Catholic Campaign for Human Development

 

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the US Catholic Bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program. Thanks to the generosity of our brothers and sisters during the 2022 CCHD collection last November, the Diocese of Dallas has funds available to support local organizations who work to break the poverty cycle.
 

The 2023 CCHD grant application deadline is April 30th. 

The CCHD grant application may be found here. We are looking for organizations that assist in ending the poverty cycle, educate on the effects of living in poverty, and embody Catholic Social Teaching in their works.

Parishes interested in advocating for CCHD may visit the USCCB website for additional resources or scan the QR code below for a digital toolkit.

Parishes in the Diocese of Dallas may request a presentation about Catholic Social Teaching: Click here!

CCHD Mission

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

We invite you to be a part of this social mission of the Church.

About CCHD

Created in 1970, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the US Catholic Bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ “… to bring good news to the poor … release to the captives … sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18). Funds collected in support of this initiative will assist programs working with our brothers and sisters living in poverty by providing them opportunities to break the poverty cycle through decision making that affects their lives, families, and communities. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, CCHD educates on the causes of poverty and addresses them through advocacy.

CCHD is made possible by the generosity of Catholics in the US in the annual parish collection held in November. After each collection, 75% of the funds are sent to the National Office to support nationally funded groups, while 25% remain in the diocese for locally supported groups. The collection also supports the mission to promote Catholic Social Teaching throughout the diocese.

CCHD recognizes that there are two different but complementary ways that we can walk the path of love, or caritas. We call these the “Two Feet of Love in Action,” based on Pope Benedict XVI’s reflections in Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) and Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth).

 

 Social Justice: The left foot’s goal is to remove root causes of social injustice and improve the structures that negatively affect individuals and their families.  Examples include working to improve the local education system, supporting environmental laws, participating in living wage campaigns,  and promoting peace.

Charitable Works: The right foot’s goal is to meet the basic needs of individuals.  Examples include volunteering at homeless shelters,                            tutoring children, donating food to pantries,  sponsoring a refugee family,  and participating in community beautification projects.

 

Local Grants

Due to the generosity of parishioners and CCHD supporters, the Diocese of Dallas has funds available for local grants. We are looking for organizations who:

  • Assist in ending the poverty cycle
  • Educate on the effects of living in poverty
  • Embody Catholic Social Teaching in their works

Local grants are available in amounts ranging from $1,000 - $5,000.

To qualify for a local grant, an organization must have 503(c)1 status, be non-partisan, not contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and be within the Diocese of Dallas.  Priority will be given to organizations that give a decision making voice to those living in poverty and benefiting from the program.

Direct service applicants may not be considered.

Applications are due by April 30, 2023.

Submit CCHD Local Grant Application

Former Local CCHD Funded Groups

  • Texas Tenants Union, or TTU, was nationally funded by CCHD for the 2015 grant year.  TTU strives to educate tenants of their rights and assist in helping them to work to improve the quality of their own lives and their communities.
  • Bonton Farms is a locally funded group which strives to end a food desert in the South Dallas area called Bonton. It provides fresh vegetables, honey, and eggs to people in desperate need of fresh produce who would have to travel 30 miles to the nearest food. 
  • Dallas Area interfaith, is a locally funded group for the 2015-16 grant session. They are a multi-cultural, multi-religious organization that strives to advocate for those on the margins, and assist them in forming community organizations to effect change.
  • SkillQUEST strives to motivate adults at 200% the poverty level to obtain training in high group sectors leading to careers with benefits so as to break the cycle of poverty. It provides training needed by students to obtain living wage jobs. 
  • Dallas Leadership Foundation helps to serve over 2,700 individuals each year as they re-enter society with a prison record. They work to break the cycle by beginning with a pre-release program to overcome substance abuse, and develop parenting skills, money management, job skills, through mentoring.