Community Impact Grant

About the Grant

The Community Impact Grant Program was created by the Catholic Foundation Board of Trustees in 2023. This new program is funded through donations to the annual Giving Challenge and administered by the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The Giving Challenge, run in-house with minimal overhead, allows 100% of every dollar donated to be directed toward bringing ministry to life in our Diocese. “We have found that being able to make an impact with every single dollar donated is very appealing to those who donate,” shared Jim Desmond, President of the Catholic Foundation Board of Trustees. “Our Board is looking forward to seeing the Giving Challenge grow, which will expand our ability to fund even more grants in the future!”

The awards, ranging from $500 to $5,000, are made to programs that support the diocesan mission of Courageously Living the Gospel by falling into one or more of the following categories:

  • Serving Christ by Serving Others
  • Youth & Young Adult Initiatives
  • Evangelization & Missionary Discipleship

All Diocese of St. Petersburg parishes, missions and any recognized diocesan ministries may apply.

The Grant Sub-Committee of the Catholic Foundation Board of Trustees created a simple grant application along with Terms and Conditions for those who receive the grant. To date, the Giving Challenge proceeds from 2022 and 2023 have supported two grant cycles.

Fall 2023 Recipients

In October 2023 the Catholic Foundation provided $200,000 for Catholic school tuition assistance and more than $62,000 for 15 different parish and local community level ministries and missions throughout the Diocese thanks to the generous donors to the 2022 Giving Challenge. Recipients included:

  • Bikes from the Heart | Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa 
  • Exceptional Adult Ministry | Christ the King, Tampa 
  • Tampa Bay Young Adult Retreat | Catholic Young Adults of St. Petersburg 
  • Extended Day Program | Morning Star School 
  • Empowering Eucharistic Evangelizers | Elisheba House 
  • Fall Student Retreat | Catholic Student Center at USF  
  • St. Anthony’s Food Pantry | Resurrection Parish, Riverview 
  • Make a Joyful Noise | Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center, Dade City 
  • Youth Center Fencing | Salesian Sisters of Tampa 
  • Tender Care Ministry | St. Francis of Assisi, Seffner 
  • Nourishing Neighbors | St. Justin Martyr Parish, Seminole 
  • Disciples of Hope | St. Luke the Evangelist, Palm Harbor 
  • Welcome Home-Hungry Child Program | St. Paul Parish, St. Petersburg 
  • Pack A Snack | St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Trinity 
  • The Virtual Church – Pilgrimage | St. Rita Parish, Dade City

Spring 2024 Recipients

In April 2024 the Catholic Foundation provided almost $85,000 in grants for 17 parish, Catholic school and local community level ministries and missions throughout the Diocese thanks to the generous donors to the 2023 Giving Challenge. Recipients included:

  • 1st Annual Youth Rally | Northern Central Deanery Parishes
  • ACTS II: Conversion, Proclamation, Community | St. Michael the Archangel, Hudson
  • Baron Day of Service | St. Petersburg Catholic High School
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd | Holy Family Catholic School, St. Petersburg
  • Dignity Bags | Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin
  • Food Pantry Ministry | St. Patrick Parish, Largo
  • Life Teen/Edge Youth Ministry | St. Paul Parish, St. Petersburg
  • Marist Encounter | Clearwater Central Catholic High School
  • Outreach Food Bank and Food Pantry | Nativity, Brandon
  • Outreach Ministry for Elderly, Lonely & Bereaved | St. Luke the Evangelist, Palm Harbor
  • School Bus Program | St. Patrick Catholic School, Largo
  • Soul Squad | St. Justin Martyr, Seminole
  • Spiritual Mothers in Lay Evangelization | Mantle of Mary, Inc., Belleair
  • St. Gianna Services Fund | St. Gianna’s Center for Women’s Health and Fertility Care, St. Petersburg
  • Thursday Sewing Group | Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor
  • Youth Ministry Program | Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg
  • Youth Ministry Program | Our Lady of the Rosary, Land O Lakes

    The next cycle for the Community Impact Grant will open on August 1, 2024. Please email foundation@dosp.org on or after August 1st to receive an updated application.