Guidelines for Requesting Funds

Download the entire Catholic Extension Funding Guidelines.

INTRODUCTION
Catholic Extension uniquely contributes to the growth and vibrancy of the church in the U.S. by strategically investing in under-resourced Catholic communities to unleash the power of faith that transforms hearts, lives and society. This national fundraising organization provides financial resources to dioceses and parishes through programs and services investing in people, infrastructure and ministries.

RECIPIENTS
Catholic Extension provides funds directly to financially under-resourced "mission dioceses" that are approved by Catholic Extension's Board of Governors. Funds are not given to individuals or organizations that do not work in these specified "mission dioceses."

For a list of approved dioceses, please click here.

INQUIRIES
If your diocese is an approved "mission diocese," please notify your designated diocesan contact person to discuss your funding needs before formally requesting funds from Catholic Extension.

To find your diocesan representative for Catholic Extension funding requests, please click here.

For general questions regarding eligibility or funding opportunities or procedures, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions document. Or, contact Catholic Extension directly at grants@catholicextension.org; 800-842-7804.

SIX TYPES OF FUNDING
There are six basic ways in which Catholic Extension provides support to Catholic communities:

• Category One: Building Foundation - Funds the operation of ministries that extend a basic church presence to the most under-resourced communities.

• Category Two: Building Leaders - Funds the education/training of lay and ordained leaders.

• Category Three: Building Churches and other Facilities - Funds the construction and renovation of churches and other critical church facilities.

• Category Four: Engaging Young Catholics - Supports ministries that provide faith formation for children, teens, and young adults and families.

• Category Five: Building Capacity - Funds initiatives that help the church increase its fundraising capabilities, manage its financial resources, and operate more efficiently. Includes support for Catholic Schools.

• Category Six: Enhancing Pastoral and Social Ministry - Funds a variety of pastoral and social outreach efforts of the church.
  
  
  

DATES TO REQUEST FUNDING

• March 1, 2012
• June 15, 2012
• September 1, 2012
• November 15, 2012

Click here for the detailed funding request schedule.

REQUEST FUNDING

Make a New Funding Request

Access Saved Requests or Reporting Forms

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
In addition to the funding opportunities described above, Catholic Extension works with partner organizations to proactively create additional opportunities to support Catholic communities in "mission dioceses." Partners are typically Catholic organizations offering services and resources to dioceses that the dioceses would otherwise be unable to attain due to the barriers of cost and/or geographic distance.

Partnerships provide support to dioceses in a variety of ways, but are especially represented in Catholic Extension's "Building Leaders" initiative. Examples of partnerships include universities that heavily reduce tuition for degree programs for lay and ordained Catholic leaders.

For more information about the current availability and nature of these partnership opportunities, please click here.