SAN ANTONIO • Archbishop José H. Gomez appointed Barbara Spinner, the leader of two of the highest profile fund-raising campaigns in the archdiocese in recent memory, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Stewardship and Development. In making the appointment earlier this month, Archbishop Gomez said, “Ms. Spinner has shown great skill and commitment to the major campaigns she has directed. She has earned the respect of the community, and I am confident that her reputation will continue to serve the archdiocese well.”
    Since 1998 she has led the San Fernando Cathedral’s City Centre Campaign and Assumption Seminary’s Expansion Campaign, which combined raised more than $27 million. Spinner replaces Christopher Grasso, who accepted the position of vice president for advancement at St. Patrick’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

    Spinner, a skilled professional with 16 years experience in nonprofit development activities, will oversee and coordinate fund-raising activities for the archdiocese. Among her first responsibilities will be to prepare for the upcoming Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, a campaign that raises more than $2 million for a variety of ministries throughout the archdiocese. She will also be responsible for continuing the success the archdiocese has seen in securing funds from national, state and local foundations to meet the many needs of the church. In her new role Spinner will also assist pastors in developing a spirit of effective stewardship in their parish communities. 
    Archbishop Gomez will depend heavily on Spinner and volunteer community leaders in creating the new Catholic Foundation of San Antonio, to support the mission and ministries of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. In accepting her new role, Spinner stated, “I look forward to creating and sustaining stewardship programs and functions which will benefit the church and the people of the archdiocese.”
    Spinner comes to the archdiocesan position from Assumption Seminary where she has directed and organized the $13 million expansion campaign since 2004. She will remain actively involved with that campaign as it moves beyond its current total of over $9 million.
    Prior to assuming the director of development post at Assumption Seminary, Spinner directed and organized the San Fernando Cathedral City Centre $15 million campaign that actually raised $18.5 million in only two years. She also served as the executive director of the Historical Centre Foundation from 1998 to 2003.
    Spinner brings a wide variety of fund-raising skills and experience to the archdiocese. In 1989 she assumed the position of director of development of Father Flanagan’s Boys Town. She worked closely with donors across a four-state area. From 1991-1997 she served as director of development at Providence High School in San Antonio.
    Spinner is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She is married and has four children and eight grandchildren.