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2010 RFP for Excellence in Catholic Education Millennial Milestones Project Guidelines

General Information

1.  Grant Making Objectives

The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is a non-profit entity that acquires, administers, and distributes funds to benefit education institutions, parishes, ministries, and charitable needs of the Diocese of Buffalo.

2.  Geographic Area Served

The Foundation serves the eight counties of the Diocese of Buffalo:  Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua counties.

3.  Eligiblity

Applications are accepted only from representatives of Catholic parishes listed in the official Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Buffalo.  All applications must be authorized by the pastor, temporary pastor, or pastoral administrator.  It is estimated that 15-20 grants of up to $4,000 dedicated for the benefit of parish Young Adult Ministry will be awarded. 

Attendance at the Millennial Milestones Conference to be held January 19-20, 2010 is mandatory to be considered as a grantee.  Staff will provide information on our funding objectives and the keys to successful project design.  Please contact Marie Dolan to register for this conference. (847-5505 or mdolan@buffalodiocese.org)

All grant recipients must agree to be part of a diocesan professional development/learning community by sharing their project implementation, impact and professional development through written summaries to be posted on the diocesan website and/or presentations at diocesan convocations.

Funding Objectives

Parish-based Young Adult Ministry Programs

1. Parishes will use the funding to create effective pastoral outreach to young adults.  The Millennial Milestones Project will provide parish leaders with the knowledge and tools to implement changes within parish life that will positively impact young adult Catholics (ages 18-35).  Of the many opportunities that Church has to welcome and journey with young adults, this project will focus upon 5 areas, or Millennial Milestones:
   • Post confirmation engagement
   • The college experience
   • Adult Confirmation
   • Marriage
   • Infant baptism
2. The project should build the parish’s capacity to measurably and positively impact the spiritual and faith formation of Catholics ages 18-35. In designing their project, parishes should:
   • Complete a Young Adult Ministry needs assessment (available at the January conference)
   • Identify the pastoral needs of highest priority
   • Research best practices/models that your project will be based on. 

Application Criteria

The Grants Committee will select from among all submitted applications those proposals which:

• Provide measurable impact for the people they serve.
• Build the parish capacity to provide excellence in Young Adult Ministry.  This may include:
  • Professional development
  • Incremental costs associated with implementing a new program.

• Successful applications will show how the project can be sustained after the grant funding period ends.  (The Foundation seeks to provide transformational funding, not funding for on-going operations.)
• Provide a replicable model for other parishes. 

Funding Considerations

1. Grant funding is subject to the mission and philosophy of the Foundation and donor restrictions where applicable. All final grant making decisions rest with the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
   • It is anticipated that $80,000 in funding will be available through this RFP made possible through the Catholic Education Endowment Fund.
2. Parishes that have received funding from the Foundation in previous years may apply for funding through this RFP. 

Funding Limitations & Restrictions

1. Funding can be applied for special programs, projects and equipment.
2. Only one Young Adult Ministry project will be accepted per parish.
3. Operational funding requests are not considered.
4. Building and endowment capital campaign requests are not considered.
5. Multi-year funding requests are not considered.
6. Programs or projects that provide a private benefit to an individual or affiliated person are not considered.
7. Programs or proposals which are in any way at variance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are not considered.

Grant application process overview

1. The Foundation will send a notice to eligible parishes inviting the on-line submission of an Application.  Use the following web link: www.FRCDB.org/rfp2010.
2. The Committee on Grants will make all final selections among approved, validated Applications.
3. The Application must have the approval of the pastor, temporary administrator, or pastoral administrator.
4. The Committee on Grants will make award recommendations to the Board of Trustees at the Executive Committee meeting. Grants recipients will be notified by June 1, 2010.

Timeline Overview for 2010 RFP for Catholic Education Funding

Go To 2010 RFP Instructions