Bella Gentile
For one powerful day each year, the Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin community comes together to show just how strong, connected, and generous Lion pride truly is. NDCL Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising celebration, unites alumni, parents, students, faculty, and friends in support of the NDCL mission to educate leaders who transform the world like Jesus did.
The idea is simple but mighty. Each fall, Giving Day calls on everyone who loves NDCL to pitch in for the future. The gifts, whether big or small, directly support student life, scholarships, academics, extracurriculars, and more. It is a reminder that generosity does not have to be grand to make a difference.
Students may not always see it, but they are surrounded by the impact. From new technology in classrooms to better sports equipment and fuller art supplies, Giving Day quietly fuels everyday experiences. Senior Julia Martin admitted, “I didn’t realize how much of what we have is thanks to donors. It makes me feel proud to be part of a school where people care enough to give back.”
Pulling off a day like this is no small task. Behind the scenes, Mrs. Courtney Bacik, Donor Engagement and Annual Giving Coordinator, leads the charge. She compared it to “a giant marketing campaign” and even called it “the Super Bowl of the Annual Fund.” Weeks of planning go into designing messages that reach parents, alumni, students, and friends of the school. “It’s about finding the right way to connect with each group so they feel inspired to give back,” she explained. And one thing is clear: people want to see their impact. “When we highlight students and show how generosity directly benefits you all, it often encourages donors to give even more.”
This year, the story gets even better because students are stepping into the spotlight not just as recipients, but as creators. Bacik shared that instead of simply broadcasting information, NDCL is inviting students to help shape social media posts, create videos, and even lend ideas for design. “You’re the next generation. What catches your eye now is different from what caught donors’ eyes years ago,” she said with a smile.
Of course, Giving Day is not only about raising dollars, it is also about raising awareness of what makes NDCL shine. Gifts touch everything from academics and athletics to campus ministry. Sometimes the changes are glamorous, like new supplies or upgraded spaces, and sometimes they are more hidden, like professional development for teachers or even air conditioning. Either way, students feel the difference.
As for why people give year after year, Bacik did not hesitate: Memories. Tradition. Legacy. “For many, it’s the memories they made here. We have alumni who now send their kids and even grandkids to NDCL. They want to see the legacy continue, and Giving Day is a way to make that happen.” She also encouraged students to think of philanthropy as more than writing a check. Giving time, sharing talents, mentoring younger Lions, and keeping the NDCL spirit alive are just as important.
In the end, Giving Day is not just one date on the calendar. It is a living reminder that the NDCL community is strongest when it comes together, and that pride has a way of multiplying when shared. Each year, the Lions prove that generosity is not just about money. It is about heart, connection, and believing in the generations still to come.