Catholic Agency For Overseas Development

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £41.8 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified publicly
• Grant Range: Not specified publicly
• Geographic Focus: International development partnerships (42 countries)

Contact Details

Website: www.cafod.org.uk

Email: cafod@cafod.org.uk

Phone: 020 7733 7900

Partnership Enquiries: Available through overseas partners section of website

Overview

Founded in 1962, CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. With annual revenue of £67.9 million (2022-23), CAFOD operates as part of the global Caritas Internationalis confederation. In 2023, they supported 594 local partner organizations with grants totaling £41.8 million, reaching one million vulnerable people directly across 42 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. CAFOD works according to the localization principle, channeling funding through established local partners rather than direct implementation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Partner Organization Grants: Funding provided to local NGOs and faith-based organizations in developing countries
• Capacity Building Support: Flexible grants for organizational development and skills building
• Emergency Response Funding: Rapid response grants through the Start Fund and other emergency mechanisms
• Application Method: Partnership applications through downloadable proposal format on website

Priority Areas

• Relief of poverty and humanitarian response
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Conflict resolution and peace building
• Education and skills development
• Healthcare and disability support
• Women's empowerment and gender equality
• Food security and sustainable agriculture
• Refugee and migration support

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but CAFOD focuses exclusively on international development partnerships with established organizations in the Global South rather than UK-based projects or individual applications.

Ready to write a winning application for Catholic Agency For Overseas Development?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Bishop Stephen Wright, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle (appointed 2023)

Director/CEO: Christine Allen

Key Leadership Quotes:

Christine Allen emphasized: “In a world full of crisis, the Pope represents strong moral leadership and, most of all, hope - that a better world is possible.” She has highlighted the organization's focus on “a challenging combination of spiralling global debt, accelerating climate change, and escalating humanitarian need.”

Board Composition: Includes Catholic bishops, Caritas staff, and development professionals with diverse international experience.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Partnership applications through formal proposal format available on CAFOD website
• Applications focused on established organizations in target countries
• Requires demonstration of shared Catholic social teaching values and development objectives
• Technical support and guidance provided through in-country staff

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines not publicly available - varies by partnership type and geographic region.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. CAFOD works with over 500 partner organizations globally, indicating selective but ongoing partnerships.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified publicly - partnership approach suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants.

Application Success Factors

Partnership Approach: CAFOD emphasizes that “real change happens through partnership” and seeks organizations that share their Catholic social teaching values and commitment to community-led development.

Localization Principle: Strong preference for local and national organizations that can demonstrate community roots and cultural understanding.

Capacity Building Focus: CAFOD provides more than funding, offering technical support, training, and organizational development assistance to partners.

Long-term Relationships: Preference for sustainable partnerships rather than short-term project funding, with ongoing support for organizational development.

Alignment with Mission: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to addressing root causes of poverty and injustice, not just symptoms.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• CAFOD operates as a partnership-based organization rather than an open grant-maker
• Focus exclusively on international development partnerships in Global South countries
• Strong emphasis on Catholic social teaching values and community-led development approaches
• Provides comprehensive support beyond funding including capacity building and technical assistance
• Prefers established organizations with demonstrated track records in target communities
• Applications require demonstration of sustainable impact and community ownership
• Partnership model emphasizes long-term relationships over one-time project grants

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Wolfson Foundation
• BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
• The National Churches Trust
• Kent County Council
• SEEDS OF HOPE

References

• CAFOD Official Website: cafod.org.uk
• CAFOD Annual Financial Information and Partnership Data (2023)
• CAFOD Board of Trustees information: cafod.org.uk/about-us/how-we-work/board-of-trustees
• CAFOD Overseas Partners guidance: cafod.org.uk/work-with-us/overseas-partners
• Leadership quotes from CAFOD news releases and public statements
• Financial data from CAFOD's 2022-23 Report of Trustees and Financial Statements