Grants from the Catholic Community Foundation’s Community Priorities Fund focus on programs that improve the quality of life for vulnerable children and elderly in our community.

Grants from this fund are awarded annually to selected organizations serving:

• Elderly at-risk age 70 and over.
• Kids at-risk ages 5-18.
• Young mothers and fathers with families at risk.

Non-profit organizations interested in being considered for grants of between $1,000-$4,000 from the Community Priorities Fund may send a letter of inquiry by mail anytime during the year. In your letter:

• Explain how your organization addresses the needs outlined below,
• Ask that you receive a “request for proposal” for a grant, and,
• If possible, enclose your organization’s annual report or brochure with the letter.
• Send to:

Jules Vierling
Grants Manager
Catholic Community Foundation
One Water Street West, Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55107

Inquiries will be reviewed and organizations that fit within our guidelines will be notified by June 29, 2012 and asked to submit a proposal using the Minnesota Common Grant Form. Organizations that have been funded in the past will automatically be sent a Request for Proposal (RFP). Organizations then have until July 31, 2012 to submit their full proposals. The Grants Committee of the Catholic Community Foundation makes the final funding decisions and recipients will be notified by mail. Checks will be mailed by the end of December 2012.

We Will Consider Grant Proposals Supporting:

• Programs for elderly (age 70 and older) who have limited resources, limited involvement with family and friends, and wish to live at home.
• After school programs for 5-18 year old kids at risk.
• Programs for young mothers striving to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.
• Programs with clear and measurable results/outcomes.
• Priority will be given to organizations that utilize volunteers for delivery of service.
• Priority will be given to programs in organizations with annual budgets of under $1 million.

We Will Not Consider:

• Programs outside the Twin Cities 12-county area (i.e. Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, LeSueur, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Washington, Wright)
• Organizations with programs/activities that are antithetical to the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Multi-year grants (but we will consider one-year grants within multi-year programs)
• Relieving financial deficits
• Funding of general administrative or development costs
• Grants to individuals

Applicants must use the Minnesota Common Grant Application Form in this process.

Any questions regarding this process should be directed to Jules Vierling