This year, the Catholic Community Foundation Giving Circle granted out a total of $133,644 to 7 deserving organizations that do amazing work in our community! The grant fund amount this year is a collection of member dues and the disbursement from the Forever Fund Endowments. The goal every year is to grow memberships AND donations to these Forever Fund endowments so that the program can continue to grant out as much as possible to our community.
In November of 2022, the Catholic Community Foundation received grant applications from 35 organizations requesting to pitch their need for this year’s grant cycle. These organizations and requests were vetted by the Catholic Community Foundation team, and Twenty-five organizations were then invited to pitch their grant need at Pitch Day on January 19, 2023 at Mt Claret Retreat Center.
The Giving Circle Members voted for their top 3 grant needs in each category – something that, as we can all attest to, is a difficult thing to do! The categories are CARE, COMMUNITY, and LIFE.
This year’s winners are: LIFE Forever Category – supports ministries that protect the Sanctity of Life – from birth to natural death, including mental health.
Mission of Mercy, $15,000 Mission of Mercy (MOM) clinics “restore dignity, ’Healing through Love,’ by providing free healthcare,’” through the provision of free medical care for acute and chronic conditions, including medications and diagnostics both onsite and in partnership with clinical specialists and area hospitals. These grant funds will provide medication to 300+ patients Mission of Mercy serve.
Life Choices Women’s Clinic, $18,000 Life Choices Women's Clinic strives to end abortion by providing women's healthcare, offering everything from pregnancy tests & ultrasounds to counseling. These grant funds will support their Pro-Life Education program.
COMMUNITY Forever Category – supports infrastructure needs, building renovations, community programs, technology needs.
Aid to Women Center, $15,000 Aid to Women Center is a Catholic Pro-Life non-profit pregnancy center that seeks to help women-in-need by providing the resources and assistance needed for a woman to choose life for her unborn child. These grant funds will allow for the renovation and ongoing maintenance of a safe temporary housing option for mothers who have chosen life for their unborn baby.
St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, $15,644 The mission of St. Michael Catholic Church is to practice a humble spirit, empower a community of fellowship, and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. These grant funds will support much needed building upgrades.
Christ the King Catholic School, $20,000 The Mission of Christ the King Catholic School is to engage students in academic excellence through the development of a virtuous and faith-filled foundation. These grant funds will support a new courtyard prayer space.
Floriani, $20,000 Floriani Sacred Music is a men’s vocal ensemble dedicated to serving the Church and saving the culture through the beauty of sacred music. These grant funds will help the expansion and reintegration of sacred music into parishes and schools.
CARE Forever Category – this category supports missions that help the most basic needs – feeding, clothing, housing.
Maggie’s Place, $30,000 Maggie’s Place welcomes pregnant and parenting women and their children into a safe and loving community, providing life-changing programs and ongoing services to help them to become self-sufficient. They provide for mothers and their children by offering a welcoming community and a safe place. These grant funds will support their Infant Safety Program, which includes car seats and safety classes.
Congratulations to our 2023 Giving Circle Grant Winners!
For those organizations who did not get chosen to receive a grant this year, consider starting a virtual shop through the Catholic Community Foundation Shop For A Cause Program www.shop-for-a-cause.com. This online shopping platform allows your organization to list tangible needs your organization has. Donors can visit your shop’s website and select items to purchase. Items will get shipped directly to your organization for a simple and safe way to fulfill your organization's needs.
The 2024 Giving Circle Grant Applications will open July 1, 2023. Stay tuned for the official date. To become a member of the Giving Circle to financially contribute to this grant and vote in the 2024 awarding, visit ccfphx.org/givingcircle