The repainting of St. Francis Xavier, Superior, was partially funded through a grant from the Catholic Extension. When parishes need money for infrastructure projects, ministry or personnel, they call on the Office of Stewardship and Development for grant-writing assistance. The annual financial appeal funds this and other services.
“One of the many things I do is to write grants,” said Steve Tarnowski, director of the department.
When parishes need cash for infrastructure projects, “I kind of beat the bushes and find the best sources,” he explained. “In my time here, I’ve touched every parish in the diocese with at least one grant.”
To Access, please contact Steve Tarnowski, Director of Development (715) 394-0223
The easy search system offers the most up-to-date information on nearly 1,500 Catholic funding sources which will directly increase your fundraising potential.
The Director of Stewardship and Development is available to assist parishes in the grant writing and application process.
If you do not have a copy of The Catholic Foundation Guide a recent copy is available from the Department of Stewardship and Development for your use.
A successful grant proposal is one that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned, and concisely packaged.
Be realistic about the time and effort involved -- both in the grant-writing process and in the project itself. Know that the failure rate will be greater than your success.
Do your homework. Research extensively to find the most appropriate funders for the project you have in mind. Don't work alone. Assemble a team -- consisting of (at least) a researcher, a writer, a proofreader, and a typist -- to help with the application process.
Make sure everyone who will be involved in implementing the project also is involved in the application process. Have someone not involved in the application process check the application for clarity of content.
Once a potential grantor foundation is identified, call the contact telephone number and ask for a grant application kit. A cover letter from the Bishop should always accompany a proposal.
Summary: Clearly and concisely summarizes the request
1. Appears at the beginning of the proposal
2. Indentifies the grant applicant
3. Includes at least on sentence on credibility
4. Includes one sentence on problem
5. Includes one sentence on objectives
6. Includes one sentence on methods
7. Includes total cost, funds already obtained and amount requested
8. Is brief, clear and interesting
Introduction: Describes applicants credibility and qualifications for funding
1. Clearly establishes who is applying for funds
2. Describes applicants purposes and goals
3. Describes applicants programs and activities
4. Describes applicants constituents
5. Offers statistics and support of accomplishments
6. Offers quotes and endorsements
7. Qualifications supported with research and training
8. Leads logically to problem statement
9. Brief, interesting and free of jargon
Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
1. Relates to purposes and goals of applicants parish/school
2. Project is reasonable and can be accomplished
3. Supported by statistical evidence
4. Supported by statements from authorities
5. Stated in terms of constituents needs and not parish/school needs
6. Developed with input from constituents and beneficiaries
7. Makes no unsupported assumptions
8. No jargon, interesting, brief and compelling
Objectives: Describes the outcomes of grant in measurable terms
1. At least one objective for each problem or need in the problem statement
2. Objectives are outcomes and not methods
3. Describe who will benefit
4. States the time by which objectives will be accomplished
5. Objectives should be measurable
Methods: Describes the activities to be conducted to achieve objectives
1. Flows naturally from problems and objectives
2. Clearly describes program activities
3. Describes sequence of activities
4. Describes staffing of program
5. Describes a reasonable scope of activities
Evaluation: Presents a plan for determining success
1. Plan for evaluation of accomplishments
2. Describes any evaluation reports or data gathering methods
Future Funding: Describes a plan for continuation beyond grant
1. Presents a specific plan to obtain future funding
2. If construction – describes future maintenance
3. Minimal reliance on future soft grant support
Budget: Clearly delineates cost to be met by the grant source and others
1. Tells the same story as narrative
2. Detailed in all aspects
3. Contains no unexplained amounts
4. Includes all volunteers
5. Includes all consultant fees
6. Is sufficient to perform the tasks described in narrative