In 2024, the International Institute for Culture has accomplished substantial work in advancing its mission of re-evangelizing culture and bringing people closer to Christ.

Meal Prep to Feed The Needy

Among our achievements:

• Showcasing thought-provoking lectures and beautiful musical performances, which uplift the soul and engage the intellect.
• Hosting pro-life training sessions for crisis pregnancy centers, equipping them with the resources to support women and families in need.
• Support food relief programs throughout the year to serve our neighbors in need.
• Launching a brand-new modern website to better share our work and message with the world.
• Growing our YouTube library, which received over 77,000 views this year, and surpassing 5,000 subscribers as we continue to reach more people.
• Initiating a documentary project to preserve the historical significance of the Overbrook home of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, ensuring that its legacy endures for future generations.
• Starting a vital vocations initiative to promote vocations to the priesthood, including the ThankAPriest.com Initiative. As Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus shared:

“I commend the International Institute for Culture and their vocations initiative. It’s nice to hear good news about priests, their selfless service, and their heroic work of ministry, which is inspiring to so many. The ThankAPriest.com initiative, which helps tell these stories, is vital in promoting vocations and building a culture of vocations, which is so necessary for the Church today.”

Vocations Promotions

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of donors like you.

But the need continues. We were ultimately not able to cover all the costs we incurred in the summer as we did major repairs of the property. The need continues as chimneys need to be tuck-pointed and capped to prevent further water damage and plaster crumbling off the interior walls. Utilities alone cost us $15,000 a year. Ivy Hall is a beautiful – and big – building.

Ivy Hall Facility Repairs Required to Support Future Events

We also had a thoroughly unwarranted expense this summer. Ivy Hall had been granted exemption from property taxes by the City in 2001 as a non-profit, educational institution. But in 2018 the city inexplicably revoked our tax-exempt status, and attempted to charge us an outrageous sum in taxes and even threatened sheriff’s Sale of the building. We had to engage an attorney and finally settled with the City for $10,000 and paid attorney’s fees for almost $20,000 to recover our tax-exempt status. As you can imagine, this was a terrible financial blow from which we have not thoroughly recovered. However, our exemption from property taxes as a non-profit has happily been restored.

As we look to 2025, we need your help to not only cover these pressing costs but to continue our growing mission.

More Upcoming Lectures and Musical Performances in 2025

As we come to the close of 2024, I ask you to prayerfully consider making an end-of-year gift to support Ivy Hall and the ministry of the International Institute for Culture. Alternatively, becoming a monthly donor is a wonderful way to spread your generosity across the year, helping us maintain our mission and provide regular updates on the impact of your support. Every gift, no matter the size, helps sustain and expand our work.

Together, we can continue building a culture of life, faith, beauty, and truth in our world.

With heartfelt gratitude in Our Lord,

John M. Haas
President and Founder
International Institute for Culture

P.S. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission. Your generosity ensures that the International Institute for Culture continues to be a beacon of light, hope, and culture in our world.