Capital Campaign
Building the future of young Latino leaders
Iskali has grown into a thriving organization, serving hundreds of young adults through a comprehensive model of faith formation and evangelization. What began as a grassroots initiative is now a dynamic network of communities, leaders, and programs transforming lives.
This growth has been made possible largely through a strong and committed volunteer base. But as the need continues to expand, so must our capacity.
To meet this moment, Iskali is launching a Capital Campaign to invest in people, programs, and spaces that will sustain and multiply this mission.
Why this Matters
A generation is being left behind
Why this Matters
A generation is being left behind
The reality is clear:
Young Latino Catholics are not lacking faith—they are lacking community, belonging, and formation.
At the same time:
64%
of U.S. Hispanics are U.S.-born
60%
of Catholics under 18 are Latino
55%
of U.S. Catholics under 30 are Latino
The future of the Church is Latino, and young.
The gap
The investment has not matched the opportunity
The gap
The investment has not matched the opportunity
Only 4 in 10 parishes offer formal Latino youth ministry programs
Just 26% of dioceses have dedicated leadership for Latino youth ministry
26% of ministry leaders serve as unpaid volunteers
Despite being the fastest-growing Catholic population, Latino young adults remain underserved.
What makes Iskali different
A proven model for impact, Iskali addresses this gap through:
What makes Iskali different
A proven model for impact, Iskali addresses this gap through:
Impact snapshots
A growing movement
Impact snapshots
A growing movement
15 years building pathways for young people to flourish
28 communities across Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and Yakima
105,000 volunteer hours annually
280 active volunteers
40 young adults in leadership roles
4,500 people served annually through Casa Iskali
130 participants in sports leagues each year
100+ scholarship recipients
A mentor assigned to every mentee applicant
A podcast reaching 38 countries and 500+ U.S. zip codes
Strategic partnership with the University of Notre Dame
The need
Why we are launching this campaign
The need
Why we are launching this campaign
As Iskali continues to grow, it has become essential to:
Expand
our team to sustainably support our programs
Grow
and strengthen our formation initiatives
Renovate
and develop Casa Iskali as the central hub for evangelization
Casa Iskali is more than a building: it is the heart of the mission.
This campaign will ensure that more young adults encounter God, find community, and become leaders in their faith.
Timothy Matovina, Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
"Over the next three decades, the number of third-generation Latinos will triple, and the number of second-generation Latinos will double. Latino youth are shaping every facet of life in the United States. Iskali is at the forefront of training the transformative leaders we need in church and society."
Martin Cabrera, CEO & Founder Cabrera Capital Markets
Iskali is making a huge difference in the Catholic community and is reaching our youth unlike any other program in the country. They are the guiding light for your young Catholics and quenching the spiritual thirst and knowledge young adults are desperately seeking. Iskali’s outreach is God’s flame that is bringing young adults back to their Catholic faith and filling their heart and soul with our beautiful Catholic values.
Hosffman Ospino, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Education, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
"Hispanic young people are the present and the future of the Catholic Church in the United States of America as well as of countless cities and neighborhoods. Investing in them now is investing in our future as a nation. Iskali is an initiative that believes in the potential of young Hispanics and provides spaces for them to grow as human beings, as Christian disciples, and as citizens in an increasingly diverse society. I am pleased to know about the success of Iskali, which models creative ministry with Hispanic Catholic youth. I look forward to seeing its outreach expand in Chicago and in other parts of the country."
Stories of hope
Stories of hope
Alexis Campa
From the Streets to the University
Alexis grew up in Chicago, the son of Mexican immigrants. By eighth grade he was spending time with gang members. Drugs followed. He was suspended repeatedly, arrested a month before graduation, and expelled. Then he attended an Iskali retreat. For the first time he encountered authentic friendships and a joy he had never known. With the support of the Iskali community and his family, he returned to college at 21 as an Iskali scholarship recipient.
Today Alexis is a senior at the University of St. Thomas pursuing a double major in mechanical engineering and Catholic studies. As an Iskali missionary, he founded and leads a weekly Catholic faith group on campus.
"God never gave up on me, even when I had given up on myself. Iskali became the place where my life began to change."
Jose Gonzalez
From Retreat to Seminary
Jose joined Iskali in 2019 while rediscovering his Catholic faith. He found a community of young Catholics seeking something greater than themselves. Through retreats and small communities, he began wrestling with deeper questions about his identity, his vocation, and his call.
A retreat in May 2021 became a turning point. By March 2022, after prayer and discernment accompanied by the Iskali community, Jose applied to seminary.
Today, after nearly four years of formation, he remains convinced of his call to the priesthood.
Today Alexis is a senior at the University of St. Thomas pursuing a double major in mechanical engineering and Catholic studies. As an Iskali missionary, he founded and leads a weekly Catholic faith group on campus.
"Iskali was instrumental in that transformation in my life. It formed me, challenged me, and walked with me as I discovered my vocation."
Giselle Campos
A Life Rooted in Faith and Ready for Family
Giselle joined Iskali looking for community and found a deeper invitation. Through prayer, service, and a consecration to Mary, her faith took root in a way it never had before. Mary's example gave Giselle a model for her own discernment.
Today she is preparing for marriage and family, carrying with her a vision of faith lived out in daily love and service.
"I have been learning to surrender my own plans and trust in God's timing. In my consecration, I am invited to imitate her openness, choosing daily to trust even when the path is unclear."
Be part of what
comes next
Your support makes it possible to build a future where every young Latino has a place to belong, grow, and lead.
Your generosity makes this mission possible.
Other Ways to give
There are many ways to support Iskali’s mission, depending on what works best for you:
Other Ways to give
There are many ways to support Iskali’s mission, depending on what works best for you:
Smart Giving Options
- Stocks & Bonds
Donate securities and potentially receive additional tax benefits.
- IRA Gifts
If you are 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a charitable gift directly from your IRA with tax advantages.
Planned Giving
- Wills & Bequests
Include Iskali in your will and create a lasting impact for future generations. For more information, please contact us at (708) 574-2009.
Workplace Giving
- Matching Giving
Many employers match charitable donations. Check with your HR department to see if your gift can be doubled.
Additional Options
- Pledge Installments
Make your gift over time with monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual contributions.
- Tax-Deductible Gifts
All donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Receipts are available upon request.
Every gift matters
Whether it’s a one-time donation or a long-term commitment, your support helps expand Iskali’s mission and reach more young adults.
Frequently asked questions
A proven model for impact, Iskali addresses this gap through:
When will the work begin?
The work will begin as the funds become available from the Capital Campaign.
What will happen if we go over our goal?
All gifts collected after we exceed our goal will be put towards the endowment for the sustainability of IskalI.
Can I make my gift online?
Yes, we have set up a page on our website where you may make your gift.
Why should I make a pledge?
Most people take advantage of time-payments for major purchases. A pledge to the our Capital Campaign is a “time-payment plan” that makes it possible for you to meet your obligations without undue hardship. Pledges enable you to consider a more significant contribution to the campaign rather than a one-time gift.
Who will be asked to support the Campaign?
We are inviting the larger community to be a part of this effort. It is our hope that all will make a sacrificial gift for this major effort according to his or her financial ability. We hope everyone will play a conscientious role in securing the future of Iskali and our youth.
What happens if I cannot fulfill my pledge?
Pledges are made in good faith and accepted as such. If hardship or illness prevents you from fulfilling your pledge, let the office know, and other arrangements will be made.
What if I would like to give stocks, real estate or some other kind of gift?
There are several ways to support our campaign, please see the ways to give section on the next pages of this brochure or call the campaign office.