Symphony Advancement

05/26/2026

FEMA suggests FY2025 NSGP award announcements could come as soon as June 2026. Groups push for increase in FY26 funding to $1 Billion.

FEMA FY25 Award Announcement Expected in June 2026 Victoria Barton, Associate Administrator for the Office of External Affairs at FEMA said FY 2025 NSGP awards are expected to be announced in June. “We are working diligently and as fast as we can to get the money out of the door,” said Barton, ....

05/08/2026

FEMA Announces update on FY25 & FY26 nonprofit security grant program.

FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith announced this morning that following the extended shut down (120 days) DHS team members are working diligently to review FY25 grant applications. No results have been announced as yet, however FEMA expects to have award information available for State Administrativ

05/06/2026

04/28/2026

Gratia non tollit naturam, sed perficit - "Grace builds on nature"
How advertising is transforming the response to vocations

In late 2024 the Vocations office at the Archdiocese of New York officially sounded the alarm. Two men applied to the seminary, a record low.

By July of 2025 Father George Sears was sifting through more than 800 inquiries from young men who wanted to learn more about the Priesthood.

What changed in less than a year's time to create a veritable deluge of vocation responses? The launch of a formal ad campaign.
(Read more below)

Gratia non tollit naturam, sed perficit - "Grace builds on nature" How advertising is transforming the response to vocations In late 2024 the Vocations office at the Archdiocese of New York officially sounded the alarm. Two men applied to the seminary, a record low. By July of 2025 Father George Sea...

04/27/2026

Join us for a patriotic evening!

04/23/2026

04/17/2026

CRISIS RESPONSE IN BUILDING DESIGN

If you live in the Midwest current weather events may have you thinking about crisis response during extreme weather hazards. Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois have experienced an unprecedented outbreak of tornados this April. As of April 15, 2026 Wisconsin reported 31 tornados across the state, that compares to a prior high of 28 tornados recorded in 2011.

For organizations undertaking building expansion projects or capital campaigns an often overlooked consideration is how an organization may respond during a crisis or emergency weather event. Incorporating safety into your design may have life saving benefits and could potentially open up new funding sources for your organization.

The National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) states that tornados represent one of the most dangerous natural weather events which can occur. While improved forecasting and alert systems have reduced casualties over the years the unpredictable nature and rapid onset of tornados makes these severe weather events a serious risk.

NSSA representatives state that incorporating structural design modifications during building design process can help mitigate crisis events like extreme weather hazards, vehicular attack or even active shooter scenarios. Such modifications often result in nominal cost increases and can have life saving implications.

"I can't tell you how many buildings I've been in where a simple design choice might have made a facility more secure and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in retro-fitting costs," said Jeffrey Robb, O.C.D.S. Managing Director of Symphony Advancement. "An all glass entry hall adds light and visibility but also presents a some safety risks. Are there ways to incorporate design elements like windows and do so in a way that makes sense from an safety perspective? I believe 'yes' that if safety and security are design considerations from the start there are often many ways to address both aesthetic and safety concerns."

Federal funding resources including emergency shelter grants can help organizations offset the cost of incorporating design elements such as a tornado shelter into their building projects. Such grants can provide up to a million dollars or more for shelter expenses. The National Weather Service suggests that shifting populations and changing weather patterns may mean many areas do not have sufficient emergency shelter structures in place.

If your organization is interested in exploring funding resources to enhance safety and security contact us today.
https://www.symphonyadvancement.com/contact

04/15/2026

Spring surge in Catholic School enrollments

National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) data points to continuing growth in Catholic school enrollment over the past year. Following the COVID shut downs Catholic schools have steadily increased enrollment nationwide for the past four years in a row. NCEA's recent statistical report shows continuing growth in enrollment trends around the country.

Symphony marketing clients have also witnessed increased school enrollment - on average 10% enrollment growth per school. "In one Diocese we added more than 100 students for the 25-26 school year," said Jeffrey Robb, Managing Director of Symphony Advancement.

"Enrollment growth for the 26-27 school year is also showing some of the best results yet. We are witnessing schools receiving 40 to 70 new parent inquiries and we aren't even at the registration deadlines yet."

Robb credits the increase in school enrollment to both environmental trends such as increased parental desire for Catholic education and more effective marketing by Catholic Schools.

"Symphony uses a conventional approach to marketing our Catholic School clients. We develop high quality television commercials, streaming ads, social media videos, outdoor billboards and direct mail pieces," Robb says. "While this concept isn't new, we're seeing schools seriously begin to invest in recruiting and enrolling new students."

According to the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) the average private school in the United States spends $2869 to recruit and enroll a single new student. Symphony Advancement clients are currently averaging $1500 to $1750 for each new enrollment. By contrast a single new student can generate $5,000 to $10,000 or more in annual revenues making the acquisition cost well worth the investment.

Robb cautions "it's important for Schools to look for a company that has an extensive background in both Catholic and education marketing. It's not just about being able to buy and place ads. A good marketing company will help schools understand their market, conduct parent surveys, focus groups and research designed to articulate a compelling message."

"There's a certain science to it, what works and what doesn't. And most importantly - everyone on our team prays!"

To schedule a free marketing consultation and discover how your school can grow enrollment, contact us today.

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