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  INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

 I. Introduction and Purpose

Cooperative Parish Sharing is a voluntary program in which the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford, through the Office of Urban Affairs, draws together suburban and urban parishes for a cooperative effort to meet vital human needs of poor people.  Parishes pledge an annual amount to CPS, which is generally paid in monthly installments. These financial resources support social ministry projects by parishes or special projects by Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Each year Cooperative Parish Sharing awards grants to needy parish communities. Examples of projects that could be funded include but are not limited to English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs, tutorial programs, deanery youth ministry, farm worker outreach, HomeFront or prison ministry programs. CPS funds can be used by needy parishes in the Archdiocese to support their development as vital faith communities witnessing to the good news of the Gospel, particularly in low-income communities.  A list of needy parishes is requested from the Chancery. Requests to Cooperative Parish Sharing that duplicate other Archdiocesan funding for the same project will not be funded.  Priority is given to projects that show a clear evangelical dimension.

Internal Parish Development.  While CPS funds will not be granted to cover parish ordinary operating expenses, CPS will fund special, time-limited projects to develop or strengthen some vital aspect of parish life, for example, youth ministry, adult leadership development, community building in a parish with a changing ethnic/racial mix, etc. CPS strongly encourages collaborative initiatives among groups of eligible parishes to meet needs that no one parish could, for example religious education programs for persons with cognitive disabilities, or deanery-wide youth ministry programs.

 Parish Social Ministry.  There are four dimensions to parish social ministry: direct service, justice education, advocacy, or empowerment/organizing.  In some parishes there is a parish social ministry committee.  In others, the parish council plays this role.  In either case, a parish that wants to develop some new aspect social ministry, or to begin social ministry if none exists, can seek support from CPS.  When a parish applies to CPS to fund a direct service project it will be required to demonstrate that it is not duplicating an existing program. 

Catholic School Projects.  CPS will consider applications from needy Catholic parochial schools. Funding may be requested for special projects which go beyond normal budget items and which will enable the schools to realize important goals.

HomeFront.  Eligible parishes may apply for a matching grant toward the $2,000 fee that is required in order to participate in HomeFront Day.  Parishes which intend to do a HomeFront-type project, but not as part of AmeriCares HomeFront, may also apply.

II. The Application Process

A step-by-step procedure follows for preparing an application for funding once a project proposal is developed.

 1)              Due Dates 

HomeFront Applications:  October 30.  All others:  December 1.  No extensions will be granted.  If you received a prior-year grant we must have your completed final report in order to submit a new evaluation.

2)              OUA Parish Social Ministry staff will promote the use of CPS by eligible parishes.  Parishes can also communicate with Patricia Wallace at OUA (203.777.7279) about any questions you may have.

3)              Parishes can mail, or fax a copy of the application to OUA, 81 Saltonstall Avenue , New Haven , CT 06513 or 203.776.3233 or e-mail it to oua@oua-adh.org. A copy of the application form will be mailed or faxed to each eligible parish.  The application is also on the OUA website (www.oua-adh.org). The application must be signed by the pastor. Applications must be typed and cannot be made verbally or in any form other than the official application form.  Only complete applications can be accepted. Upon receipt of the application it will be dated, logged in, and acknowledged in writing.

4)              HomeFront applications must be recommended by OUA Parish Social Ministry staff to the Allocations Committee.  For HomeFront applications there will be no advance on-site visit until the day of the event.  Those visits will be done by OUA staff.  For all other applications the CPS Allocations Committee will conduct on-site interviews and evaluate applications.  All funding recommendations are reported to the OUA Board and then forwarded to the Archbishop of Hartford for approval. Because funds are limited, not all grant requests can be funded, and at times, less than the full amount is granted. 

5)              After approval by the Archbishop of Hartford and notice to the grantee, disbursements are made upon receipt of a completed contract and a clear photograph of some aspect of the project. Applicants for HomeFront matching grants will be notified by December 31 if possible. We strive to notify other applicants by early April.  Grants are paid in quarterly installments beginning in July unless another payment schedule is required by the nature of the program.  For example, matching grants for HomeFront are paid in a single payment.  We try to do this as well for summer programs, cash-flow permitting.   Grantees must submit a year-end evaluation and financial report.  Failure to complete and submit the required evaluation and financial report will prevent consideration of subsequent applications to CPS.  No funds granted by CPS can be spent for any purpose other than the purpose for which the grant was made.  Unspent CPS funds must be returned.

Rev. 9/06