Grants for Traditional Catholic Schools?

[SisterSnowflake]

Does anybody know of any organizations or foundations that provide grants for traditional Catholic schools (our school has daily Mass and the school motto is “Traditional Catholic Excellence in Education”)?

I’ll begin teaching at a small K-12 private Catholic school this fall, and we are sorely in need of religion books at the high school level. I’d love to get the Didache series textbooks, which is the BEST high school religion series out there (good, solid, sound, Catholic!).

Our school is recognized by the diocese, but is not a diocesan or parish school. The tuition is low compared to other area schools, so funds are very tight.

Any advice?

Thanks and God bless!

 

[choy]

i use the Didache Series books for PREP(CCD) and i agree they are great

sorry can’t really help you about the grant. i just want to prop the book

 

[SisterSnowflake]

Thanks, Choy!

I totally agree with you! We should have a Didache Series fan club!

 

[corsair]

I am fairly familiar with grants and how you can become eligible to receive them.

First question; does you school have a registered 501 (c) 3 ? If not it is best to start the process. Depending on what state you live in, will determine your state process for registration. where I live it is a simple filing of a non-profit corporation. Cost is $30.00. Then you file your 501 (c) 3 papers with the IRS. Cost here is about $750.00. It will take 6 to 12 weeks to receive your Letter of Determination. IF you suceed, then and only then will you be eligible to begin the grant search.

Generally speaking Granting Foundations give ONLY to other 501 (c) 3 organizations that meet their Corporate criteria. For example if the XYZ Foundation gives only to health projects then don’t apply for grant to study sea life.

Many Foundations only give within a geographic area.

There are many tools available to locate these Foundations on the internet.

A bit of advise; once you identify a possible source for a grant, obtain their forms and are sure they are a good match for your project, then follow their rules and guidelines EXACTLY. DO NOT improvise on the forms. Example; “do not place paper clips on these forms”.
This is a great way to get “tossed”. Follow the rules. Why should they grant you money when you can’t even follow simple rules. So watch it very closely.

Good luck. Its not as terrifying as it may seem.

If you would like more in depth info you can PM me

 

[JReducation]

Sister, I believe that you may have to change the wording. If you apply to a benefactor for grant money for traditional Catholic education, you may not get any. But if you have very specific needs such as computers, library, playground, science labs and so forth, there are foundations and corporations that give a lot of money for these purposes.

I’m assuming that if you hava school, it is a 501(c)3 and that you have an EIN or are you under the diocesan EIN?

You may also want to make sure that you’re in the Kennedy Directory. Organizations giving grants to Catholic agencies will look at the Kennedy Director for compliance.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[dconklin]

I would think the Knights of Columbus would be a good place to look. Good luck!

 

[liebee]

I think you should apply to the USCB. They seem to have much money to give to other charities and some have not been catholic at all!!! I believe charity begins at home and what better charity than to keep open good catholic schools. I am going to propose to our parish that we do not give to the Bishop’s appeal this year but pay the tuition of children to go to our catholic school who could not afford it otherwise. Four schools shut down in our diocese this year and I am furious. Two were given to the gov. for charter schools, therefore no religious classes can be given.