The Living the Faith Grant Cycle is the Catholic Community Foundation’s annual open application grant process.
Parishes in the Diocese of San Jose are invited to apply for grants in 5 areas of work.
This process replaces the Spring Grant Cycle. There are significant changes to the process and guidelines, so please read the information carefully before submitting an application.
On This Page
2025 Application
Application Opens: Monday, February 17
Application Closes: Friday, March 14
NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Log into the online portal to access the application. If you have never logged in, you must register.
If the above button does not work, copy and paste this URL: https://cfoscc.spectrumportal.net/accounts/signin
Questions?
Please reach out to our Grants Program Manager
Additional Information
What are Living the Faith Grants?
Once a year, the Foundation offers grants to parishes in the Diocese of San José via an open application process. Parishes are invited to submit an application detailing plans for programs that fall into five categories. Based on the merit of applications, parishes will be awarded grant money to use for the upcoming fiscal year.
Changes in 2025
This grant cycle replaces what was previously known as the Spring Grant Cycle. Our goals for this new process are:
- Simplifying the application process to make it more efficient and less time consuming
- Aligning our grant categories with the work already being done at parishes around the Pastoral Plan
- Creating greater impact for the community through an increased emphasis on collaborative programs and focusing on parishes with more financial need
We are proud to implement these changes in close partnership with the Diocese of San José. We look forward to the positive impact this process will have on our local parishes, and we encourage all participants to give us feedback on the new process.
Grant Cycle Highlights
One Application per Parish
Each parish will submit one application. Multiple individuals may add to/edit the application, but only the pastor will be able to submit the application for his parish. Information for all five categories will be included in a single application.
New Category Definitions
The new grant category definitions were crafted to align with the Pastoral Plan of the Diocese. There is significant overlap in the Foundation’s grant categories and the work of the Pastoral Plan, so the new application is crafted to highlight those intersections.
Emphasis on Collaboration
There is a renewed emphasis on collaboration between parishes. If your parish has plans to work closely with other parishes on a joint program, there is room in the application to describe the partnership and potentially be awarded additional funding for collaborative programs.
No Parish Outreach Application
The “Parish Outreach” category (funding programs like Saint Vincent de Paul, food distribution, rental assistance, health fairs, etc.) no longer requires an application. Grant amounts are predetermined, and a separate grant check and letter will be mailed to parishes.
Grant Categories
Every parish is welcome to apply for funding in all five key areas. We grant to programs that fall under the specific sub-categories listed.
Family Ministry
Parents & Support
Families are the heartbeat of both our community and the Church. Grants from this category will fund programs for marriage prep and infant baptism and beyond, expanding family ministry to include marriage support and Christian parenting insights.
Formation
Prayer, Initiation, Spiritual Growth, & Education
Faith formation should serve all ages, equipping people to respond to each phase of life in light of the Gospel. Formation enriches growth in one’s prayer life, strengthens one’s personal relationship with the Lord, and deepens one’s understanding of the Church’s teachings.
Music
Music provides a reverent and joyful worship experiences that deepens our connection with Christ and his people. Joyful, engaging music lifts the spirits of the faithful. Grants in this category help parishes put their best efforts into helping the People of God experience the presence of Christ in Word and Sacrament through music.
Worship
Welcoming & Eucharist
As the primary way most people experience the Church, Masses should deepen our connection with Christ and his people. True communion with God and with each other demands that we put our best efforts into helping the People of God experience the presence of Christ in Word and Sacrament.
Youth and Young Adults
Engagement & Training
Young people are not just the future; they’re the energetic present of our Church, ready to spread Jesus’s message of love and hope. Programs in this category strive to walk with young people as they develop their relationship with Jesus Christ, discover that God does have a plan for them, and experience the deep joy and peace that are found in embracing His plan.
See the “Grant Categories” page for more detailed definitions and examples
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online
- One application per parish (you can apply for all five categories in the same application)
- Pastor must be the one to approve/submit the application
Who Can Apply?
Every parish in the Diocese of San José may submit one application. The single application includes space to request money from every grant category, so every parish may request funding from all five program areas.
Pastors must be the one to submit/approve his parish’s application. Other online users may add to/edit the application before it is submitted.