Fundraising and support from foundations

On some occasions it is necessary to obtain financial support in addition to having support from the diocese or parish and from the fees charged to participants. This support may come from three sources:

1. Fundraising
   • Activities carried out by stakeholders, such as food sales, raffles, request for financial or in-kind support, car washes.
   • Invitations to family members and community members to be sponsors of studies that involve a high cost, such as participating in the National Catholic Leadership Program. In this case, Fe y Vida offers an annual “Godparents Sheet,” which has helped many over the years. [Go to the Godparent Sheet on the NLP page]
2. Support from local foundations
   • In general, it is easier for a diocese or parish to obtain financial support from a local, regional or state foundation as its mission is to support the community of that locality. There are also national foundations that occasionally support dioceses financially.
   • Some religious congregations have funds to support the pastoral formation of the laity. Religious men and women who work in the diocese can be asked if their congregation offers financial support and what the steps are to apply for such.
   • In dioceses to request financial support from a foundation, it is necessary to do so in collaboration with the diocesan fundraising department, usually called the “Development Department.” In parishes, it must be done in collaboration with the pastor or with whom he delegates for such matters.
3. National foundations that financially support mission dioceses
   • In the United States, those who do not have sufficient income for the pastoral care of their parishioners are considered mission dioceses or dioceses in a missionary situation.
   • There are two foundations that subsidize these dioceses, each one has its own criteria to decide which diocese fits into this category, what requirements must be filled, and the guidelines to apply for a grant, so you should visit their sites:
     • Catholic Home Missions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
     • Catholic Extension Society
4. The request for financial support (grant request)
   • This website provides the information on Fe y Vida’s Leadership Training System (LTS) and its programs required for completing an application, except for the budget.
   • Once you have decided the program for which you wish to apply for a grant, costs, and initial planning, if necessary, Fe y Vida staff can demonstrate how to fill out the application those details. Just contact the staff of the Programs Department in that case.
5. Importance of giving thanks and a report
   • As soon as the funds are received, it is recommended to give thanks in writing by means of a card for individual donors and a letter if it is a foundation.
   • All foundations request a report of the activities carried out with the funds received. It is very important to submit the report on time as directed by the foundation. If the program has not taken place or has not yet been completed, a “Partial Report” must be submitted that specifies the activities that have already been carried out and indicates the dates on which the program will end. As soon as this closing period is over, the “Final Report” must be submitted.
   • A report includes the following:
     • Presentation of activities, including dates, number of participants and main characteristics
     • Evaluation of the program by participants, teaching staff and organizing team
     • Photographs of the events
     • Testimonials from participants
6. Planning the Evaluation
   •  Fe y Vida always offers an evaluation to participants in a program and requires that the analysis of said evaluation be communicated to the Programs Department. Among the service teams in a shared leadership model, there must be an evaluation team which is responsible for this process.
   • The central team or the program coordinator must ensure the evaluation of the trainers and of the central team. All Fe y Vida trainers present an evaluation of the courses they facilitate. This helps provide an evaluation to the diocese or parish to be included in a final report to the supporting foundation.