The grant process is conducted entirely online.

• Contact your (Arch)diocesan Office of Black or Multicultural Ministry to obtain a copy of the Pastoral Plan of Action specific to your (arch)diocese. If your (arch)diocese does not have a Pastoral Plan of Action, you may identify one of the following topics that your program addresses:
  • Strengthening the Black Catholic family
    • To include parenting education programs, mental health outreach, after-school programs for at-risk youth, etc.
  • Catholic Education to the children of Black families facing financial need
    • A different focus of this effort may be to support Catholic Schools that are experiencing declining enrollment
  • Increasing Catholic spirituality through the lens of Black ethnicity
    • This may include Small Group Bible study, study of Black Catholic holy men and women through history (including the six Catholic men and women on the path to sainthood), etc.
  • Reengaging Black Catholic youth and young adults in their faith
    • This may include leadership building programs for Black Catholic youth or young adults, mentoring programs for Black Catholic youth or young adults, Catholic media programs (podcasts for example) geared toward Black Catholic youth or young adults, Vocations Awareness Programs, etc.
  • Evangelization to neighborhoods and communities
    • This may include community fairs, health fairs, music/entertainment programs, revivals, door-to-door outreach (please use safety first), community beautification projects, etc.
  • Capital Improvements for Catholic parishes and schools for health and safety reasons
    
• Use the checklist below to prepare your information.
• Log onto the DRF Dashboard and create a new account. Use the tutorials available to become familiar with the online application process.
• You must submit a letter of support from the appropriate source at the time you submit your application. Please read the instructions under the letter of support section to make sure you are providing a letter from the appropriate source. Providing a letter from an incorrect source will disqualify your grant application.

Please note:

• Only applications submitted within the next application cycle will be considered for funding.
• Since the Daniel Rudd Fund is intended to provide start-up capital, we will only award grants to organizations for a maximum of three grant cycles.
• Watch the 2024 Daniel Rudd Fund Application Tutorial Webinar

I. Overview of the DRF Funding
The Daniel Rudd Fund provides financial support for programs that address issues relevant to Black Catholics within your (arch)diocese. These initiatives should align with your Pastoral Plan for Black Catholics or the concerns identified by the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) in the United States. Areas of focus include:

• Strengthening the Black Catholic Family**: This can involve parenting education programs, mental health outreach, and after-school programs for at-risk youth.
• Supporting Catholic Education**: Funding may assist children from Black families facing financial difficulties and can also support Catholic schools experiencing declining enrollment.
• Enhancing Catholic Spirituality Through the Lens of Black Ethnicity**: Programs might include small group Bible studies or studies on Black Catholic holy figures in history, including the six Catholic men and women who are on the path to sainthood.
• Reengaging Black Catholic Youth and Young Adults in Their Faith**: This could involve leadership-building programs, mentoring initiatives, Catholic media programs (like podcasts), and Vocations Awareness Programs.
• Evangelization in Neighborhoods and Communities**: Potential initiatives can include community fairs, health fairs, music and entertainment programs, revivals, safe door-to-door outreach, and community beautification projects.
• Capital Improvements for Catholic Parishes and Schools**: Grants may be used for health and safety-related improvements.

II. Purpose and Limitations of DRF Grants
The primary goal of the DRF grant program is to provide seed money for new and existing organizations to establish outreach initiatives for Black Catholics. Organizations can receive funding for a maximum of three grant cycles, either consecutively or non-consecutively. After receiving funding three times, an organization will be disqualified from further consideration.

III. Grant Amounts
There is no minimum amount required for grant requests; however, the maximum grant awarded is $20,000.

July 1, 2025 – Application cycle opens

September 8, 2025 – Application cycle closes

October 2025 – Applications sent to independent reviewers for recommendations

November 2025 – NBCC trustees approve recommendations. Award letters mailed with agreements. When signed agreements are returned and received by the NBCC office, grant checks are mailed.

Have the following information and materials ready.

1. Contact Information
Organization name
Mailing Address
Phone number
Email address
Main contact person
Names of board or committee members

2. Program Description 
Describe the following about your organization or program: its history, its mission and how it aligns with your (Arch)diocesan Pastoral Plan of Action or the identified topics of concern identified in the “How to Apply” section above. If your program addresses topics in your (Arch)diocesan Pastoral Plan of Action, you must upload a copy of the Pastoral Plan when completing the application.

3. Budget
Provide the following information for the budget template:

Income:
Amount Requested: $
Other sources of Income: $
Total Amount for the Program: $ (add both lines above)

Expenses
Program Expenses (please explain): $ (add all expenses for total)
Please note: Income and expenses should be equal to show a balanced budget.

4. Impact Statement
How do you visualize that your program will spread the Catholic Faith in the Black Catholic community? Give three examples.

5. Scope
Explain whether the program is local or national.

6. Letter of Support

• Please upload a signed letter that affirms and supports your program idea.
• Address the letter to Valerie Washington, NBCC Executive Director.
• The letter must be written on official stationery.
• Providing a letter from an incorrect source will disqualify your grant application
• For Parish Structural Improvements for Health & Safety Reasons, the letter of support must be written by the (Arch)Diocesan Ordinary (Primary Diocesan (Arch)Bishop).
• For Tuition Assistance to Youth Attending or Applying to Attend Diocesan Catholic Schools that are Experiencing Declining Enrollment, the letter must be written by the Superintendent of Catholic Schools within your diocese.
• For Tuition Assistance to Youth Attending or Applying to Attend Independent or Private Catholic Schools that are Experiencing Declining Enrollment, the letter must be written by the Religious/Provincial Superior of the sponsoring religious community.
• Other Programs must submit Letters of Recommendation from one of the following sources:
  • Diocesan Chancellor, Vicar General, or Episcopal Vicar for Clergy
  • Director of your Diocesan Office of Black or Multicultural Ministries
  • Director of a National Catholic Organization
  • President of a Catholic College or University
  • Religious/Provincial Superior – Head of a national or local chapter of a religious community
  • Superintendent of Catholic Schools within your diocese

If you have any questions about the DRF Grant Application Process, please contact the Grant Administrator at nbcc@nbccongress.org.