In Puerto Rico, houses of worship are entitled to 90% reimbursement of approved projects from FEMA as they begin rebuilding their facilities. This leaves a 10% “cost share” that parishes must provide to their construction project.
For instance, the average house of worship in Puerto Rico sustained $200,000 of damage, meaning that the local parish community will have to raise $20,000, while receiving $180,000 from FEMA to complete their permanent repairs for damages sustained during federally declared disasters.
Catholic Extension Society is introducing a special funding program for these parishes which will utilize support provided for our donors. The grant program is directed to parishes who will struggle to fund their 10% cost share, using either their savings, new funds raised from parishioners, or a combination of both.
For the good of the Church in Puerto Rico these limited grant resources will not be offered to parishes who have the financial capacity to pay their 10% cost share.
History:
In the past 10 years, Catholic Extension Society has had experience with 370 such matching challenges across the country, which have resulted in great success. Over this period, Catholic Extension Society raised and provided $13 million to parishes, and they in turn, were able to raise nearly $20 million on their own.
Criteria:
Catholic Extension Society plans to create new matching gift opportunities for the most economically stressed parishes of Puerto Rico, who meet the following criteria:
- Have been pre-screened and endorsed by their local diocese for this opportunity, for one of two types of matching challenges:
- Catholic Extension Society 50%, Parish 50%
- Catholic Extension Society 25%, Parish 75%
- Parish has been obligated funds by FEMA for Permanent Repairs/Construction.
- Parish has competitively bid contract(s) for all architectural, engineering & construction work to be completed that is compliant with FEMA guidelines.
- Pastor is willing to attend periodic meetings with other pastors in Puerto Rico in an effort to spark ideas and exchange information on successful fundraising strategies and practices.
Once approved by Catholic Extension Society, participating parishes will have up to one year to meet their challenge. The parish will receive a letter outlining the specific terms of the matching challenge benchmarks and conditions. The qualifying matching dollars must be raised after the matching challenge approval date. Any fundraising and pledges made prior to the matching grant approval date will not count toward the matching challenge. However, these savings and funds will be noted as a demonstration of the project’s momentum and feasibility. If the intended recipient fails to raise matching dollars in the agreed upon period of time, the matching offer can be rescinded by Catholic Extension Society.
To Apply for Funding:
- Read and review the criteria above
- Obtain Bishops Endorsement Letter, contractor bids, and photos of work to be done
- Complete the Online Funding Request