Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $44.5 million
Total Assets: $667 million
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 3 weeks (Professional Development Grants); varies by programme
Grant Range: $250 - $15,000 (varies by programme)
Geographic Focus: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Greater Minnesota

Contact Details

Address: 2610 University Ave W Court West STE 500, St. Paul, MN 55114

Phone: 651-389-0300

Email: info@ccf-mn.org

Website: www.ccf-mn.org

Grants Programme Associate: Bella Eckert – 651-389-0648, eckertb@ccf-mn.org

VP of Impact: Meg Payne Nelson – 651-389-0882

Overview

Founded in 1997, the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF) has become one of the largest Catholic community foundations in the United States, managing $667 million in charitable assets. The foundation operates with a clear mission: partnering with individuals and organisations to establish charitable funds, stewarding those funds to grow in perpetuity, and impacting the community through purposeful grantmaking.

CCF distributes grants through two main channels: donor-directed grants from donor advised funds and institutional endowments, and CCF-directed discretionary grants. Under the leadership of President Anne Cullen Miller since 2013, CCF has grown significantly in both assets and impact. Miller, who announced her retirement effective January 2026, has emphasised that "donors give through us, not to us, and Catholic values are infused in all we do." The foundation earned a Four-Star rating (94%) from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong financial health and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Professional Development Grants (Rolling deadlines)

Lay Ecclesial Ministers: Up to $1,000 for graduate education, ministry certificates, or continuing professional education
Catholic School Teachers: Up to $750 for religious formation, instruction in Catholic thought and teaching, and spiritual growth programmes
Three annual application cycles with three-week turnaround
Grants paid to parishes/schools, which reimburse recipients

Preschool, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry Grants ($250 - $3,000)

Annual application cycle (Opens June 1, Deadline June 27, Awards announced mid-August)
Supports programmes, retreats, events, or youth service projects
Priority given to parishes with limited budgets, rural areas, and programmes targeting underprivileged communities and people of colour
Must benefit people in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Proposals should be for new or supplemental activities not already covered by parish youth ministry budgets

Community Priorities Grants ($1,000 - $5,000)

One-time grants on a rotating annual focus (elderly, youth, young mothers and fathers)
Serves the most vulnerable elderly age 75 and over, at-risk kids age 5-14, and young mothers with families at risk
Priority given to organisations utilising volunteers for service delivery and with annual budgets under $1 million
Application window varies; contact Bella Eckert for current cycle information

Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund (MCRF) ($5,000 - $15,000)

Emergency relief fund for qualifying parishes and schools within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Awards for unexpected urgent needs

Salt & Light Fund

CCF's flagship unrestricted fund addressing urgent and emerging community needs
Donor contributions support unmet needs in the Catholic community collaboratively

Priority Areas

Spiritual formation and faith development
Catholic education at all levels (elementary, secondary, higher education)
Programmes serving vulnerable populations: elderly (75+), at-risk youth (5-18), young mothers with families at risk
Youth and young adult ministry and engagement
Emergency relief for parishes and schools
Culturally responsive services and programmes for underprivileged communities and people of colour
Programmes utilising volunteers for service delivery
Small to medium-sized organisations (annual budgets under $1 million) through Community Priorities grants

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly listed on their website, CCF's screening process excludes organisations that:

Do not align with Catholic social teachings
Lack proper 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (for most grant programmes)
Operate outside the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (for most discretionary grants)
Have poor financial practices, accountability, or transparency

All nonprofits are screened for financial standing and alignment with Catholic values before grant distribution.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership

Anne Cullen Miller, MBA – President (retiring January 2026)

Joined CCF in 2008 as investment officer and vice president of finance and investments
Became president in 2013
Quote: "I have been profoundly shaped, stretched, and lifted by the people I have met and served alongside — our extraordinary staff and board, Archbishop Hebda, generous donors, passionate ministry and community leaders, and countless individuals who believe in the power of shared purpose."

Christopher D. Nelson – Executive Vice President of Development and Donor Engagement

Casey Scott – Vice President of Finance and Administration (oversees finance, human resources, IT, facilities, and risk management)

Meg Payne Nelson – Vice President of Impact (651-389-0882)

Jules Vierling – Grants Manager (651-389-0880)

Bella Eckert – Grants Programme Associate (651-389-0648, eckertb@ccf-mn.org)

Board of Directors

The Board includes 25 members "inspired by their Catholic faith" who "bring an incredible breadth and depth of expertise and experience to help drive strategy," according to President Miller. Members include:

Jason Morrison, MBA – President, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
Margaret Murphy, MBA – Retired Chief Credit Officer, Specialty Lending, Old National Bank
Roshan Rajkumar, J.D. – Managing Partner, Bowman and Brooke LLP
Marya Robben, J.D. – Partner, Lathrop GPM LLP
Rachael Scherer, CFA®, MBA – Retired Vice President, Medtronic
Nancy Utoft, MBA – Retired Executive Director, Abria Pregnancy Resources
Kate Wenger, J.D. – Community Volunteer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CCF operates multiple grant programmes with different application processes:

