Building Capacity Grants

Building Capacity Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Catholic Extension
Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Summary

The Building Capacity Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the financial and operational capabilities of dioceses. This initiative focuses on funding projects that promote efficiency, financial stability, and effective fiscal management, ultimately fostering a self-sustaining community. Eligible programs include fundraising development initiatives and operational assessments, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently while supporting professional development for church leadership. This grant empowers dioceses to strengthen their foundations for future growth.

Overview

Goals Enable dioceses to take steps toward supporting themselves by growing their financial and operational capacity. Building Capacity Grants "Building Capacity" funds initiatives that help dioceses operate more efficiently, increase financial stability and fundraising capacity, promote effective fiscal management and transparency, as well as institutionally strengthen Catholic schools. While all funding categories help a diocese build its capacity in some way, this particular category is designed to directly help dioceses fund specific initiatives that will enable them take steps toward becoming a more self-sustaining community. Qualifying Funding Areas Catholic Extension will consider support through "Building Capacity" funds for the following programs and activities: Catholic church fundraising development initiatives To help dioceses improve overall development efforts through: Operational efficiency initiatives: Salary subsidies for fundraising and grant-writing professionals Support for the professional development training of fundraising and church stewardship professionals through conferences and certification courses Subsidies for the implementation of fundraising software or technology To support investments that will result in improved operational efficiency over time, such as: Funding operational assessments/studies, to ensure the efficient use of resources and identify ways to reduce overhead, including the following: Energy efficiency studyOperational efficiency assessmentNew staffing solutionsPotential cross-diocesan partnerships that would leverage economies of scaleFunding for pastoral or strategic planning in an Extension diocese Funding for technology that results in cost-effective, long-distance conferencing or improved operations Financial management support Catholic Extension funds the following opportunities: Funds for financial audits or other internal financial controls/support systems that are not already in placeOpportunities for professional development of fiscal managers, such as financial conferences

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Catholic Extension provides funding directly to designated Extension Dioceses that are approved by Catholic Extension’s Board of Governors.

Ineligibility

Catholic Extension does not offer support for the building, maintenance, or operating expenses of new or existing Catholic schools and does not offer tuition assistance for students.Funding is not available to individuals or organizations that do not work in these specified dioceses.