increasing number of clergy/religious• Increased cost of religious formation• Increased mission project generation• Increased funding needed for projects• Low revenue-generating ministries• Predominantly financially poorer areas

• Revenue-generating ministries• Ageing clergy/religious populations• Increased cost of health

care/retirement• Flat/declining engagement with

Church

Above the Equator

CHALLENGES MPS ADDRESSES

Below the Equator• Increased cost of religious formation• Increased mission project generation• Increased funding needed for projects

FUNDERS MISSIONARIES

What foundation or agency would fund our kind of project?

How much money do I/can I ask for?

Is it OK if I miss the deadline by a day or two?

How will the grant money get to me?

Do I need a fiscal agent?

What is a pro forma estimate?

Do I need my Provincial’s approval?

Do I need my Bishop’s approval?

Is there someone at MPS I can talk to?

If a foundation says “no” can I try again next year?

Is a grant progress report absolutely necessary?

Can I use the grant for something more urgent?

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

MPS – PROVIDING ANSWERS

“NEW MPS” STRATEGY GROUPMembership

Seamus Finn, OMI ICCR Chairman

Charlie Rotunno Raskob Foundation

Juan Molina, OSST Latin Secretariat, USCCB

Brad MyersConrad N. Hilton Foundation

Bill Canny (Formerly) Papal Foundation

Mary Mencarini Campbell Director of Nat’l Collections, USCCB

Diane Conocchioli Advisory, MPS Operations

Patrick Markey Director, Assn of Catholic Finance Officers

Alicia von Stamwitz Writer & Editor, VIA Editorial

Tom Drexler Director, Ignatian Spirituality Project

Greg McCarthy Director, Loyola Foundation

Marie Bernadette Thompson, OPCMSWR

Arthur A. Pingolt, Jr. Co-Director and Instructor

Marcel Sylvestre, FICCo-Director and Instructor

MPS AND THE OBLATE CHARISM

“First, help them to become human. Then, give them the hope of the Gospels. Finally, help them to become saints.”

- Saint Eugene de MazenodFounder, Missionary Oblates of

Mary Immaculate

MPS MISSION STATEMENT

Mission Project Service is a Catholic missionary capacity-building platform that seeks to increase the skills and effectiveness of missionaries seeking funding for their projects. MPS does this by publishing updated and accurate funder information and providing local workshops and on-line resources to missionaries and other grant seekers.

What does it mean to be a capacity-building organization in 2015?

More to the point, what does it mean to be a missionary capacity-building organization?

MISSIONARY CAPACITY-BUILDING DEFINITION

A ministry to missionaries and missionary organizations in the developing world that focuses on understanding and overcoming obstacles that inhibit realization of pastoral and human-development goals. It is a ministry that provides guidance and training that will allow missionaries to achieve, where possible, measurable and sustainable results.

- United Nations, World Bank, Catholic Social Teaching

THE MINISTRY OF CAPACITY-BUILDING:CALL TO ACTION

Miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand

When it was evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely, and the day is now over. Send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

But Jesus said to them, “They need not go away. You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, "Bring them here to me. “

Matthew 14: 15-18

THE “NEW MPS” STRATEGY

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, CAPACITY

KNOWLEDGE

At the core of MPS:

Agencies Funding Guide

Revised interactive website including digitized version of the Agencies Funding Guide

EXPERIENCE

In-person workshops and new e-learning tools

Workshop class 2014 - Lima, Peru

Webinars, slide shows, blog & educational resources

EXPERIENCE LOCAL PROGRAMMING

MPS workshops have been delivered on every continent in the world.

MPS funding guides have been used by Catholic missionaries in over 150 countries.

CAPACITY

Bridging the gap between information (the funding guide and workshops) and action via an eco-system designed to “teach missionaries to fish” including:Personalized grant-writing advisory servicesE-learning courses, classes and resource materials

designed to build, refine and grow development-related skills and abilities

Communications and community building initiatives (quarterly newsletter, blog posts, Facebook page, etc.)

OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS: ISSUES TO ADDRESS AT THE OUTSET

Capacity-building vs Sustainability: Think 12-18 Months

Fiscal Agency: “Phone A Friend!”

In-country Grant Director: Beware ‘Diffusion of Responsibility’

Solvitur Ambulando: Don’t submit an application, become a grant writer

Grant research and grant writing: Not a job, a Ministry

THE “NEW MPS” TIMELINE

Early October Email blast announcing New MPS Membership Platform

October-Dec Processing online membership orders Hardcopy 9th Edition Guide mailedWebsite & digital Guide available to MembersContinued build-out of website and and supporting

resources

January, 2016 Online Advisory Service launched

THE VALUE PROPOSITION: TEACHING MISSIONARIES TO FISH

Funder sponsorship of MPS components will lead to greater and clearer articulation of missionary

needs to potential funders and a more accurate communication of funder interests and

expectations in this process.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

MPS Memberships$50 per missionary for sponsorships of 100 or more provides

both Funding Guide and Online Advisory Service

Global Workshops $10,000 allows for a 2-4 day workshop for 50+ missionaries in

any country around the world

Digital ProgrammingGeneral sponsorship to underwrite Online Advisory

professional, update digital Funding Guide, create Membership newsletters, and provide language translation service

WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT PARTNERS!

A ministry of the Missionary Oblate Partnership and the US Province of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Direct inquiries to: Apingolt@oblatepartnership.org