Lay Continuing Education & Formation Endowment Fund
The grant application process for July 2024 - June 2025 is closed. The next application window will open early 2025.
The Lay Continuing Education & Formation Endowment Fund, administered by the Catholic Foundation of Maine, was established through the Strengthening the Heartbeat of the Church Campaign in 2008. The purpose of the endowment was to build resources to support the present and future lay ecclesial ministry of the Catholic Church in Maine. Click to see a detailed overview of the grant program made possible by endowment proceeds.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this fund is to provide grants to current employees and volunteers of parishes, Maine Catholic schools, and diocesan offices to further the education and training related to professional service within the Church. The grants for lay people serving in roles such as pastoral life coordinators, business coordinators, music ministers, catechetical leaders, Catholic school teachers and youth ministers, catechists, etc. This fund also provides parishes, Maine Catholic schools, diocesan offices, and affiliated organizations of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland with grants to support education, training, and the start-up of new initiatives related to adult faith formation and professional service to the Church. The fund is not intended for the annual budgets of ongoing or recurring programs.
GRANT CYCLE AND TIMELINE
Grant applications and awards are offered annually for expenditures incurred in the next fiscal year (July 1 through the following June 30). Grants are awarded according to the funding available in a given year.
Grants will range from $250 to $3,500 for individuals. For parishes, diocesan schools, diocesan offices, and affiliated organizations the amount may be between $2,000 and $10,000. Parishes, schools, diocesan offices, and affiliated organizations may submit multiple requests in the same grant cycle, though often only one new project will be recommended for funding.
- Grant Application Available online - January / February
- Submission of grant application and attachment - typically March 30
- Applications reviewed by Grant Review Committee - April/May
- Decisions communicated - May 30
- Distribution of grants - July 1 to June 30 of the following year
Review Eligibility description to understand who and what fit the criteria for this grant then discern what activities or programs in your annual personal or organization planning may fit the intent of the grant.
HOW TO APPLY
Click to download the step-by-step process for preparing and submitting a grant application.
INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS
Individuals may request grants for a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $3,500 for eligible activities.
1. Gather all the information required for the desired grant (click to see Individual requirements below)
2. Download and print the Acknowledgement & Signatures Form (pdf). Fill in the requested information.
3. Review the information about your proposed activity with your pastor/principal/supervisor then both sign the Acknowledgement & Signatures Form
4. Create digital copies of the signed form and any other supporting documentation (scan or take pictures)
5. Open the appropriate online form to complete the application. All information must be entered and uploaded in one session. Go to Current Application Forms for more details.
NOTE: The application can only be accessed by those with a diocesan email address. If you do not have a portlanddiocese.org account, please work with your supervisor to identify who in the organization can assist in submitting the information online.
ORGANIZATION APPLICATIONS: Parishes, Catholic Schools, Diocesan Offices, and Affiliated Organizations in Maine
Organizations may request grants for a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $10,000 for eligible activities.
1. Gather all the required information (click see Organization requirements below)
2. Download Financial Details & Acknowledgement Form. Click form name in the new window to open as a Word document; Download document to edit. Enter all the requested information electronically.
3. Print completed form and review it along with other details of the proposed activity with your pastor/principal/supervisor before both signing this form.
4. Create digital copies of the signed form and any other supporting documentation (scan or take pictures)
5. Open the online Organization Application form to complete the application. All information must be entered and uploaded in one session. Go to Current Application Forms for more details.
NOTE: The online application can only be accessed by those with a diocesan email address. If no one in your organization has a portlanddiocese.org account, please work with your primary diocesan contact to submit an application.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Click to download an infographic with general tips for knowing when and how to successfully apply for a grant.
Watch a recording of a leader learning session with tips on knowing when and how to apply for grants.
ELIGIBILITY
Current employees and volunteers of parishes, Maine Catholic schools, and diocesan offices are eligible to apply for a grant from the Lay Continuing Education & Formation Endowment Fund. In addition, parishes, Maine Catholic schools, diocesan offices, and affiliated organizations are also eligible to apply for a grant from the fund.
