Community Organizing Projects

CCHD considers for funding Community Organizing projects in which groups of people participate in solving problems that affect their lives.  A common theme in community organizing is building an organization that can effectively influence decision-making processes so that people working together can bring about needed change in policies, institutions, and/or laws.

CCHD also looks for initial and continued development of leaders.  Activities such as leadership skill training in areas of organizational development, issue identification, social analysis, and community organizing are examples of local projects that may be considered for CCHD funding.

A.  Criteria

1. The project must benefit a poverty group.  At least fifty percent (50%) of those benefiting from the project must be from the low-income community. (Low income is defined as 80% of the area median income or less.
   
   
2. It is not within the intent or purpose of CCHD to fund projects that could, with reasonable efforts on the part of the applicant, access project funds from the private or public sector.  However, it is recognized that many prospective applicants for CCHD funds have not yet developed the capability and/or capacity to obtain funds
   from these sources.  In a circumstance in which private or public sector funding for an applicant’s project may be available, the applicant will be requested, as part of the CCHD application process, to assess its capability and/or capacity to access the private or public sector funds.
   Proposals applying for “seed money” or “matching money” from CCHD will also be considered.  However, in requesting “seed money” or “matching money” from CCHD, applicants should present documentation that other funding sources will commit their funds to the project if the applicant raises the “seed money” or “matching money”.
   
   
3. The project activity for which funding is requested must conform to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church, but the applicant for CCHD funds need not be or represent a
   Catholic organization. Respect for the life and dignity of every person is the foundation of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. A principle goal of CCHD is promoting respect for the lives and dignity of the poor and vulnerable, those without power or status.  This essential principle is why CCHD will NOT fund organizations that engage in activities that conflict with Catholic teaching on human life and dignity, such as the promotion of abortion, birth control, euthanasia, capital punishment, same-sex marriage, racism, war, or discrimination.
   
   
4. CCHD encourages activities that promote civic engagement. However, organizations that participate in partisan activities (including the endorsement of particular candidates) and/or take stances that promote in any way (including voter guides and other written material) legislation, propositions, or ballot initiatives that contradict the moral or social teaching of the Catholic Church are ineligible for CCHD funding.

B.  Guidelines

1. CCHD seeks to help change the social structures and policies that undermine or diminish human life and dignity, especially for the poor and powerless. Proposed projects must be innovative and demonstrate a change from traditional approaches to poverty by attacking the basic causes of poverty and by effecting institutional change.  CCHD defines institutional change as:
   1. Modification of existing laws and/or policies;
   2. Establishment of alternative structures and/or redistribution of decision-making powers.
      
      
2. Directly benefit a relatively large number of people rather than a few individuals.
   
   
3. Generate cooperation among and within diverse groups in the interest of a more integrated and mutually understanding society.
   
   
4. Demonstrate that as a result of CCHD funding there are possibilities of generating funds from other sources or of becoming self-supporting within the timelines established in the proposal.

C.  Projects Not Meeting CCHD Criteria and/or Guidelines

The following general classifications do not meet CCHD criteria and/or guidelines:

1. Projects structured without opportunities for participation and leadership by low-income people.
   
   
2. Projects controlled by government (federal, state, local) bodies.
   
   
3. Research projects, surveys, planning and feasibility studies, etc.
   
   
4. Individually owned, for-profit businesses.
   
   
5. Projects engaged in partisan political activities, or projects sponsored by organizations whose major focus is in partisan political activity.
   
   
6. Organizations that would use CCHD money to fund other organizations.