Project Sycamore A NFP Corporation
Alumni and friends protecting Notre Dame's Catholic identity
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Investigative Reporting
In our frequent bulletins, online videos, social media postings, webinars, and panel discussions, we do what no one else does: report what’s going on at Notre Dame that undermines its Catholic character. As Professor Walter Nicgorski said soon after our founding, now everyone knows they no longer can “sweep everything under the rug.”
We publish 1-2 investigative reports a month on a variety of topics. For example, we have covered the virulent opposition by students and faculty to Judge Amy Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination, President Biden's last-minute rejection of Father Jenkins’s wrong-headed invitation to be Commencement speaker, the university's uneven vaccination mandate, the campus-wide celebration of June as Pride Month over the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the establishment of an official NDAA LGBTQ affinity group, and the retooling of Welcome Week to remove "heteronormative messages that created an unwelcoming or awkward environment for many students."
Student Support
Faithful student leaders and their organizations are absolutely essential to the Catholic character of Notre Dame. Accordingly, we maintain close relations with organizations like The Irish Rover, Notre Dame Right to Life, Militia Immaculata, and Students for Child Oriented Policy and provide financial support and assistance with promoting their projects and events.
We also prepare resources that explain the unique benefits of Catholic education, aid students in the selection of classes, introduce them to reputable Catholic resources, distribute materials that promote Notre Dame's Catholic identity, and help to organize activities that draw attention to the countercultural value of the living tradition of the Catholic Church.
And we fund student internships and awards to promote high value Catholic identity projects and to recognize the outstanding contributions of students to Notre Dame's religious heritage.
Open Letters
When we believe that collecting signatures can effectively pressure Notre Dame to act in line with its Catholic identity, we invite our supporters to join us in signing an open letter. For example, 4,905 alumni, students, faculty, staff, family, and friends of Notre Dame signed an open letter to Father Jenkins urging him not to invite President Biden to be Commencement speaker. After the news broke, less than two weeks from Commencement, that Jimmy Dunne would be the speaker and not President Biden, the White House disclosed that the President had, in fact, been invited, dissembling as to the reason he declined, while the University refused to comment. This triggered dozens of media reports attributing Biden’s dodging the invitation to concern about a pro-life backlash, a concern raised by our open letter.
Apostolate
Our Apostolate is an organized effort under the guidance of our chaplain to encourage each other to pray collectively for the faithful and fruitful success of Notre Dame’s Catholic mission. Members participate in a Novena for Catholic Education as students are returning to campus following summer break, a daily meditation on the 12-Days of Christmas, and traditional Ember Days focused on alumni, students, faculty, and administration. We also send out an annual Easter and Christmas video, invite supporters to join with us in our daily prayer for Notre Dame, and periodically ask for prayer on a particularly troubling event.
Alumni Relations
From an annual speaker event during Reunion Weekend at Notre Dame to local presentations and event sponsorships, we provide regular opportunities for Notre Dame alumni, family, and friends who value the university's Catholic identity to network with each other and to cultivate relationships around their shared Catholic faith. In addition to our general audience of supporters, we manage a network of Young Alumni that conducts events and activities that are specifically for Notre Dame alumni who graduated ten years ago or less.
Where we work
External reviews
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Project Sycamore A NFP Corporation
Board of directorsas of 12/12/2022
William Dempsey
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No