Established by the U.S. Bishops in 1979, the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) responds to the national and local communications needs of the Church through an annual collection which is held in most dioceses in May. Dioceses participating in the collection keep half of the proceeds to support local communications efforts such as televised Masses and diocesan newspapers, and send the remaining funds to the national CCC office to support the development and production of a wide range of communication initiatives that are carried out by USCCB staff and grantee organizations. A portion of the CCC’s national funds are also set aside for grants to aid Catholic communication efforts in developing nations.

The Catholic Communication Campaign Subcommittee is under the direction of, and assists the Committee on Communications, by advancing the evangelizing mission of the Church and the priority initiatives of the U.S. bishops through the Catholic Communication Campaign. Each year the Subcommittee, with the assistance of its staff, reviews and evaluates grant applications and makes funding decisions.

Grant proposals that met the criteria of the Catholic Communication Campaign are welcome. Deadlines for the next grant cycles are Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 15, 2010.

The CCC funds media projects – print, television, radio and Internet – that further the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ religious, charitable and educational purposes. Proposals funded by the CCC must meet four criteria:

1. As of January 1, 2008, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is focusing on five initiatives for a three-year period. Proposals advancing these initiatives will have priority consideration:
   - Implementation of the bishops’ pastoral initiative on marriage
   - Faith formation focused on sacramental practice
   - Priestly and religious vocations
   - Life and dignity of the human person
   - Recognition of cultural diversity with a special emphasis on Hispanic ministry in the spirit of Encuentro 2000
2. Proposals must be national in scope. “National” means that the program’s distribution has the potential to reach at least 50 percent of homes in the United States.
3. Proposals must be unique and/or timely.
4. Proposals that have funding from other sources, indicating a broad support, are more likely to receive priority consideration.

Certain requests are not within the mandate of the Catholic Communication Campaign: funding to reduce debt or purchase office or production equipment; projects strictly for parish use; media efforts not directly associated with the activities of and expression of faith in the United States or the country from which it originates; and fictional or semi-fictional productions for theatrical release. CCC funds can not be used for purchase of real estate, construction of buildings, support for education, equipment repairs or staff salaries that are not related to the funded project.

A current set of guidelines and application requirements are available by contacting the Secretary of Communications.

Some previously funded proposals

The national staff manages day-to-day operations and provides administrative support to the CCC Subcommittee.
Ms. Helen Osman, Secretary of Communications
Ms. Elaine Gaisey, Executive Assistant
Phone: 202-541-3320
E-mail: cccgrants@usccb.org
Fax: 202-541-3179