The Giving Circle is an innovative program inspired by a new generation of donors.

Each member of the Circle invests their own philanthropic dollars into the program to collectively magnify the impact of their giving in our community. It is the ONLY Catholic granting giving circle in Arizona!

THE GIVING CIRCLE GRANTS OFFER AWARDS IN THE FOLLOWING THREE GRANTING AREAS:

1. COMMUNITY FOREVER FUND:

The Community Forever Fund grant category supports organizations wanting to make capital improvements to their infrastructure or programs that enrich educational opportunities, leadership, promotion of Christian virtue, and academic enhancement. Supports organizations wanting to make capital improvements to their infrastructure or programs that enriched educational opportunities, leadership, promotion of Christian virtue, and academic enhancement. Organizations looking to make improvements to their music ministry also have granting opportunities available through the Community Forever Fund.

MUSIC GRANT OPPORTUNITY: Granting opportunities are also available through the Community Forever Fund for organizations looking to make improvements to their music ministry. The Music subcategory is specific to music related improvements or programs only.

2. LIFE FOREVER FUND:

Funding opportunities for ministries and nonprofit organizations dedicated to the protection of human life - from conception to natural death. Funding through the Life Forever Fund is also available to those organizations that help with mental health and those that help overcome addiction so individuals can live the quality of life that God wants them to have.

3. CARE FOREVER FUND:

The Care Forever Fund supports those organizations that focus on the Corporal Works of Mercy. These include solutions to the issues of poverty, feeding, clothing, housing, lack of basic medical care, or provides for outreach and direct care for the poor. The Care Forever Fund also has opportunities to award to organizations serving vulnerable populations and addressing any of the following needs: food insecurity and/or access to healthy foods, preventative health and wellness, health education, access to health resources, and recreation and physical activity.

FUNDING PRIORITIES:

The Giving Circle seeks to fund project proposals that:

• Has a well-planned approach, addressing a clearly identified need with clearly stated goals, objectives, and means of measuring outcomes
• Helps fulfill the primary mission of the applicant organization
• Is likely to continue and expand after the grant period, becoming self-sustaining
• Provides innovative and creative solutions and demonstrates efficiency in its use of funds
• Supports the mission of the Church and its ministries

ELIGIBILITY:

Organizations applying for a grant through the Catholic Community Foundation's Giving Circle must meet all the following eligibility criteria:

• Organization must be a 501(c)(3) public charity registered with the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Organization serves primarily within the geographic region of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix which includes Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties (excluding the territorial boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation), and the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County.
• Organization's values align with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Organizations of previous year's grant must take a one-year hiatus before reapplying to the Giving Circle for a new program/project grant request.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

The grant process consists of two phases:

• Phase 1 is the Pre-Application where organizations submit a 500 word proposal to the Foundation summarizing their grant, including a statement of need, methodology, and other funding sources. 
• Only those organizations which submit the pre-application that most closely align with the Giving Circle funding priorities for the year will be invited to complete a full grant application and participate in Pitch Day, Phase 2.
• The project will be fully funded within one year of the grant award.
• Grant monies must be used for the purpose for which funds were applied and approved.
• Organizations are limited to one grant proposal for consideration during a single grant cycle.
• Grantmaking cannot focus on any of the following areas:
  • Debt reduction
  • Fundraising initiatives
  • Galas or events
  • Scholarships or tuition assistance
• Organizations must complete and return a Grant Agreement before funds are released from the Foundation.

For complete details on the application, eligibility, and more, download the Download the 2024 Giving Circle Toolkit to learn more about the application process, requirements, deadlines, and more!