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Foundation Of The Catholic Diocese Of Columbus

Annual Giving
$25.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $25.6 million (2024)
  • Total Granted Since Inception: Over $230 million (since 1984)
  • Grant Range: Up to $10,000 - $25,000+
  • Geographic Focus: 23 counties in central Ohio (Diocese of Columbus)
  • Annual Awards: 207 awards (2024), 191 awards (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 257 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 614.443.8893

Toll Free: 1.866.298.8893

Website: catholic-foundation.org

Grants Portal: grants.catholic-foundation.org

Director of Grants and Community Impact: Dan Kurth

Overview

The Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus was established in 1984, inspired by John Sauter, Richard Stedman, and Robert Morosky, who approached Bishop James A. Griffin with the concept of establishing an independent corporation to manage perpetual endowments. As an independent, authentically Catholic charitable organization, the Foundation maximizes personal giving to transform lives through four key pillars: parishes, education, vocations, and ministries. Since its inception, the Foundation has granted over $230 million throughout the 23-county Diocese of Columbus and beyond. In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded $25.6 million in grants through 207 awards. The Foundation operates independently from the Catholic Diocese of Columbus but works to support the needs and greater welfare of the Catholic community. All authority of the Foundation is vested in and exercised by their Board of Trustees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Catholic Foundation awards grants annually through responsive grants, scholarships, endowment distributions, and special granting opportunities:

  1. Mission Grants (Responsive Grants): Up to $10,000 - Awarded at the end of October, designed to help ministries with capital or program-related needs. Requires one application and one report.

  2. Purpose Grants: $10,000 - $25,000 - Awarded in mid-December, providing funding for situations in which a partnership is needed in a larger investment for program or capital needs. Requires a two-phase application process and one report.

  3. Vision Grants: $25,000 or more - A limited number of ministries receive Vision Grants for capital and program grants for applicants that exemplify great thought to sustainability of the project. Recipients announced by the end of February. Requires a two-phase application, site visit, and one or multiple reports.

  4. Special Granting Opportunities: The Foundation periodically offers special grants, including grants for youth ministry programs and parish conferences. Only Pastors and/or parishes in the Diocese of Columbus are eligible.

  5. Scholarships: Over $200,000 awarded annually to approximately 41 students, with more than $1.5 million granted to over 250 students since inception.

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports organizations within the 23-county Diocese of Columbus through four giving pillars:

  • Parishes: Partnership with the faithful to multiply inspired generosity through strategic investment of parish endowment funds and assistance in meeting local community needs
  • Education: Catholic education from pre-school through Catholic colleges and universities, including Parish School of Religion (PSR) programming
  • Vocations: Programs that help men and women discern a religious life
  • Ministries: Front-line ministries acting as the hands and feet of Christ

Recent examples of funded programs include:

  • Parish support (St. Agatha Parish, St. Anthony Parish, Holy Family Parish)
  • Educational assistance (tuition assistance to St. Sylvester Central Elementary School in Woodsfield, Ohio)
  • Social services (Catholic Social Services and J.O.I.N. - Joint Organization of Inner-City Needs)
  • Programs benefiting the aged, sick, poor, and hungry
  • Creation care initiatives with green energy sustainability components

Geographic Coverage

The Diocese of Columbus contains 108 parishes in 23 counties: Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Union, and Vinton.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation focuses exclusively on Catholic organizations within the 23-county Diocese of Columbus. Organizations outside this geographic area or not affiliated with the Catholic Church are not eligible.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Loren Brown (MBA, University of Notre Dame)

Loren Brown has served as President & CEO and played a vital role in establishing the Consortium of Catholic Foundations. In June, he was recognized by the Consortium for his service and leadership. He was part of the original group of CEOs who met in 2012 in San Jose, California to share strategies and help each other with tools to effectively lead a Catholic foundation. Regarding his work with the Consortium, Brown stated: "It has been a privilege to work along-side so many dedicated leaders in our Catholic faith. Establishing the Consortium will continue to be a gift for many years to Catholic foundation leaders."

Vice President of Grants and Community Impact: Dan Kurth

Dan Kurth oversees the money that helps source the four pillars of giving at The Catholic Foundation, including responsive grants, scholarships, endowments, and donor advised funds, and works closely with the Foundation's Development team and leaders in the Catholic community to identify needs within the Diocese.

Board of Trustees: All authority of the Foundation is vested in and exercised by their Board of Trustees, maintaining independence from the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.

Member of: Consortium of Catholic Foundations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Catholic Foundation accepts online applications through their grants portal at grants.catholic-foundation.org.

Eligibility: Catholic parishes, schools, invited Religious Orders, and invited non-profit organizations in the 23-county Diocese of Columbus, Ohio are eligible to apply.

Application Requirements Vary by Grant Type:

  • Mission Grants: One application and one report required
  • Purpose Grants: Two-phase application process and one report required
  • Vision Grants: Two-phase application, site visit, and one or multiple reports required

Resources Available:

  • Online Application FAQs
  • Capital Request Budget Forms
  • Program Request Budget Forms
  • Youth Ministry Grant Guidelines

Contact for Applications: Dan Kurth, Director of Grants and Community Impact

Decision Timeline

  • Mission Grants (Responsive Grants): Awarded at the end of October
  • Purpose Grants: Awarded in mid-December
  • Vision Grants: Recipients announced by the end of February

Success Rates

With 843 organizations benefiting from 4,056 grants totaling $35,629,373 in one reporting period, and annual awards averaging around 200 grants per year (207 in 2024, 191 in 2023, 179 in 2022), the Foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants should contact Dan Kurth at dkurth@catholic-foundation.org or 614.443.8893 for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

While specific application tips from The Catholic Foundation are limited in public sources, Catholic foundations typically prioritize:

Well-Planned Approach: Applications should demonstrate a well-planned approach to addressing an identified need with clearly stated goals, objectives, and means of measuring outcomes that help fulfill the primary mission of the organization.

Sustainability: Requests that are likely to continue and expand after the grant period and become self-sustaining are prioritized, particularly for Vision Grants which specifically seek "applicants that exemplify great thought to sustainability of the project."

Innovation and Efficiency: Applications should provide innovative and creative solutions and demonstrate efficiency in use of funds while supporting the mission of the Church and its ministries.

Alignment with Giving Pillars: Ensure your application clearly demonstrates how it aligns with one or more of the Foundation's four giving pillars: parishes, education, vocations, and ministries.

Creation Care Initiatives: The Foundation has expressed interest in creation care initiatives. As stated by their staff, the rubric is: "Does this project have any green energy sustainability pieces to it?"

Required Documentation: Applications should include a complete financial statement, a detailed project budget, proof of Catholic affiliation, and supporting documents that demonstrate the need and impact of the project.

Early Submission: If your organization has not received a grant from this funder in the past, submit your request as early as possible.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Restriction is Strict: Only Catholic parishes, schools, invited Religious Orders, and invited non-profit organizations within the 23-county Diocese of Columbus are eligible - ensure your organization is in the coverage area.

  • Choose the Right Grant Type: Mission Grants (up to $10,000) have simpler requirements; Purpose Grants ($10,000-$25,000) require two-phase applications; Vision Grants ($25,000+) require extensive applications, site visits, and multiple reports.

  • Emphasize Sustainability: Vision Grants particularly seek projects with "great thought to sustainability" - demonstrate long-term viability and self-sustaining potential.

  • Contact Dan Kurth Early: The Director of Grants, Dan Kurth (dkurth@catholic-foundation.org, 614.443.8893), is available for questions and can provide guidance on which grant type best fits your needs.

  • Align with Four Pillars: Clearly demonstrate how your project supports one or more of the Foundation's four giving pillars: parishes, education, vocations, and ministries.

  • Plan for Timeline: Applications are reviewed on an annual cycle with different grant types awarded at different times (October for Mission, December for Purpose, February for Vision).

  • Consider Green Components: The Foundation is interested in creation care initiatives with sustainability and green energy components - highlight these if applicable to your project.

References

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