By Marie Galetto
Marketing & Grants Program Manager
As the newest member of the Catholic Community Foundation’s staff, it has been fascinating to learn about all the programs that we are able to support in our local community. From homeless outreach, to youth ministry programs, to musical training sessions, there are so many different programs that are enriching our parish life and helping those in our community who need it most.
Our 2017 Spring Grant Cycle is now open! If you have a program that will happen between July 2017 and June 2018, please apply! We will accept applications in the following four areas until March 31:
• Apolonia Andre Fund for Liturgical Music: Music brings so much joy and vibrancy to our Eucharistic celebrations. This fund supports parish liturgical music programs that enrich our worship and bring our communities together in Eucharist. Examples include: Workshops for choirs, musicians, & children; upgrading/updating music materials. Available funds: $3,900.
• Parish Outreach Endowment: Jesus’ teachings clearly tell us to help our brothers and sisters in need as if they were Christ in disguise. This fund focuses on programs which serve underserved communities and perform corporal works of mercy – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, etc. Examples include: rental assistance; food and medical outreach for the homeless; homework centers for at-risk youth. Available funds: $72,500.
• Parish Stewardship Endowment: Misconceptions about the word “stewardship” abound. When we, and I’m sure many of you, think about stewardship, it’s about more than a monetary donation every Sunday. This fund supports programs which view stewardship as a way of life that brings us closer to God as individuals and as a community. Examples include: stewardship leadership seminars; language coaching for ministers; providing devotional booklets for parishioners. Available funds: $60,300.
• Pastoral Ministry Training & Formation Endowment: Faith Formation is key to the spiritual growth of our youth and young adults, but learning about our Catholic faith doesn’t end after high school. This fund supports ministry training and faith formation programs that help people of all ages grow in their faith. Examples include: youth/adult retreats; youth/adult faith formation; ministry training programs; Hispanic leadership programs. Available funds: $72,600.
We encourage parishes, Chancery departments, and other Catholic groups to apply, as appropriate, in these areas. All applications will be submitted online through the Foundation’s website: https://giving.cfoscc.org/applicant-login.
Grant Workshops feature new content this year! We will focus on the required Mid-Year and Final Reports as well as the application process. There will be three workshops: February 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Refuge Parish; March 8, 5-6 p.m. at Saint Martin, Sunnyvale; and March 14, 6-7 p.m. in the Holy Family Parish Youth Hall.
Applications will be accepted until March 31 at 5 p.m. This is not a flexible deadline – we cannot accept any submissions after that date and time.
Visit https://catholiccf.org/what-we-do/grants for more information or contact me at (408) 995-5219 x21, or galetto@cfoscc.org.
We look forward to learning about all of your amazing programs!