We, the Catholic community of the Diocese of Scranton, are called through Baptism to imitate the servant leadership of Jesus Christ. In union with our Holy Father, the Pope, we proclaim the Gospel faithfully, celebrate the sacraments joyfully, and boldly promote life, justice and peace in northeastern and northcentral Pennsylvania.

The Parish Social Justice Grants are designed to help parishes respond to the US Catholic Bishops’ reflection on Parish Social Mission, Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish. This will empower the parish’s efforts to educate and raise awareness of social concerns and strengthen their resolve to create cultures of encounter and work for justice.

To be eligible for funding, a project must satisfy the following criteria and guidelines.

Criteria

Projects must conform to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

Projects should fall within the parameters of Communities of Salt and Light, Reflections of the Social Mission of the Parish.

The person selected as the grant contact person is strongly encouraged to attend a webinar detailing the Communities of Salt and Light document.

Projects must be fully non-partisan when engaging in political activities. Projects whose primary focus is partisan political activity are not eligible.

Project funds are to be managed and dispersed directly by the parish and not allocated to other organizations.

Funding requests should be in the $250 - $5,000 range.

Projects should be a new or modified effort of the parish.

Projects which encourage a collaboration among other parishes will be given priority.

Youth and Young Adult participation in projects is encouraged.

Parishes may apply for up to 3 projects in a calendar year. Each project requires its own application and evaluation. (Cannot exceed maximum of $5,000)

Funding may be applied towards stipends, materials and supplies, and program fees.

Funding cannot offered for construction costs, appliances, or salaried employment.

Parishes currently in a linkage may apply for grant funding for individual projects. If the project is expected to be the same at both parishes, special attention should be provided regarding budgeting.

Timeline

Applications will be made available on the diocesan website on April 26. Pastors will also receive an email containing the application and supplemental information.

The deadline for applications is May 24 at 5 p.m.

Parishes will be notified of their grant status by the middle of June.

It is preferred that projects be completed by the end of the grant cycle (end of April 2024), but may extend to the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2024).

A project report is required upon completion of the project.

Evaluations

Projects that span more than six months will be expected to complete a mid-year evaluation that will be due November 13.

Projects that are short-term in nature will be required to complete an end of project evaluation. It is recommended this be done as soon as the project is complete.

Evaluation forms can be found on www.dioceseofscranton.org

Parishes that do not complete their evaluations will not be eligible for new grants.

Suggested Projects (See “Project Suggestions” for project additional ideas and funding amounts)

Book or film discussions, Speaker series

Educational programs offered by JustFaith or Network

Group trainings - intercultural competency, bias awareness, anti-racism, civil dialogue

Individual leadership training designed to enhance social justice ministry skills

Building intercultural relationships within and across parishes

Expanding religious education materials or liturgical art to feature Hispanic and Black Catholics and greater cultural diversity

Issue based projects or campaigns (e.g. immigration reform, human trafficking, etc.)

2023 – 2024 Grant Committee Members

Mary Hallman, Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life

Eric Deabill, Diocesan Secretary for Communications

Shannon Kowalski, Director for Service and Mission

José Flores, Coordinator for Hispanic Ministry

Sandra Snyder, Director of Foundation Relations and Special Events

Fr. Cyril Edwards, Pastor – Mary, Mother of God Parish, Scranton

Jacob Mutchler, Seminarian for the Diocese of Scranton

The Social Justice Trust Fund Grant program is funded through generous gifts to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. The funding for this program is limited. Each application is evaluated in its totality in terms of scope, budget and in alignment with the Communities of Salt and Light document. Depending on the number of applications, parishes may receive all of the funding requested, partial funding or no funding. Applicants may be requested to modify or answer additional questions of the Grant committee.

Diocese of Scranton

Parish Social Justice Grant Program

2023-2024 APPLICATION FORM

DATE SUBMITTED:

PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH:

PASTOR:

PARISH ADDRESS:

PARISH PHONE: EMAIL:

CONTACT INFORMATION

CONTACT PERSON:

CONTACT PERSON’S PHONE:

CONTACT PERSON’S EMAIL:

GRANT REQUEST: $ (Not to exceed $5,000)

PROJECT: FUNDING REQUEST:

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES – Please indicate the type of project your parish is applying for

(Grants cannot be offered for construction costs, appliances, or salaried employment)

Parish Food Pantry	Grief Ministry	Care for the Elderly

Parish Nurse Ministry	Social Justice Education	Emergency Financial Assistance

Homelessness	Pro-Life Ministries	Prison Ministry

Care of the Earth	Legislative Advocacy	Disability Ministries

Other (describe)

Program Summary: Please provide a typed detailed summary of the social justice ministry projects for which your parish is applying for funding. Include the summary in this application.

Your summary should include the following:

What is the purpose of your program or activity?

Provide a statement of need. This statement should include an explanation of who will be targeted for this outreach program.

Who will be involved in the planning and implementation of the program or activity?

When and where will your program activity be held? Describe the project timeline.

How will this program or activity benefit your parish and the greater community?

A proposed budget containing anticipated expenses.

Click or tap here to enter text.

List the project goals. Each goal identified should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Search “SMART Goals” online for guidance.

Click or tap here to enter text.

Collaboration and sharing across the diocese is encouraged. Will other parishes be invited to participate in your project? YES NO

If yes, which parishes?

Please attach a budget for your project. If proposed budget exceeds the space below, you may include it as supplemental information.

Click or tap here to enter text.

PASTOR/PARISH LIFE COORDINATOR (PLC) VERIFICATION - All grant applications that are not completed by the pastor or PLC will be shared with them for verification.

Applicant’s Electronic Signature

I understand that award checks will be payable to parishes only and designated for the use of the project identified on this application. For the purpose of state law, these funds must be used as intended and any unused funds must be returned.

SIGNATURE: DATE:

(Please type your legal name above)

SUBMIT PREFERABLY BY EMAIL TO:

skowalski@dioceseofscranton.org

By Mail:

Office for Parish Life

Attn: Shannon Kowalski

330 Wyoming Ave

Scranton, Pa. 18503

If you have any questions please contact:

Shannon Kowalski, Director for Service and Mission, at (570)207-2213 ext. 1155