James S. Friend, Jr., M. A.
Director, Church Division

Jim Friend has 17 years of church-related experience in parish ministry, fund raising, management, volunteer recruitment and training. He began his career in Orlando, Florida, where he worked as a Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Religious Education. In 1994, Jim was recruited by St. Thomas of Villanova Church, located at Villanova University where he was promoted to Parish Administrator. While at St. Thomas of Villanova, he coordinated the efforts of a Capital Campaign that exceeded its goal and raised $1.6 million.

Jim’s extensive work at the parish, university and diocesan levels in Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Stewardship, Parish Leadership, Family Life and Parish Administration enables him to excel as Director of the Church Division at Ruotolo Associates. In this capacity, he is charged with addressing the philanthropic and stewardship education needs of our religious clients.

Jim recently completed a two-year diocesan stewardship initiative for 128 parishes in the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey. In 2003, the International Catholic Stewardship Council recognized Jim’s work, when the Diocese of Camden received the Total Diocesan Stewardship Effort Award. He also continues to coordinate marketing and advertising efforts in the Church Division. Jim’s office is located in the Philadelphia area.

Some of Jim's recent clients include:

• St. Paul Parish, Ramsey New Jersey ($3.5 Million)
• St. Agnes Church, Clark, NJ ($3 Million)
• St. Isidore Parish, Quakertown, PA ($2 Million)
• Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Bensalem, PA ($1.4 Million)
• Sts. Joseph and Michael Church, Union City, NJ ($500,000)
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oakland, NJ (Study - Campaign Pending)
• St. Anne’s Church, Raritan, NJ (Stewardship Initiative)
• St. Mary Parish, Fredericksburg, VA (Study - Campaign Pending)
• St. Jude Parish, Fredericksburg, VA (Study - Campaign Pending)

Jim also serves as the firm’s resident graphic and web designer. He has designed advertisements for national and diocesan publications, websites for churches, corporate customers and non-profit organizations. He designed our firm’s websites at www.ruotoloassoc.com and www.churchdivision.com. Jim also publishes our firm’s quarterly electronic newsletter, NETLINKS, and consults with staff on technology issues.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts from West Chester University (cum laude) and a Master’s Degree in English and Publishing from Rosemont College. He completed his Master’s Degree in 2001 and delivered the Commencement Address at the graduation exercises. At the 2004 ICSC Conference in New Orleans, on behalf of his parish, St. Thomas of Villanova in Rosemont, PA, Jim accepted Honorable Mention for a Parish Stewardship Video that he initiated.

Contact Jim at jfriend@churchdivision.com
or call 1-800-RUOTOLO