DCJH Grants – What You Need to Know (2026)
The Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH) gives small grants to local nonprofit groups that help people in poverty within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The goal is to make sure parishioners’ donations are used wisely, in ways that agree with Catholic teaching. It is an effort by the Diocese of Springfield of Illinois under the direction of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki to promote justice and hope for the poor. DCJH puts into practice Catholic teaching on life and dignity of every human person and the Gospel command to care for “the least of these” (Matthew 25). Drawing inspiration from the Corporal Works of Mercy, DCJH seeks to address the systemic injustices that contribute to poverty in our diocese and to provide financial support for local programs and organizations that give realistic hope for the poor to break out of the cycle of poverty through effective and efficient interventions.
Furthermore, DCJH will assist in protecting life at all stages with an emphasis on the unborn by helping pregnant women to have hope for the future of their children and their lives. A stable family life in a home with a married mother and father is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and give children hope for their future.
DCJH also desires to transform the way we think about poverty. As such, education will also be an important component of the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope. Poverty is not a concept or a statistic, but a daily reality for millions of Americans. Every day, in the wealthiest nation on earth, people suffer from hunger, sleep on the streets, cannot afford medications for their illnesses or live in fear of domestic and community violence. As Catholics we are taught to seek out – not to avoid - the poor. We are taught, through the example of Jesus, that we are all God’s children and worthy of love, dignity and respect.
1. Applying for a Grant
- Applications are due January 31, 2026 and must be submitted online.
- You must be a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) or have a Catholic parish/diocese act as your fiscal agent.
- A Catholic priest or Catholic layperson on your board (who belongs to a parish in our Diocese) must sign the application.
- You need to explain how your work follows Catholic teaching and how it helps people in poverty in a real and lasting way.
2. Who Can Apply
- You must operate within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
- You cannot receive funding from Catholic Charities.
- You must serve a significant number of people in need (more than a dozen each year).
- No handing out cash directly to clients.
- You must avoid activities that go against Catholic teaching (like abortion, euthanasia, contraception, same-sex marriage, racism, capital punishment, or partisan politics).
3. How Awards Are Decided
- Each year’s funds come from the parish DCJH collection, taken the weekend before Thanksgiving.
- The amount each group gets depends on:
- How much money was collected.
- How many eligible groups apply.
- There is no set amount. Grants are usually modest, but they can make an important difference.
4. The Committee Review
- A volunteer committee reviews all applications.
- Members must follow rules of confidentiality and declare any conflicts of interest.
- Applications are judged on:
- Catholic mission alignment
- Impact on poverty reduction
- How many people are served
- The group’s capacity and accountability
5. After You Receive a Grant
You must submit a Final Expense Report within two months after your grant period ends.
This report shows how the money was spent, how many people were helped, and includes an optional statement that may be shared publicly with parishioners.
Quick Self-Check (All must be true to qualify)
- We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (or have a Catholic parish/diocese as fiscal agent).
- A Catholic priest in the Diocese or a Catholic board member (registered in a parish here) is formally affiliated with our group.
- We operate in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
- We do not receive Catholic Charities funding.
- We serve many people in need (more than a dozen each year).
- We do not hand out cash directly to clients.
- We do not promote or support abortion, euthanasia, contraception, same-sex marriage, racism, capital punishment, or partisan politics.
The Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH) is an effort by the Diocese of Springfield of Illinois under the direction of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki to promote justice and hope for the poor. DCJH puts into practice Catholic teaching on life and dignity of every human person and the Gospel command to care for “the least of these” (Matthew 25). Drawing inspiration from the Corporal Works of Mercy, DCJH seeks to address the systemic injustices that contribute to poverty in our diocese and to provide financial support for local programs and organizations that give realistic hope for the poor to break out of the cycle of poverty through effective and efficient interventions. Furthermore, DCJH will assist in protecting life at all stages with an emphasis on the unborn by helping pregnant women to have hope for the future of their children and their lives. A stable family life in a home with a married mother and father is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and give children hope for their future.