Jim Jackson joined the Diocese of Columbus on May 28 as senior director of the new diocesan Office of Advancement.
Jackson comes to the diocese from Cincinnati, where he acquired approximately 40 years of experience working in the private and nonprofit sectors. Most those of years were spent in advancement, development and philanthropy.
Jackson previously served as director of advancement at Xavier University in Cincinnati. He also led advancement efforts at the Athenaeum of Ohio, a Catholic seminary in Cincinnati for men studying for the priesthood, and then at The Summit Country Day School, a private Catholic independent school in Cincinnati.
“I have known Jim for many years,” Bishop Earl Fernandes said. “He is trustworthy, hardworking and professional. He loves the Church and its mission. I’m excited to have him in our beloved and vibrant diocese and to work with him again in the Lord’s vineyard.”
It was at the Athenaeum that Jackson met the then-Father Fernandes, who would later become Bishop of Columbus. Bishop Fernandes previously served as dean of academics at the seminary.
Jackson said the now-Bishop of Columbus was helpful and supportive, and the two developed a friendship. He said it was a joy to be part of his operations then, and when he recently was given an opportunity to work with the bishop, he was excited about the possibility.
“He’s a tremendous spiritual leader and helps make, certainly, me and our family better but also has vision and passion and love of the Lord that helps me see that in my day-to-day life, and it’s someone who I could easily get excited to be a part of their journey in evangelizing,” he said.
Jackson retired in July 2023 but returned to lead the Columbus diocese’s new office in what he described as a “holy moment.
“When I received that outreach, it makes you stop and reflect, and I felt like it might be what God’s calling me to do in this chapter of my life,” Jackson said.
As senior director of advancement, Jackson will collaborate with diocesan offices, clergy and parishes. He will build, direct and coordinate stewardship and advancement programs as well as create a deeper awareness of fiscal stewardship in the diocese.
The office’s efforts include growing the financial resources necessary to meet the needs of people in the Diocese of Columbus, and, Jackson said, to carry out the diocese’s mission in four pillars: evangelization, education, vocations and social needs. He said this will involve matching the desires of people and corporations with the diocese’s mission points.
Jackson said he is eager to partner with diocesan parishes and spiritual institutions. He looks forward to helping support, guide and offer partnerships as well as secure the sustainable resources necessary, he said, to support their strategic plans.
“One of the biggest things that I’d hope is to have strong engagement, relationship building and better outreach and involvement, communications with all of our diocese and the people of the diocese,” he said.
A Cincinnati native, Jackson and his wife, Mary, have four children and nine grandchildren. Three of their children and six grandchildren live in Cincinnati. They also have a son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren in Cleveland.
