Deadlines: 15 November 2016
Established in 1981 as an outgrowth of the 125th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, this fund continues to award grants to organizations that address the basic causes of injustice and promote self-help and empowerment.
The fund is used for programs/projects that promote social justice at local, national, or international levels. Enables the Sisters of St. Francis to share their resources and live out their commitment to those who are poor, oppressed, and marginalized in our society.
Criteria for Grants/Thematic Areas
To qualify for consideration for funding, the grant application must give evidence that the proposed program/project has directly involved and is supported by those who would benefit from it. It must clearly be able to achieve one or more of the following:
- address the basic causes of injustice and foster systemic change;
- promote self-help and empowerment of communities;
- respond to the unmet needs of those who are poor and/or marginalized, especially women and children.
Grants Available: Maximum amount given for a single program/project is $5,000.
Other Guidelines to apply for the Grants
- Only one grant application per year per organization will be reviewed.
- Grant applications must be accompanied by proof of tax-exempt status.
- Overseas applicants: Before the process can begin, a specific type of fiscal agent must be approved (explanation of type will be given when initial request is made).
- Overseas applicants must include a letter from the ordinary of the diocese or major superior.
- Grant applications will be given priority when accompanied by a letter of recommendation by a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia who has an understanding of the program/project. If this is not possible, attach a letter of recommendation from a religious or clergy person familiar with the program/project, including his/her full name, address, and telephone number.
- Grants must document attempts and results of seeking other funding sources.
- The grant application must indicate how ongoing operational funding will be obtained.
- The grant application must provide the objective and scope of the program/project, i.e., the number of people impacted/areas to be served) as follows:
- Mission of the program/project
- Target constituency
- Specific objective of the program/project
- Budget to meet specifically the objective of the grant
- General operating budget (income and expenses) of the current fiscal year
- The application must indicate how the program/project does not duplicate an existing service in your community.
- Due to limited funding capacity, normally an organization will be funded for one time.
- When a request to apply for a Social Justice Fund grant is approved, a cycle is assigned to the organization. The cycle will designate whether it is for spring or fall and the cycle year. Memoranda and forms will indicate the due date of materials.
- Grant applications must be in the Social Justice Office no later than November 15 for the spring cycle; May 15 for the fall cycle. Once grants are reviewed by the Social Justice Grant Review Committee and approved by the Corporation, all applicants will be notified by mail of the decision.
- One year after receiving a grant, an organization is required to submit a form that the social justice fund will supply. This written project evaluation must be emailed or postmarked no later than the last Friday of March for the spring cycle or the last Friday of September for the fall cycle.
How to Apply
- All those who wish to apply for a grant must complete a one-page screening form.
- The first step is to request a screening form by sending an e-mail with your complete mailing address.
For more information, please visit Social Justice Fund 2016.