Who reviews the proposals?

A committee established by the Franciscan Coalition, consisting of lay leaders, staff, and a friar.

Does the project have to be"religious" in nature?

The project/program must arise directly from the main tenants of Catholic Social Teaching and should bear witness to this "best kept secret" of the Church.  However, this tie need not be made so explicit that people involved feel as though they are being beaten over the head with the religious overtones.  This will require good taste and discernment about the appropriate extent to which the "tie" is made.

How many grants could I/my ministry/small group apply for?

There is, theoretically, no limit.  However, preference will be given to fair distribution of funds.

What is the minumum or maximum someone could apply for?

There is technically no minumum and no maximum amount that can be requested, but grants under $50 or over $5000 will generally be considered only in special circumstances.

How long will the review take once the grant has been submitted?

Grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis, as specified in the "Application Guidelines" section.  You can expect to hear from the Review Committee no later than 10 days after their quarterly review.

Can an organiztion outside The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi apply?

Yes.  However, the "external" grant-seeking entity must be a recognized 501c3 whose mission and work is closely associated with and/or directly fulfilles a central tenant of Catholic Social Teaching.  The "external" grant-seeking entity must also have a sponsor at the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, create opportunity for parishioner involvement in the project/program for which funding is sought, and agree with the other conditions/requirements of the Poverello Fund.

Why would a grant be denied?

In 2000, the 'California Grants Guide' identified The Ten Most Common Reasons Grants are Declined.  Use this as a rule of thumb, and consider some suggestions for avoiding these pitfalls. (Adapted from California Grants Guide, Grant Guides Plus, 2000.)

"The application does not meet our priorities."
- Research thoroughly before applying.

"The organization is not located in our geographic area of funding."
- Get the guidelines before applying and make sure your project fits within the geographic parameters.

"The proposal does not follow our prescribed format."
- Read the application information very carefully and follow it exactly.

"The proposal is poorly written and difficult to understand."
- Have friends and experienced people critique the grant before you submit it.

"The proposed budget/grant request is not within our funding range."
- Look at average size of grants of the funder.

"We don't know these people. Are they credible?"
- Set up an interview before submitting the proposal and have board members and other funded organizations help you establish a relationship and give you credibility.

"The proposal doesn't seem urgent. I'm not sure it'll have an impact."
- Study the priorities and have a skilled writer do this section to make it "grab" the funder. Your aim is to sound urgent, but not in crisis.

"The objectives and plan of action of the project greatly exceed the budget and timelines for implementation."
- Be realistic about the programs and budgets. Only promise what can realistically be delivered for the amount requested.

"We've allocated all the money for this grant cycle."
- Don't take this personally. It is a fact of life. Try the next grant cycle. Next time, submit at least a month before the deadline to give ample opportunity for questions and a site visit.

"There is not enough evidence that the program will become self-sufficient and sustain itself
after the grant is completed."
- Add a section to the proposal on your plans for self-sufficiency and develop a longterm strategy.

What happens if my proposal is denied?

The review committee will provide specific feedback regarding denied proposals.  If the problem lies in the quality of the propsal or in incomplete/inadequate articulation of the vision/plan, suggestions for improvement and and invitation to reapply may be offered.