The Catholic Future Foundation of Northeast Nebraska, with Catholic values at the forefront, professionally manages, stewards and invites investment into our northeast Nebraska community, giving all members unique opportunities to positively impact the future of the Church and transform lives.

• We will continue to be faithful stewards of all gifts and will manage assets in a professional, transparent and economical manner as we have done since 1975.

• We will be accessible to all donors and recipients in northeast Nebraska, acknowledging that meaningful gifts and needs come in all sizes. While we are united as One Church, we honor the unique cultures of each of our parishes in rural and urban communities. We will work in partnership with donors, account holders, recipients, parishes, schools and ministries toward a common purpose of transforming lives.

• We will provide excellent service to our donors, account holders and recipients as stewards of the gifts that have been entrusted to us. We will serve our community and its needs in keeping with the donors’ intent, our mission and the teachings of Christ.

Chairman:
The Most Rev. Michael G. McGovern, Archbishop of Omaha

President:
Thomas J. Sudyka, Jr., Omaha

Vice President:
Dr. James M. Tracy, Bellevue

Treasurer:
James J. Stolze, Chief Financial Officer, Archdiocese of Omaha

Secretary:
Bree Kotulak, Director of Stewardship & Development, Archdiocese of Omaha

Members at Large:
Terri Campbell, Papillion
Lance Jones, Omaha
Vickie K. Kauffold, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Omaha
Katie Sharp, Fullerton
Rev. Michael J. Swanton, St. Leo the Great Parish, Omaha
Dr. John Wingender, Omaha

James Ambrose, CIMA®, CAP®, CFP®
Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Global Institutional Consultant
Phone: 402.496.5145
Email

Jim joined Merrill in 1998 and has been with the firm throughout his career. He is among a select number of Merrill advisors to hold the Global Institutional Consultant title. In this role, he is dedicated to helping institutions articulate their financial goals and develop strategies to pursue them. Jim holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., as well as the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation, awarded by the Investments and Wealth Institute in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation, administered by the American College. Jim currently serves on the board of the New Cassel Retirement Center Foundation and has been active for a decade with the Christian Urban Education Service (CUES), to provide assistance to inner-city parochial schools. He is an adjunct professor in the Heider College of Business at Creighton University. Jim is also a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. Jim graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in finance and earned a law degree from the same university. He practiced law at Lamson, Dugan, and Murry in Omaha from 1993 to 1998, prior to joining Merrill. (He does not provide legal advice in his role at Merrill.) Jim and his wife, Jean, live in Omaha with their four children.

Matt Rehberg, CIMA®, CPFA, CFP®
Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Retirement Benefits Consultant Global Institutional Consultant
Phone: 402.496.5115
Email

Matt joined Merrill in 1999 and has been with the form throughout his career. As one of the select advisors to hold the Global Institutional Consultant title and the designation of Retirement Benefits Consultant, he works with endowments, foundations and qualified retirement plans to help them develop and implement investment strategies customized to their needs. He particularly enjoys helping simplify and clarify complex issues and educating boards and committees about the potential impact of financial decisions on their organization’s long-range goals. The services he can provide include asset allocation modeling, investment manager search and selection, and customized performance reporting. He can act as a liaison to Merrill’s Investment Policy Statement service for investment policy development and review. Matt holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc; the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation, administered by the Investments and Wealth Institute in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania; and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation issued by the National Association of Plan Advisors. He graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He is an adjunct professor in the Heider College of Business at Creighton University. He also serves on the board of the Millard Public Schools Foundation. In his spare time, Matt enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams and playing golf. Matt and his wife, Kay, live in Omaha with their three children.

Michael Lighthart, CRPC®
Senior Vice President Senior Financial Advisor
Phone: 402.496.5114
Email

Mike has been with Merrill since the beginning of his financial career in 1999. He works with his colleagues on The ALR Group to provide institutional clients with a range of services, from investment manager search and selection to helping clients develop customized asset allocation strategies. His prior experience as a board member serving on the investment and program committees of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands has helped give him insights into the needs of nonprofit organizations. Mike holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation. He graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In his leisure time, Mike enjoys coaching youth sports. He lives in Omaha with his wife, Kathleen, and their four children.

