FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Zakrzewski, 501-618-0234
katie@catholicclimatecovenant.org
Monday, Aug. 12, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On August 12, Catholic Climate Covenant announced that it is now accepting applicants for a second round of the 2024 Victory Noll Sisters small grants program.
However, this application cycle will be different from the first round this year and from previous cycles.
From now until Nov. 4, the Covenant will accept applications for one large grant of up to $20,000. This grant will be given to a diocese or Catholic organization to help initiate or be reimbursed for a large-scale net zero emissions/ decarbonization project. Interested applicants will need to answer a series of questions posed by Catholic Climate Covenant regarding carbon emissions reduction measurements, ties to Catholic Social Teaching, and other metrics for determining impact and success. The Covenant intends to announce the recipient of this large grant by Dec. 2.
Kayla Jacobs, the Covenant’s Youth Mobilization Program Manager and VNS grants program subcommittee member, elaborated on the decision to award one large grant specifically for a net zero-themed initiative.
“I believe so many Catholic organizations would pursue net zero pathways if only they had a boost to get started,” Jacobs said. “A grant like this could be the difference between taking this big step or not. I’m excited that we are able to support an organization on this very important journey to live out Laudato Si’ and Catholic Social Teaching.”
Dan Misleh, Founder and Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant, explained that the Victory Noll grant program allows the Covenant to continue to spur innovation and creation care throughout U.S. