By Carol Incarnacao-Schirm
BRIDGEPORT—Starting on February 15, pastors and ministry leaders in the Diocese of Bridgeport will be able to apply for grants up to $10,000 from Foundations in Faith to support creative and innovative approaches to faith formation and religious education.
The St. John Paul II Fund for Religious Education and Faith Formation supports parishes and diocesan organizations with a focus on invigorating religious education and youth ministry programs.
Foundations in Faith recognizes this endeavor, especially for children, teenagers, and young adults is at the heart of parish life throughout the diocese—and it keeps in mind Bishop Caggiano’s emphasis on the importance of “thinking outside the box.”
The St. John Paul II Fund’s program support grants have funded diverse and dedicated parishes and ministry programs, typically running from September to June. From bilingual curriculums, to theater productions, retreats, speaker series, and including basic nuts and bolts of religious education and faith formation, Foundations in Faith is seeking programs that highlight creativity, innovation, and youth engagement.
A total of $142,000 in program support grants was awarded to 22 parishes and ministries in 2022.
St. John Paul II once said, “The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love.”
The program support grant program is the largest undertaking of all for Foundations in Faith. And it’s becoming even larger in 2023.
New Platform for Applicants and Grantees
This year, all applicants will first head to www.foundationsinfaith.org/grant-applicant-login to create an account. Then, from the Grant Applicant Dashboard, applicants will choose “Apply” under Program Support Grants.
The best applications always include as much detail about the program as possible, including specific goals and a descriptive itemized budget.
Once the application is submitted, keep checking the Grant Applicant Dashboard for application updates—including grant decisions in the first week of July!
The program support grant application period for the St. John Paul II Fund runs from February 15 to March 31. To learn more, contact Carol Incarnacao-Schirm, Foundations in Faith’s grant manager at 203.416.1393 or carol.incarnacao-schirm@foundationsinfaith.org.
