Education Grant Guidelines | Catholic Foundation of Northwest PA

Eligibility

Who can apply? The Diocese of Erie (Offices); Catholic Parishes and Catholic Schools in the diocese.

Grants are available for funding towards religious education projects and ministry training/spiritual formation opportunities that benefit people within the 13 counties of the Diocese of Erie. Projects must fit at least one of the following four categories:

Diocesan-wide scholarship and tuition-assistance programs
NOTE: Applicants limited to the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Erie.
Religious education and faith formation projects
Technology for parish faith formation programs and for Catholic schools
NOTE: Two (2) bids/proposals are required when applying for technology funding in excess of $5,000.
Lay ministry education, training and worship formation including education toward obtaining professional ministry certifications, attending workshops, conferences, ministry formation and spiritual formation opportunities.
NOTE: If multiple people from your organization are seeking funding to attend a ministry opportunity, please submit one application for the entire group.

Priority is given to:

Projects that reach a wide audience or are collaborative across parishes or schools
New or creative projects
Projects with multiple funding sources
Projects that are compatible with diocesan priorities

The maximum grant amount is $20,000. (excluding diocesan-wide scholarship and tuition assistance programs)

Requirements

Pastor, school principal/president, or diocesan office supervisor must be aware of the grant request and give their approval by signing the project endorsement form included in the application.
Funds are released to the parish, school or diocese only with an executed grant agreement on file at the Foundation.
A follow up grant report from the grantee is required for every grant awarded by the Foundation.

Funding Exclusions

Grant funds will not be given to:

Existing staff salaries
Emergency grants, Capital campaigns/projects
Anything completed, purchased, or accomplished prior to date grants are awarded
Funding a multi-year degree program
Individual tuition assistance
Individuals not affiliated with a parish, school, or department of the Diocese of Erie
Faith Formation/education projects not affiliated with a parish, school, or department of the Diocese of Erie

**This is not an exhaustive list. Catholic Foundation staff, grant committee, and Board of Directors will determine inclusions and exclusions.

Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, Operations Director, for more information: jcooney@cfnwpa.org

2024 Education Grant Guidelines (185.442 KB)