Your Philanthropic Advisors...
Partnering with you to serve those in need
Michael Hake recalls the cold December morning that he first served meals with his men’s faith group to women seeking refuge at the Samaritan House Women’s Emergency Shelter. “It was a phenomenal experience,” he said of the volunteer opportunity a couple of years ago. “You go in expecting to give back, and you walk out realizing how much they are giving back to you in the lessons you learn,” he said. Shortly after, his wife, Erica, was praying and singing outside Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains near the Marisol Health medical clinic in Denver. She noticed the signage outside Marisol was somewhat difficult to read from a distance. They agreed to do something about it. “What a wonderful thing it would be to help design and sponsor a new sign for Marisol Health that has better color, contrast, and fonts for improved visibility,” Erica said. That began the Hake family’s discovery of the many ministries of Catholic Charities and…
READ MORE >Meet the New Development Team!
Craig Saeman
Chief Development Officer
720–799–9222
CSaeman@ccdenver.org
I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. Jesus Christ spoke often in the Gospels compelling us to help those who are less fortunate, and Catholic Charities is at the forefront in the Denver community of offering a hand up to so many who come to our doors. I’m a Denver native with a strong background in investment management, development and philanthropy. I currently sit on six boards that include ACE, FOCUS, Augustine Institute and the Archdiocese Catholic School Advisory Board. I am honored to lead the Charities development team and be called to this opportunity to help give back to a Church I love.
-Craig Saeman
“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” -St. John Paul II
I believe the solution to our world is service to others, and the service we provide at Charities is the solution—it starts today! I am humbled by the work done at Catholic Charities and am proud to be a part of it. As the Lord asks in Isaiah, “Whom shall I send?” I want to cheerfully, freely, and willingly answer, “Send me.”
In addition to working for Catholic Charities, I am a firefighter for South Metro Fire Rescue. After graduating with an MBA from Babson College in Boston, I helped launch a software startup in San Francisco and worked as its COO. I have an entrepreneurial background, having owned and sold several businesses. My wife and I are Denver natives and raise our seven children (four girls and three boys) in Littleton. As a family, we believe in the grace of giving. We tithe, give to local nonprofits and support Catholic missionaries.
Catholic Charities is the voice for the voiceless—those marginalized and forgotten members of our community. It is my privilege to be their voice and invite you to the joyful life found through serving them.
-Tim Urban
Tim Urban
Philanthropic Advisor
720–799–9258
TUrban@ccdenver.org
John Neal
Philanthropic Advisor
720–799–9251
JNeal@ccdenver.org
I have always found so much satisfaction and joy in my faith and past work in the Catholic Church, so coming back was completely natural. That’s even more true in my new position as a philanthropic advisor for Catholic Charities and aiding it’s work for those in most need. As Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 22:34 when asked, “Which is the great commandment in the law”? His reply, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
After serving as vice president of finance and operations for 15 years at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, I retired from seminary work in 2015 to pursue some personal projects. Before joining the seminary, I was engaged in a number of communications, marketing and financial positions for various companies in the Denver area. From 1982 to 2000, I was part of three different Denver-based organizations, including Daniels and Associates, United Artists Theater Circuit and Medallion Enterprises. At United Artists Theaters, I held the position of senior vice president of marketing and at Medallion Enterprises, I was a partner is this family-owned venture capital firm. And I hold an MBA from the University of Denver.
-John Neal
Extend your mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His Mercy from us? -Saint Vincent de Paul
I believe that God has tapped me on the shoulder many times in my life and asked me to listen to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I pay attention and many times I don’t! This fall I heard His call and gave an enthusiastic “yes” to working alongside the committed people of Catholic Charities.
Twenty years ago I began my career as an AmeriCorps worker serving underprivileged children in Washington, DC, a role that evolved and found me drawn toward fundraising for schools in DC, adult literacy efforts in New Mexico, and university initiatives for my alma mater, The University of Notre Dame. Along the way I picked up a masters degree in public administration from American University, and more importantly, started a beautiful family with my husband, John, that includes four children and a very spunky puppy. Based in Denver for the last four years, and previously in DC, I’ve jumped into every gala, auction, committee, yard sale, and volunteering effort imaginable, and helped found a thriving parish-based moms’ group. I’m an active and joyful volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Church and School near our home in Cory-Merrill.
My deep conviction in God’s great mercy and the inherent dignity of all people – no matter their circumstances or how they arrived there – drives my desire to help connect Coloradans to the outstanding efforts of Catholic Charities.
-Kate Crisham
Kate Crisham
Philanthropic Advisor
720-799-9296
KCrisham@ccdenver.org
A: In April of 2019, Catholic Charities reestablished fundraising in house in order to better serve the poor in our community. Our philanthropic advisors can help you navigate the many ministries of Catholic Charities as you determine your charitable giving plan. It is a separate entity from the Archdiocese of Denver’s Office of Development and from the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal.
A: The money raised from the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal (ACA) supports about 5% of Catholic Charities annual budget. Catholic Charities is one of many grateful recipients of the monies raised in the ACA along with 39 other ministries including the seminaries, Seeds of Hope, Centro San Juan Diego, parishes parish support services, and more.
A: No, Catholic Charities is a 501(c)(3), a public charity of the Catholic Church and a separate legal entity from the Archdiocese of Denver. This legal status enables Catholic Charities to safeguard your gifts to serve those reached by our ministries.
