Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Working to end poverty in the United States!

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The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U. S. Catholic Bishops.

Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.

Founded in 1969, CCHD's pastoral strategy of empowerment of the poor through a methodology of participation and education for justice, leading toward solidarity between poor and non-poor is impelled by the Church's biblical tradition, modern Catholic social teaching, and the pervasive presence of poverty in the United States. This ministry for justice is rooted in our baptism and faith commitment.

The grants, economic development and education for justice program of the Campaign, implemented in collaboration with local dioceses, is supported from an annual collection in U.S. Catholic parishes.

Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Life and Dignity of the Human Person. All human life is sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. Society and its structures should aim to lift up the human person.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation. Humans are social and develop in community, starting with family. We should construct our society so all can flourish and participate in the decisions that affect them.

Rights and Responsibilities. Every human person has basic rights inherent in his or her very nature. We have a responsibility to organize our society so the rights of all can be fulfilled.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Those who are weak, vulnerable and most in need deserve preferential concern.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. Through work, humans participate in God’s ongoing process of creation. Work has dignity and the basic rights of workers must be respected.

Solidarity. We are one human family and are called to work for the common good—so that each individual can flourish materially, spiritually, and in all ways.

Care for God’s Creation. The earth has been entrusted to us, its stewards. All of creation is interdependent and its gifts are for all to share.

CCHD Advisory Board

• Sr. Jane Boos, S.S.N.D. (Director)

• Tom & Jane Deters, Quincy

• Ken Handley, Decatur

• Hugh Harris, Springfield

• Sr. Maureen Irvin, OSF, Springfield

• Melissa Lynch, Decatur

• Karen Miller, Charleston

• Deacon Raymond Roth, Jr., Rochester

• Deacon Michael (Kim) Scott, Winchester

• Ken Steiner, Highland

• Walt Unger, Maryville

CCHD Local Grant Information

Information, guidelines, and local grant applications are available on line (see below for downloading instructions) or from the Office for Social Concerns by calling (217) 698-8500, ext. 167 or 130. Applications may be returned by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The following links provide more information about the CCHD Local Grant Program.

•  2012 Background, Criteria, Guidelines, Instructions
•  2012 Background, Criteria, Guidelines, Instructions
•  2011 Grant Application
•  2011 Grant Application

All descriptive materials should be single-spaced. Complete explanations should be given, but in as concise a form as possible. If you wish to include pertinent attachments (a news article regarding your groups, letters of endorsements, etc.) these should not exceed three sheets. If any questions are not applicable to your program, merely skip the question and mark NON-APPLICABLE. All questions applicable to your program must be answered. Should you have any questions about the application please contact the Office for Social Concerns, 1615 West Washington Street, P.O. Box 3187, Springfield, IL 62708-3187, (217) 698-8500 ext. 167 or 130, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CCHD National Grant Information and Applications

http://www.usccb.org/cchd/grant.shtml

CCHD National Information Flier

•  CCHD National Information Flier English

•  CCHD National Information Flier Spanish