Victory Noll Sisters Small Grants Program

Funder: Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters (Victory Noll Sisters) with Catholic Climate Covenant

Total Fund: More than $100,000 available (first year awarded nearly $100,000 to 100 organizations)

Geographic Scope

• United States only

Eligibility

Eligible applicants:

• Catholic parishes
• Catholic dioceses
• Catholic schools (elementary, high school, colleges/universities)
• Catholic religious communities (men and women religious)
• Other Catholic organizations
• College campus ministries
• Charitable agencies
• State Catholic conferences

Focus Areas

Funds support sustainability and climate justice projects inspired by Laudato Si', including:

• Service projects: tree-plantings, cleanups, community gardens, etc.
• Advocacy and dialogue: with church and political leaders on creation care and vulnerable neighbors
• Educational events: connected to Season of Creation, Feast of St. Francis, Earth Day, or the seven Laudato Si' Action Platform goals
• Prayer services and liturgies: related to creation care
• Retreats, workshops, or forums: to promote understanding, bridge-building, and healing related to creation care
• Carbon reduction activities
• Classroom instruction/curriculum: related to creation care
• Projects connected to the Vatican's Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP)
• Community gardens that provide healthy produce for food programs
• Tree canopy projects around schools and parishes
• Recycling and composting programs to cut waste in school and parish cafeterias
• Environmental stewardship and place-based education
• Sustainable land management activities including agroforestry, water conservation, erosion control

Application Timeline

• Rolling basis: After priority deadline, grants awarded on rolling basis until funds exhausted
• Annual program: Covenant hopes to continue annually

Contact Information

• Organization: Catholic Climate Covenant
• Address: c/o Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
• Phone: 202-987-7581
• Email: info@catholicclimatecovenant.org

Examples of Funded Projects

• Maryland Catholic Conference: Policy education on environmental protection
• Saint Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii): Sustainable land management and agroforestry education
• St. Bridget Catholic Community (Hudson, Wisconsin): Educational discussions on Laudato Si' with sustainability commitment signings
• Catholic High School (Virginia Beach, Virginia): Rewilding school property to increase biodiversity and plant native species
• Holy Redeemer School (Webster Grove, Missouri): Relaunch of educational, composting, recycling, and no-idling programs
• Community giving gardens: Harvesting and donating fresh produce to local food banks
• Student bee-keeping projects: Pollinator conservation initiatives

Additional Notes

• First year (2021-2022) received over 230 applications from Catholic groups
• Small grants have a multiplier effect in local creation care efforts
• Grant recipients encouraged to share stories as projects unfold
• Many projects are part of the Vatican's Laudato Si' Action Platform
• Staff contact: Paz Artaza-Regan, Creation Care Teams Manager

Application Process

1. Review eligibility requirements - Confirm your organization is a Catholic parish, diocese, school, religious community, or other Catholic organization in the United States
2. Review focus areas and project types - Ensure your proposed project aligns with Laudato Si' and creation care themes
3. Prepare application materials - Include:
   • Project description
   • How project connects to Laudato Si' or Vatican's Laudato Si' Action Platform
   • Budget details (requesting up to $1,000)
   • Organization information
   • Impact/outcomes expected
4. Submit application - Apply online through the designated application portal
5. Award notification - Winners announced by Catholic Climate Covenant
6. Project reporting - Grant recipients encouraged to share stories and updates as projects unfold

Key Application Considerations

• Priority deadline for first round: October 14, 2021
• After priority deadline, applications reviewed on rolling basis until funds exhausted
• Program selection criteria emphasizes connection to Laudato Si' and local community impact
• List of acceptable projects is not exhaustive - applicants may propose projects not listed if they align with creation care and climate justice themes

Required Information

• Organization name and type
• Project title and description
• Connection to Laudato Si' or creation care themes
• Expected outcomes and community impact
• Budget breakdown for $1,000 grant
• Volunteer hours and community engagement plans (if applicable)