The Catholic Future Foundation of Northeast Nebraska (CFF) is a nonprofit Catholic organization established to support the long-term financial health of parishes, schools, ministries and Catholic institutions in Northeast Nebraska through endowments and permanent funds.

The CFF was created to help ensure that today’s Catholic values, ministries and institutions will continue to thrive for future generations. By building permanent endowments, the CFF provides stability beyond annual offertory income and fundraising.

Yes. The CFF operates to establish, maintain, and distribute funds for the exclusive benefit of the Archdiocese of Omaha, its parishes, schools and ministries.

A separately incorporated, Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, the CFF is governed by its board of Trustees and ensures investments are in alignment with Church teaching.

Unlike annual appeals or capital campaigns, the CFF focuses on long-term sustainability. The CFF is responsible for collecting, managing, and investing funds designated to support parishes, schools and ministries in the Archdiocese of Omaha today and in perpetuity.

The CFF makes it easy for you to give lasting support to the Catholic organizations and/or causes that are closest to your heart. Funds within the CFF provide need-based scholarships, parish and school maintenance support, grants for Catholic and religious education programs and support for many other areas. You can create a legacy by starting your own fund in the CFF. A planned gift to the CFF is just one way to invest in the future of our Church and help it to serve others for generations to come.

Learn more HERE

Endowments may be established by:

• Individuals and families
• Parishes or schools
• Catholic organizations or ministries
• Estate donors wishing to create a legacy of faith

Yes. Donors may designate their gift for a:

• Specific parish or school
• Scholarship fund
• Ministry or program
• Area of greatest need

All designations must align with Catholic teaching.

Starting an endowment with the CFF requires a one-time $25,000 gift or a commitment of $5,000/year over five (5) years. Once a fund is established, the CFF will accept gifts of any size.

Gifts may be made through:

• Cash or check
• Appreciated securities
• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
• Real estate or other assets
• Bequests and estate plans

Yes—and many donors do. Including the CFF in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary of an IRA or insurance policy is a powerful way to leave a legacy of faith and stewardship for future generations.

Yes. The CFF is a qualified nonprofit organization, and gifts are generally tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors should consult their financial or tax advisor for specific guidance.

Yes.  A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals 70 ½ or older to transfer up to $111,000 annually (in 2026) directly from a traditional IRA to the fund of your choice in the CFF, tax free.

This transfer satisfies Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) without increasing taxable income, offering a superior tax benefit to taking the cash and donating it.

The CFF is included under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) IRS Group Ruling. Visit catholicfuturene.org to learn more about CFF’s designation.

Upon request, we can provide donors with:

• The USCCB’s most recent IRS Group Ruling letter (2025)
• The CFF’s listing information in the Official Catholic Directory
• A statement of inclusion for donor files

Learn more HERE

Funds are invested according to a disciplined investment policy that reflects Catholic values, responsible stewardship, and long-term sustainability. The CFF works with professional investment managers and oversight committees.

A prudent spending policy governs annual distributions, balancing current needs with long-term preservation of principal. This ensures support is available year after year.

The CFF maintains:

• Independent audits
• Professional financial management
• Clear governance and oversight
• Transparency with donors and beneficiaries

Through endowments and permanent funds, the CFF provides ongoing financial support that helps Catholic institutions:

• Weather economic uncertainty
• Plan for the future
• Expand ministry and mission
• Reduce reliance on emergency fundraising

Donors receive regular updates and reports on fund performance and impact. The CFF is committed to honoring donor intent and communicating clearly.

You are encouraged to contact the CFF to discuss your stewardship goals, faith values, and philanthropic interests. Conversations are confidential and obligation-free.

For questions, consultations, or to discuss giving options, please contact:


Bonnie Nebuda
Foundation Officer
blnebuda@archomaha.org