A: The Catholic Foundation was established in 1998 to support Catholic organizations within the Archdiocese and to facilitate financial planning and giving as a fiduciary for current and deferred major gifts and endowments. If a Donor Advised account is established, Catholic Charities can be a designated recipient. The advantage of setting up a fund with The Catholic Foundation is that the grantor receives special tax advantages and an immediate charitable tax deduction for each contribution to the donor account.
A: Yes, Catholic Charities has over 75 locations throughout northern Colorado, primarily serving the Denver Metro area, Larimer and Weld counties and the Western Slope. Your charitable donation can be designated to a specific ministry, region or can be used for the greatest need within our ministries.
A: Yes, we have many opportunities for tax credits. A tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction on the taxes you owe, as opposed to a deduction that reduces the gross income on which your taxes are calculated. The tax credit program through which you donate determines the credit amount. By designating one of our four shelters, your charitable donation will qualify for Enterprise Zone tax credit in which thestate of Colorado allows you to take a 25% tax credit on your state income taxes. Catholic Charities of Denver has two opportunities to receive Child Care Contribution Credits, which support children in need. By donating to Early Childhood Education or Marisol Homes, a donor can receive a 50% state credit.
A: Approximately, 14% of the annual budget comes from individual supporters. Without individual supporters and family foundations, Catholic Charities would be unable to serve over 102,000 people every year.
A: There are many ways to support Catholic Charities’ ministries. In addition to financial support, Catholic Charities accepts donated stocks, bonds, annuities, vehicles and gifts in kind. Catholic Charities also can be named as one of the beneficiaries in your will. If you have more questions, please contact one of our philanthropic advisors to guide you through the process. There are also many opportunities to volunteer, listed at ccdenver.org/volunteer. And we encourage you to pray for us, and join our St. Teresa of Calcutta Prayer Society at ccdenver.org/our-mission/prayer-society.
Craig Saeman
I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. Jesus Christ spoke often in the Gospels compelling us to help those who are less fortunate, and Catholic Charities is at the forefront in the Denver community of offering a hand up to so many who come to our doors. I’m a Denver native with a strong background in investment management, development and philanthropy. I currently sit on six boards that include ACE, FOCUS, Augustine Institute and the Archdiocese Catholic School Advisory Board. I am honored to lead the Charities development team and be called to this opportunity to help give back to a Church I love.
-Craig Saeman
Tim Urban
“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” -St. John Paul II
I believe the solution to our world is service to others, and the service we provide at Charities is the solution—it starts today! I am humbled by the work done at Catholic Charities and am proud to be a part of it. As the Lord asks in Isaiah, “Whom shall I send?” I want to cheerfully, freely, and willingly answer, “Send me.”
In addition to working for Catholic Charities, I am a firefighter for South Metro Fire Rescue. After graduating with an MBA from Babson College in Boston, I helped launch a software startup in San Francisco and worked as its COO. I have an entrepreneurial background, having owned and sold several businesses. My wife and I are Denver natives and raise our seven children (four girls and three boys) in Littleton. As a family, we believe in the grace of giving. We tithe, give to local nonprofits and support Catholic missionaries.
Catholic Charities is the voice for the voiceless—those marginalized and forgotten members of our community. It is my privilege to be their voice and invite you to the joyful life found through serving them.
-Tim Urban
John Neal
I have always found so much satisfaction and joy in my faith and past work in the Catholic Church, so coming back was completely natural. That’s even more true in my new position as a philanthropic advisor for Catholic Charities and aiding it’s work for those in most need. As Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 22:34 when asked, “Which is the great commandment in the law”? His reply, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
After serving as vice president of finance and operations for 15 years at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, I retired from seminary work in 2015 to pursue some personal projects. Before joining the seminary, I was engaged in a number of communications, marketing and financial positions for various companies in the Denver area. From 1982 to 2000, I was part of three different Denver-based organizations, including Daniels and Associates, United Artists Theater Circuit and Medallion Enterprises. At United Artists Theaters, I held the position of senior vice president of marketing and at Medallion Enterprises, I was a partner is this family-owned venture capital firm. And I hold an MBA from the University of Denver.
-John Neal
Kate Crisham
Extend your mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His Mercy from us? -Saint Vincent de Paul
I believe that God has tapped me on the shoulder many times in my life and asked me to listen to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I pay attention and many times I don’t! This fall I heard His call and gave an enthusiastic “yes” to working alongside the committed people of Catholic Charities.
Twenty years ago I began my career as an AmeriCorps worker serving underprivileged children in Washington, DC, a role that evolved and found me drawn toward fundraising for schools in DC, adult literacy efforts in New Mexico, and university initiatives for my alma mater, The University of Notre Dame. Along the way I picked up a masters degree in public administration from American University, and more importantly, started a beautiful family with my husband, John, that includes four children and a very spunky puppy. Based in Denver for the last four years, and previously in DC, I’ve jumped into every gala, auction, committee, yard sale, and volunteering effort imaginable, and helped found a thriving parish-based moms’ group. I’m an active and joyful volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Church and School near our home in Cory-Merrill.
My deep conviction in God’s great mercy and the inherent dignity of all people – no matter their circumstances or how they arrived there – drives my desire to help connect Coloradans to the outstanding efforts of Catholic Charities.
-Kate Crisham
Contact the team
Our philanthropic advisors are available to answer your questions and assist with your giving interests. Email development@ccdenver.org or visit ccdenver.org/Development.
