WelCom May 2022
Applications for Catholic Foundation grants are welcome, with the next round of applications being considered at the Foundation Board’s meeting on May 16. Applications will also be considered at the Board’s August and November meetings.
Last year the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Wellington distributed $400,000 in grants. Grants were made to Church activities such as Catholic Social Services, hospital and prison chaplaincies, training of pastoral leaders and seminarians, Turanga Māori and WelCom newspaper. Some parishes also received grants for specific projects. About $8 million has been distributed since the Fund was set up in 1981.
This year the Foundation has also awarded five Catholic Foundation scholarships to students in the Wellington Archdiocese for tertiary studies and three further scholarships were designated for refugee students.
The Catholic Foundation was launched by Cardinal Williams in 1981. A campaign was launched to attract members to the Foundation and within a month the first $1 million had been pledged. The generosity of new members and judicious investment decisions has enabled the capital to grow to over $13 million.
The Foundation is in good heart financially but is always looking for new members to boost the fund, says Foundation Chair Francis Fanning.
‘We’re seeking membership contributions of $10,000 which can be paid in one lump sum, or spaced over several years, or done by way of a bequest.’
Francis Fanning said that the Foundation used to make many small grants of up to $5,000 to Catholic organisations but the approach is different now.
‘We have recently resolved to limit our grants to larger and more significant matters, with the intention of supporting fewer but more substantial and meaningful initiatives. Applications for Catholic Foundation grants will be welcomed and receive due consideration,’ said Francis.
Details on how to apply can be found on the Catholic Foundation website catholicfoundation.org.nz