Nonprofit Professional Development Grant Opportunity

As part of the Generative Spirit initiative and through generous funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Sisters of Charity Foundation is offering a mini-grant opportunity for young adults (ages 22-39) working in sister sponsored or sister-led nonprofit service and advocacy organizations to access professional and spiritual development opportunities. Through a survey and focus groups of young adults, the foundation has learned that these opportunities are important to employees at mission-based organizations, but they are often difficult to access due to the limited resources at their organizations.

The goal of the mini-grant opportunity is to provide young professionals with capacity-building to help equip and energize them for continued service in ministry. The grants are intended for employees of organizations that currently provide limited or no professional development opportunities due to budget restraints.

Apply here.

Funding Opportunity

Eligible applicants can apply for up to $1,000 of funding for individual professional, leadership or spiritual development opportunities, or up to $2,000 for similar opportunities for multiple young adult employees at an organization.

Applicant Eligibility

• Applicants must be nonprofit service or advocacy organizations sponsored or led by Catholic sisters, or organizations where Catholic sisters are significantly involved.
• Funding is intended for an employee(s) of smaller organizations that are unable to provide resources for professional, leadership or spiritual development due to limited resources.
• Schools are not eligible to apply. The Ministry Leadership Program is intended to serve employees of sister-sponsored or led schools.
• Applicants must have tax-exempt status as nonprofit organizations, as identified by the Internal Revenue Code.
• Grants are not made to individuals.

 Use of Funds

Funding must be used for the professional and/or spiritual development of a young adult employee or a group of young adult employees ages 22-39. Professional, leadership, or spiritual development opportunities eligible for funding may include, but are not limited to:

• Conferences / events
• Trainings / workshops
• Spiritual direction
• Professional coaching
• Retreat experiences

Timeline

• December 3, 2018: Applications open
• February 1, 2019: Applications close.
• March 1, 2019:  Applicants notified of the status of their grant application.
• April 1, 2019: Applicants receive funding
• April 1, 2020: Final report on use of funds due

Application Process

Click here to apply.

Applications remain open through February 1, 2019. For any questions or concerns, please contact Courtney Zuendel at czuendel@socfcleveland.org.