Organizations interested in receiving a Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope grant are required to complete and file a grant application no later than January 31, 2024. Grants may be awarded up to $4,000. Decisions on funding and notification will be made at the end of May 2024. Grants will be awarded funding at the end of June 2024. The grant period is from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025.
Grant Guidelines
- Organizations applying must qualify as a tax-exempt entity or operate under a fiscal agent that has a 501(c) 3, e.g., Catholic parish or diocesan organization.
- Organizations must operate within the geographic boundaries of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and have diocesan or parish affiliation
- Organizations/projects must directly benefit a relatively large number of people.
- Cash disbursements may not be given directly to clients.
- Grants awarded to an organization for a particular project must be used for that project.
- The grant application is located at: www.dio.org/dcjh
- The grant application is now web-based. When you fill out the application, follow any prompts. Any attachments can be attached at the end of the application. Once done completing application, click to sign and a confirming email will be sent. A copy of the application will be sent to the applicant as well as the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope. There is no need to mail the application via post office.
- When completing the application, please list the “Organization Name” versus the “Specific Project” (project title). There is a separate field for the project’s title to be listed.
- Organizations can only receive funding for a “Specific Project” for three consecutive years. There is a one-year waiting period to reapply for funding for that “Specific Project.”
- Organizations can apply for funding of a different project during the one-year break.
- If the Organization receives funding from Catholic Charities, this will make the Organization ineligible to receive grant funds from DCJH.
- Organizations that receive a Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope grant must not participate in or promote activities that contradict the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church. Such activities would include but are not limited to: promotion of same-sex marriage, capital punishment, artificial birth control, artificial reproductive technology, abortion, euthanasia, racism, and unjust discrimination toward immigrants. Prohibited activities also include endorsing, or opposing political officials, candidates, or parties.
- Applications require either the signature of
- The pastor of a Catholic parish within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
OR
- An active parishioner of a Catholic parish within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois who serves in a leadership position in the organization, such as being the director or serving on the board of the applying organization.
- A Final Expense Report is expected within two months after the end of the grant period. Documentation for all disbursements will be required when completing the Final Expense Report and may be requested by diocesan representatives.
- If grant recipients fail to follow grant guidelines, or if funds are improperly used, the organization will be required to return granted funds.
- We ask that grantees promote the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope Collection on their website, Facebook page, Newsletters and/or brochures to the best of their ability.
- Please submit the application by January 31, 2024.
If you have questions about the DCJH Campaign, please call 217-321-1161 or email DCJH@dio.org
DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD IN ILLINOIS www.dio.org
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.