Catholic Campaign for Human Development
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the national anti-poverty program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The program works to support low-income people as they address unjust systems and build empowering organizations.
In addition, the CCHD helps to educate the public on poverty-related issues, using the perspective of Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching.
CCHD Grants
The CCHD has two types of grant which organizations can apply for. These are the Community Development Grants and the Economic Development Grants.
Community Development Grants
CCHD Community development grant amounts range between $25,000 and $75,000. Community Development grants support efforts that demonstrate a commitment to the dignity of the human person. CCHD-funded groups are led by people living in poverty and work to address the root causes of poverty by nurturing solidarity between the poor and non-poor and facilitating the participation of people living in poverty in decisions that perpetuate poverty in their lives. As part of such efforts, low-income people gain the ability to identify barriers, brainstorm solutions, and take action to change problematic structures and systems in their communities.
Economic Development Grants
CCHD Economic Development grant amounts range between $25,000 and $75,000. CCHD supports economic development initiatives that significantly include the voice of the poor and marginalized in developing new businesses that offer good jobs and/or develop assets that will be owned and enjoyed by local communities.
Grant Timeline
The pre-application for both grants becomes available each year on September 1. These should be submitted no later than November 1.
If organizations are invited to move forward in the process, a full application will be due on January 15. Site visits will then take place between January and April. Funding decisions will be made in May and June.
CCHD Collection
The annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development takes place in November. Your donations support the anti-poverty work of the CCHD around the county.
Reentry Scholarships
One local project supported by the CCHD is the Reentry Scholarship Fund, run through the Archdiocese of San Francisco Restorative Justice Ministry. This program was launched with the support of CCHD grant funds to California Catholic Conference restorative justice programs.