2026 CCHD Mini-Grant Awards
Supporting Catholic Social Teaching Through Local Action
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s 2026 Mini-Grant program supported parish, school, ministry, and community projects that put Catholic social teaching into action through service, education, outreach, advocacy, and direct support for people experiencing poverty or marginalization.
The 2026 grant cycle included projects addressing food insecurity, homelessness, social justice education, youth and young adult service, parish outreach, community engagement, and support for vulnerable populations throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis. 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
In total, CCHD received 18 grant requests totaling $31,915 and awarded $25,015 in funding. 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
2026 Grant Recipients
St. Francis Xavier “College” Church
Middle School Social Justice Camp
St. Francis Xavier “College” Church requested funding to support a Middle School Social Justice Camp. The program provides offsite and onsite experiences designed to encourage middle school students to explore Catholic social teaching and become engaged in justice and service work.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Lucy – St. Vincent de Paul Society
Mini Vinnie Group
The St. Vincent de Paul Society Mini Vinnie Youth Group in the Saint Lucy Conference requested funding to purchase food for its Backpack Program, which provides food to school-aged children experiencing food insecurity. Funding also supports supplies for making sandwiches for the Outreach Program at Bethel Church.
Request: $1,900
Award: $1,600
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
Justice Seekers of Annunciation and Our Lady of Providence
Who Is My Neighbor Speaker Series
The Justice Seekers of Annunciation and Our Lady of Providence requested funding for the Who Is My NeighborSpeaker Series. The project consists of three evening sessions featuring presentations on poverty and food insecurity, migrant and refugee issues, and prison and death penalty reform.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Francis Borgia High School
SFBHS Mission Trip
St. Francis Borgia High School Campus Ministry requested funding to provide financial assistance for students participating in the school’s mission trip. Students will travel to the Dominican Republic, assist with construction of a new community center, receive the Sacraments, and visit homes in the area.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Western 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
Vincentian Marian Youth SEMO
Operation Overhaul
Vincentian Marian Youth SEMO requested funding for projects, transportation, food, shirts, and other expenses associated with Operation Overhaul. The program is a week-long service retreat for young adults ages 18 to 24 focused on St. Vincent’s call to evangelize the poor.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Southern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Vincent de Paul Parish
Meal Program
St. Vincent de Paul Parish requested funding for food, dishes, kitchen supplies, and other expenses related to its Meal Program. The program provides meals, hospitality, and compassionate outreach to approximately 100 to 180 individuals who may be experiencing food insecurity, poverty, homelessness, loneliness, or other hardships.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Clement and St. Gerard
Christpower
The St. Clement and St. Gerard Youth Ministry requested funding for a retreat center, vehicles, food, activities, and lodging for the Christpower project. Christpower is a service retreat in which teens from St. Clement and St. Gerard Majella youth groups attend service sites and encounter people who are poor, forgotten, or marginalized. Funding also helps offset participant costs.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,600
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Catherine Labouré Parish
Serving the Poor from the Unborn through Seniors with Love
St. Catherine Labouré Parish Faith and Justice Ministry requested funding to support several events and programs, including books for study, materials for prayer shawls, advertising for Mary Fox to speak on the death penalty, seed funding to begin a Mini Vinnie group for middle school boys, and a speaker event on mental health.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Northern
St. John the Beloved Disciple Catholic Church
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. John the Beloved Disciple requested funding to provide vouchers for neighbors served by its St. Vincent de Paul conference so they can attend the church picnic and participate in children’s games.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,600
Vicariate: Southern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Josephine Bakhita
Walking With the Most Vulnerable
St. Josephine Bakhita requested funding to sustain the daily work of the ministry, particularly community outreach, evangelization resources, parish hospitality and gatherings, and general administrative and ministry support.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,600
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
Mary, Mother of the Church Peace & Justice Ministry
Stories & Insights of LGBTQ+ and the Church
The Peace & Justice Ministry at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish requested funding to host a panel discussion intended to provide greater understanding of LGBTQ+ persons, their concerns, and their place in the Church. The panel was proposed for parish members and surrounding parishes, with panelists representing a variety of experiences, expertise, and perspectives.
Request: $1,000
Award: $0
Vicariate: Southern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Hope Builders Service Camp
Our Lady Queen of Peace requested funding for its Hope Builders Service Camp, a four-day service retreat where students in 8th grade through high school complete house repairs, yardwork, painting, and other projects for homeowners in the area who are unable to do the work themselves. Because the repairs are provided free of charge, the funding will be used to purchase the necessary supplies to complete the projects.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Southern
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Dilexi te: Education and Action
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church requested funding for an educational workshop focused on the message of Dilexi te. Participants would also prepare advocacy messages and letters to community leaders concerning structural change intended to improve the lives of people experiencing poverty.
Funding would support speaker stipends, workshop materials, refreshments, stationery and postage, and general outreach materials.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Northern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Sew Because You Care: The Sleeping Bag Project
St. Joseph Catholic Church requested funding for The Sleeping Bag Project, in which parishioners assemble approximately 700 to 800 sleeping bags and distribute them to shelters in the fall.
Funding supports sewing supplies, sewing equipment, sewing machine repairs, and fuel.
Request: $750
Award: $750
Vicariate: Southern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
St. Maurus Catholic Church
St. Isidore Share the Harvest Project
St. Maurus Catholic Church requested funding for its Share the Harvest Project. Parishioners use produce they grow to prepare meals that are distributed to an estimated 750 people through three mission meal trips.
Two trips would also provide healthy after-school snacks and Christian activity bags for needy children served by the mission. Funding supports food supplies, paper products, storage bags and containers, children’s activity bag materials, and fuel.
Request: $1,265
Award: $1,265
Vicariate: Southern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
Christ the Savior Parish
Autumn Harvest Chili Night
Christ the Savior Parish requested funding for its Autumn Harvest Chili Night, an event centered on service and care for the poor. The event includes Mass, a guest speaker, a chili dinner, and a food drive.
Funding supports food supplies, paper and service products, stipends for clergy and musicians, guest speaker expenses, and promotional materials.
Request: $2,000
Award: $1,500
Vicariate: Southern 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
2026 Mini-Grant Summary
Total Grant Requests: 18
Total Amount Requested: $31,915
Total Funding Awarded: $25,015 2026 CCHD mini-grant awards
These projects reflect a wide range of local efforts to address poverty, strengthen communities, educate parishioners about Catholic social teaching, engage young people in service, and support individuals and families facing economic and social challenges.
Learn More
For additional information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and local grant opportunities, contact:
Marie Kenyon
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Email: mariekenyon@archstl.org
2026 Grant Materials
[Download the 2026 CCHD Mini-Grant Awards]