Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Courtesy of the Catholic Campaign of Human Development: 2024 CCHD Interns
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the national anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ "... to bring glad tidings to the poor ...  liberty to captives ...  sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free." (Luke 4:18)

The belief that those who are directly affected by unjust systems and structures have the best insight into knowing how to change them is central to CCHD. CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. CCHD offers a hand up, not a handout.

The date of the national collection is the same day as the World Day of the Poor on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Your help is important! The money collected goes to CCHD to help fund organizations who help those on the margins and align with Catholic teaching. While CCHD uses the money nationally, 25% of the money collected stays at our diocese so that we can also do our part in helping those in need.

There are 2 different types of grants that CCHD offers: Community Development Grant Program and Economic Development Grant Program.

• Between $25,000-75,000 can be received
• Supports organizations that are led by people living in poverty
• Wants the community to come together to change structures and policies that perpetuate the cycle of poverty
• To see if your organization is eligible, take the time to review the policies, criteria and guidelines.

• Between $25,000-$75,000 can be received
• Supports economic development initiative that significantly include the voice of the poor and marginalized in developing new businesses that offers good jobs and/or develop assets that will be owned and enjoyed by local communities.
• Focuses on supporting 5 types of Economic Development Institutions (EDIs). 
• To see if your organization is eligible, take the time to review the policies, criteria and guidelines.

Pre-Application:

• This is the first step to the funding process. This is where the organization's eligibility is determined. 
• All new applicants are required to submit a pre-application for the grant they intend to apply for.
• Pre-applications open September 1st and close November 1st.

• When the full application is submitted, it will be looked over by national and local diocesan staff which will include a site visit from the diocesan staff.
• Both national and diocesan staff will write up their reviews and discuss to agree on a recommendation to the USCCB's CCHD Subcommittee.
• Lastly organizations will be notified of the final funding decision in the summer of the following year. 
• If eligible, currently funded organizations will have an opportunity to reapply while completing their Interim Report which is due January 15th.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development works with 25 diocesan offices in the United States, Pensacola-Tallahassee included, to allow qualified individuals to learn about the mission of CCHD, Catholic Social Teaching, and gain experience working with and for the poor.