Professional Development Grants:

Three annual application cycles with rolling deadlines:
- Summer programmes: March 15 – May 1
- Fall programmes: July 1 – August 15
- Spring programmes: November 1 – December 15
Applicants notified within three weeks of each deadline
Application available at ccf-mn.org/grants/professional-development
Contact: Bella Eckert (651-389-0648, eckertb@ccf-mn.org)

Preschool, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry Grants:

Annual application cycle
Opens: June 1
Deadline: June 27
Awards announced: Mid-August
Application available at ccf-mn.org/grants/preschool-youth-youngadult
Contact: Bella Eckert (eckertb@ccf-mn.org)

Community Priorities Grants:

Application windows vary by year and focus area
Check ccf-mn.org/grants/application-community-priorities for current status
Contact: Bella Eckert (651-389-0648, eckertb@ccf-mn.org)

Other CCF-Directed Grants:

Some grants made on invitation-only basis
Others through open, competitive application process
Contact Jules Vierling, Grants Manager (651-389-0880) or Meg Payne Nelson, VP of Impact (651-389-0882) for information

Donor Advised Funds:

CCF manages donor-directed grants through donor advised funds and institutional endowments
Recipients identified by founding donors or current fund advisors
All recommended charities screened for financial standing and alignment with Catholic social teaching
Can grant to any qualified 501(c)(3) that aligns with Catholic social teachings

Decision Timeline

Professional Development Grants: 3 weeks from application deadline
Youth Ministry Grants: Approximately 6 weeks (deadline late June, awards mid-August)
Community Priorities Grants: Timeline varies; contact foundation for current cycle

Success Rates

CCF does not publicly disclose:

Total number of applications received
Overall success rate/percentage
Application-to-award ratio

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions or waiting periods mentioned for unsuccessful applicants. Organisations are welcome to reapply in subsequent grant cycles. For Professional Development Grants with three annual cycles, applicants could potentially apply multiple times per year for different programmes.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical: All nonprofits are screened for alignment with Catholic social teachings. CCF's investment philosophy screens out organisations involved in abortifacients, weapons production, predatory lending, or gambling. Ensure your organisation's mission, programmes, and partners align with Catholic values and social teaching principles.

Financial Health Matters: CCF screens all nonprofits for tax status, financial management practices, accountability, and transparency. Be prepared to demonstrate sound financial management, even if you're a small organisation.

Leverage Priority Areas: For Community Priorities Grants, organisations with annual budgets under $1 million and those utilising volunteers for service delivery receive priority. If this describes your organisation, emphasise these characteristics.

For Youth Ministry Grants, Emphasise:

Parishes with limited budgets, especially in rural areas
Programmes targeting underprivileged communities and people of colour
New or supplemental activities not already covered by existing parish budgets
Balance of social, spiritual, and service elements
Creative outreach and opportunities for encounter

Understand the Grant Type: CCF emphasises that many grants are donor-directed, meaning recipients are identified by individual donors or fund advisors. For discretionary grants, the foundation identifies recipients based on strategic priorities. Some grants operate by invitation only, while others are open competitive processes.

Professional Development Grants Specifics:

Teachers: Must be employed in the Archdiocese at time of programme
Lay Ministers: Preference given to paid employees actively working at parishes
Propose programmes that genuinely support religious formation and spiritual growth
Remember that grants go to parishes/schools, not individuals

Build Relationships: With multiple grant cycles per year and various programme offerings, maintaining contact with grants staff (particularly Bella Eckert, Jules Vierling, or Meg Payne Nelson) can help you understand which programmes best fit your needs and when to apply.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Dual Grantmaking Model: Understand that CCF operates both donor advised funds (where donors direct grants) and discretionary grants (where CCF identifies recipients based on strategic priorities)
Catholic Values Screening is Non-Negotiable: All grant recipients must align with Catholic social teachings; this is rigorously screened using USCCB guidelines
Geographic Focus: Most discretionary grants serve the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, though some programmes extend to greater Minnesota
Size Matters (But Smaller Can Be Better): Community Priorities grants prioritise organisations with budgets under $1 million that utilise volunteers—small size can be an advantage
Multiple Application Opportunities: Professional Development Grants offer three cycles annually; track all programme deadlines to maximise opportunities
Quick Turnaround: Professional Development Grants provide decisions within three weeks—faster than most foundations
Contact Programme Staff Early: Bella Eckert, Jules Vierling, and Meg Payne Nelson are key contacts who can guide you to appropriate programmes and answer specific eligibility questions

References

Accessed: December 23, 2025

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Start your 4-week free trial Learn More