Empowerment Fund
Established in 1988, the Empowerment Fund makes grants to empower our brothers and sisters to improve their lives, not by charity alone for today’s need, but by helping to break the cycle of poverty so that a person can become self-reliant.
Requests come through parishioners, or directly from agencies and groups, and are considered by the Social Ministries Commission. The person making the request is asked to provide information on the group or agency, including any printed brochures or personal information they have from working with the group.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Social Ministries Commission
Guidelines for Empowerment Fund Applications
Please keep in mind the following points as you complete your application:
1. Be concise and type or print clearly.
2. Be thorough and complete all questions.
3. Please let us know if your project has a deadline. The Social Ministries Commission usually meets monthly and evaluates requests. After selection at IHM, the request is processed through the Archdiocese Mission Office, and timing varies.
4. To return the application, drop it in the Social Ministries mailbox in the parish office, or mail to Immaculate Heart of Mary Social Ministries Commission, 7820 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255.
Empowerment Fund Guidelines, which the Social Ministries Commission uses to consider
requests:
· To address both sides of the poverty issue, the request must empower the recipient(s) to break the cycle of poverty and oppression in order to regain control of their life, OR, educate and raise awareness on the devastation of poverty, and our opportunity and obligation to be agents of change.
· Must lie outside the current Special Collections of IHM.
· Will generally be made to small groups without broad-based financial support, except in cases of disaster relief through agencies such as Catholic Relief.
· Will include local, national, and global needs.
· Meets the goal of at least 15% of the funding budget being allocated towards new areas, so we remain open to new opportunities of involvement
· Can include a mission grant for groups or individuals with exhibited need who are involved in outreach work projects.
· Excludes major capital improvements, but minor improvements to empower organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
· Scholarships will be awarded to a school’s general scholarship fund, not to individual students.
· Upholds the commitment to seek grant requests from members of the Parish.
· Recipients must use the funds in accordance with Catholic principles.
Update 11/08
Immaculate Heart of Mary Empowerment Fund Grant Application
(Please type or print clearly)
To Be Completed By Requestor:
1. Name of Applicant: 2. Date
3. Address: 4. Phone:
5. Name/Address of Proposed Organization:
6. Description and Purpose of Request for Proposed Grant Funding :
7. Amount Requested:
8. Nature of your involvement (if any) in the Organization (include length of time in volunteer service) and with the specific project for which funding is requested.
9. Please attach the Mission Statement or brochures from Organization you are submitting.
FOR COMMITTEE USE ONLY
1. Date application received: 2. Person receiving application: Carol Kelly
3. Date reviewed by committee 4. Results of application request
Granted______ Not Granted ____
5. Signature of Committee Secretary 6. Date of Notification to applicant or payment certification date