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Mercy Fund Grants

Putting Mercy Into Action 

“Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy. The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.”

-Pope Francis (Bull of Indiction, Misericordiae vultus.)

Purpose

­The purpose of the Mercy Fund is to provide competitive grants for projects of mercy within the Diocese of Gary.  In general, grants are to be used for projects that support the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy which

  • Care for the poor and marginalized
  • Bring hope to the hopeless
  • Protect those too young or old to advocate for themselves

Eligible organizations

All Catholic tax-exempt 501(c)3 organizations located within the Diocese of Gary and any Catholic organization listed within the Diocese of Gary directory are eligible to apply for a grant.  Organizations without 501(c)3 tax exempt status must partner with an eligible fiduciary sponsor.

Area served

The majority of a fund’s grants should be directed to the 4 counties of the Diocese of Gary: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and Starke.

Types of grants

The Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana will award project-based grants to be expended within one year.  The Mercy Fund rarely supports capital and endowment grants, does not provide emergency funds, and depending on circumstances, may choose not to award grants to an organization for more than one year.  Awards are not granted to individuals.

Corporal Works of Mercy:

• To feed the hungry
• To give water to the thirsty
• To clothe the naked
• To shelter the homeless
• To visit the sick
• To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive
• To bury the dead
• To care for creation

Spiritual Works of Mercy:

• To teach the faith
• To counsel the doubtful
• To admonish the sinners
• To bear patiently those who wrong us
• To forgive offenses
• To comfort the afflicted
• To pray for the living and the dead

Learn more and apply here.