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Applying for a grant from the Subcommittee on the Home Missions does not require special expertise. Submitting incomplete information, however, can delay or even block the consideration of an otherwise good proposal. Before filling out an application form, please read the following instructions carefully.
Applicant
The Guidelines state that only three groups of people, divided into two classes, may apply for CHM grants: diocesan bishops; provincials of religious institutes; and heads of national, regional, or interdiocesan Catholic organizations (see Guidelines for Funding). Under no circumstances will the subcommittee entertain applications from any other source.
Grant Coordinator
Each arch/diocese, religious institute, and organization should appoint a coordinator for the grant application. This person should ensure that all the pieces of the application are properly completed and submitted in a timely fashion. The coordinator’s name, address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address should appear on the Grant Application Summary form. Occasionally, the staff must request further information regarding a grant application. It is important that the coordinator respond in a timely manner to such requests. Incomplete applications cannot be considered for approval.
Grant Size
There is no minimum grant for which you may apply. The maximum grant any arch/diocese, religious institute, or organization may receive is $125,000.
Signature
All applications must be signed by the applicant (diocesan bishop, provincial, head of organization).
Endorsement
Every grant application must include a bishop’s endorsement.
Arch/Diocesan Applicants: Besides signing the application, the diocesan bishop is asked to write a separate letter of endorsement explaining the value of the program to the diocese. This letter should be sent with the rest of the application materials.
Religious Institute and Organization Applicants: The CHM will not consider applications from provincials or heads of organizations unless they carry episcopal endorsement. Please ask at least three diocesan bishops whose dioceses the program will affect to send original letters explaining its value to their diocese. The bishops should send endorsement letters directly to the Catholic Home Missions office no later than April 1.
Financial Statements
All applicants must submit two copies of their financial statement for the fiscal year just completed. Audited financial statements are strongly preferred. Summaries or simple balance sheets are not acceptable. Financial statements must cover current beginning and ending fund balances, current assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year. If the most recent statement is not yet available, do not include financial information from the previous year; simply indicate on the Application Checklist when the information will be available.
Applicants are encouraged to include comments on the data presented in their financial statements. This is especially important if the statement indicates the possession of large assets or includes potentially confusing notes or figures.
Arch/Diocesan Applicants must furnish two copies of:
- an audited financial statement for the fiscal year just completed. This statement should not be "consolidated," but rather should cover the accounts of the diocese's central administrative offices.
- an audited financial statement for any diocesan foundations (if applicable).
- the CHM Financial Summary form. If the current statement is not available by April 1, please do not analyze financial information from the previous year. Instead, submit the Catholic Home Missions Financial Summary form with the financial statement when it becomes available.
Religious Institute Applicants must furnish two copies of their most recent financial statement that covers the accounts of the province. If there is not a province, the statement should cover the congregation as a whole, including retirement funds.
Note: Religious institutes should also include current information indicating the total number of members, the number of active and retired, and the average age of membership.
Organization Applicants
Must furnish two copies of their most recent financial statement.
Submit an original and one copy of all application materials. Clearly mark which copy is the original and which is the copy. Please do not place applications in elaborate bindings. In order to assist you in submitting all required materials, we have provided a checklist. Please submit two copies of the checklist with your application packet.
Application/Grant Cycle
Application materials are available in mid-January each year; all applications must be postmarked by April 1. This deadline must be strictly observed. Late applications cannot be accepted unless prior written notice has been given that compliance with the deadline is impossible. The Subcommittee makes grant decisions once a year in September, applicants are notified of a decision by October, and grants are disbursed in January.
General Tips
Be concise but thorough; stick to the facts. Only answer the questions asked. Try to make the descriptions something you would enjoy reading. Include real life details which bring the project to life, as well as concrete examples of how the project has impacted the community. If citing statistics, provide original sources. Do not include attachments (ie: brochures, newsletters, newspaper clippings, etc.) unless directly relevant to the program for which funding is requested.
How to receive a grant application:
Contact Ken Ong
Mail applications to:
The Most Reverend Michael W. Warfel, Chairman
Subcommittee on the Home Mission
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
For Further Assistance
Questions about eligibility or about any of the information requested for the application may be addressed to:
Ken Ong, Subcommittee on the Home Missions
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
Phone: (202) 541-3010 or (202) 541-3450
E-mail: homemissions@usccb.org
The staff will make a special effort to help those who have little experience in applying for grants. 