Funding is awarded for programs taking place from July 1 of a particular grant cycle through June 30 of the following year only, e.g., July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023 for FY23.
Applications accepted for:
- Tuition for college and university courses or certificate programs from approved and accredited institutions in catechetics, theology, and religious studies or in a subject related to an individual's work as an employee or volunteer. Individuals in ongoing degree or certificate programs may re-apply for funding in subsequent years; however, funding is not guaranteed for each year of a degree or certificate program. Requests for funding in subsequent years will be considered upon verification of successful completion of academic work in the years previously funded. Applicants who received funding for a degree or certificate program are not eligible for additional funding for three years after the completion of the degree or certificate program.
- Registration fees for approved seminars, conventions, or conferences related to an individual's work as an employee or volunteer or which foster adult faith formation or professional development. In addition, costs for travel, lodging, and meals (per diem) for the same out-of-state seminars, conventions, or conferences. Applicants are eligible for such grants once in a three-year period.
- Start-up expenses for new initiatives related to faith formation activities for adults sponsored by parishes, schools, diocesan offices, or affiliated organizations. These entities may apply for ongoing start-up expenses in successive years. Funding is not guaranteed after the first year. Funding is limited to a maximum of three successive years of start-up expenses. Future new initiatives will be considered three years after the last grant for a previous initiative.
- New or one-time training and education programs related to adult faith formation or professional development offered by parishes, schools, diocesan offices, and affiliated organizations for their own employees or volunteers.
Expenses not typically covered by grant funds:
- Books and materials for such seminars and classes as identified above.
- In-state travel, lodging, and meals to and from seminars, conventions, or class.
- Non-tuition fees for an academic or certificate program, such as application fees, student services fees, room and board.
- Catechetical texts, series, or subscriptions.
- Any faith formation activities or materials related to children or youth.
- Capital expenses for equipment or devices.
- Primarily spiritual or devotional events or initiatives for parishioners at large, or liturgical training for parish liturgical ministers.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must complete the online application form, which includes a breakdown of expenses related to the program and the following information:
- Name of course, seminar or conference
- Description of the course, seminar, or conference
- Name of the applicant’s Sponsoring Institution or Organization
- Brochure/Invoice showing course, seminar, or conference cost
- Total cost of participation in out-of-state continuing education (lodging, meals, registration, etc.) including registration form, hotel rates, etc.
- Signature of the pastor in the case of a parish employee or volunteer, or the principal in the case of a Maine Catholic school employee or volunteer, or the immediate supervisor in the case of an employee or volunteer of a diocesan office
In addition to describing the activity and expenses, prepare short answers these questions (one or two sentences maximum):
- Why are you pursuing this degree/certificate/activity?
- How will the related course(s)/activity help you serve in ministry better or more effectively?
- FOR DEGREE/CERTIFICATE: Where are you in the process of completing this certificate (number of credits already completed, anticipated graduation month/year, etc.)?
- FOR CONTINUING ED: How will your individual faith formation, ministerial or professional skills development in this activity contribute to the wider Church's ability to fulfill her mission?
Go to Current Application Forms for more details
- Description of program, including number of people intended to serve
- Current operating budget for a new program including projected revenue and expenses
- Brochure/Invoice showing program cost if applicable
- Names of people who will be involved in leading the program
- Signature of pastor in the case of a request for a parish grant, the principal in the case of a request for a grant for a Maine Catholic school, or the department supervisor in the case of a request for a grant from a diocesan office or affiliated organization
In addition to describing the activity and expenses, prepare short answers these questions (one or two sentences maximum):
- Why is the organization hoping to offer this activity now?
- How will the faith formation, ministerial or professional skills development provided in this activity contribute to the organization's ability to fulfill the Church's mission locally?
- What impact will this activity have on the wider parish/school/diocese if successful?
Go to Current Application Forms for more details
