Catholic Charities awards will range from $25,000 to $75,000

Brentwood Home Page news reports
Catholic Charities of Tennessee is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee for economic development and community organizing grants that will be awarded in 2012.

The grants from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will range from $25,000 to $75,000.  The pre-application and application process began Sept. 1 and continues until Nov. 1. Pre-applications for a CCHD grant are prepared online at www.usccb.org/cchd/grants. 

Over the past 40 years, many Nashville area agencies have been the recipients of grants from CCHD. Grant recipients include the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Rights Coalition, Home Safe, and the Tennessee Disability Coalition. Bill Sinclair, executive director of Catholic Charities of Tennessee, is also the director of CCHD in the Diocese of Nashville. 

“The CCHD grant program offers a wonderful opportunity to nonprofit organizations in Middle, Tennessee,” said Fran Rajotte, assistant administrator and advocacy leader at Catholic Charities who oversees the CCHD grant process.

“The grant program is one way that CCHD partners with local community programs to overcome poverty and injustice.”

Rajotte noted that Catholic Charities of Tennessee is a partner with the Nashville Poverty Initiative and Catholic Charities USA to reduce poverty in the local community and the nation.

To qualify for the grants, a nonprofit organization must have its own 501 (c3) status. It must also have a local office and director and an established Board of Trustees, with at least 50% of its members living on low-income or in poverty.

In addition, the purpose and activities of the organization and any of its partnering organizations must not conflict with the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church and must respect the life and dignity of every person. For additional information about qualification stipulations and the application process, contact Fran Rajotte at frajotte@cctenn.org.

Once an organization’s pre-application is approved to apply for the funding, a detailed and lengthy application process begins. During March 2012, Catholic Charities will review the submission and schedule a site visit.  A report is then prepared by Catholic Charities and discussed with a CCHD representative.

If both organizations approve the submission, a grant amount is then agreed upon and the paperwork is submitted to Bishop David Choby, Diocese of Nashville for his approval.  It is then forwarded to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for a vote at its June meeting.  Winners will be notified in summer 2012 and grant checks received in fall 2012.

Organizations receiving a grant can reapply each year for six years.  After receiving a grant for six years, there is a waiting period of three years before that organization can re-apply.