CCHD Overview
When the Catholic bishops of the United States established the Campaign for Human Development in 1970, they mandated the Campaign fund “such projects as voter registration, community organizations, community-run schools, minority-owned cooperatives and credit unions, capital for industrial development and job training programs, and setting up of rural cooperatives.” Today, CCHD can point to hundreds of CCHD-funded organizations which have grown to extend great influence in their communities. Annual CCHD contributions to support community groups are made possible by Catholics throughout the United States who contribute to CCHD each year. As Catholics, we do this because we strongly believe all people are made in the image and likeness of God, and so all life, from conception until natural death, must be respected. To qualify for CCHD funds, applicants must not promote, in any way, activities that violate the dignity of the human person. CCHD is committed to supporting groups of low-income individuals as they work to break the cycle of poverty and improve their communities. Click here for a general
CCHD offers grants in two focused areas – Community Development and Economic Development. NCRLC staff can help you screen your project and respond to questions (See Getting Started):
Community Development Grants
CCHD Community development grant amounts range between $25,000 and $75,000. Community Development grants support efforts that demonstrate a commitment to the dignity of the human person. CCHD-funded groups are led by people living in poverty and work to address the root causes of poverty by nurturing solidarity between the poor and non-poor and facilitating the participation of people living in poverty in decisions that perpetuate poverty in their lives. As part of such efforts, low-income people gain the ability to identify barriers, brainstorm solutions, and take action to change problematic structures and systems in their communities.
Please note, CCHD requires that community development initiatives take a three-year break in funding after receiving six years of support. Contact your Grants Specialist to determine your organization’s eligibility to apply for the 2013-2014 grant cycle. Please review the Community Development Guidelines carefully and see a general overview of the timeline.
Economic Development Grants
CCHD Economic Development grant amounts range between $25,000 and $75,000. CCHD supports economic development initiatives that significantly include the voice of the poor and marginalized in developing new businesses that offer good jobs and/or develop assets that will be owned and enjoyed by local communities.
Please note, CCHD’s Economic Development Program (EDP) maintains a three-year eligibility limit. CCHD will grant a maximum of three years of support to an Economic Development Institution (EDI). These years need not be sequential. Contact your Grants Specialist to determine your organization’s eligibility to apply for the 2013-2014 grant cycle.
For detailed criteria and guidelines related to CCHD’s Economic Development Grant program, see the and an overview of the timeline.
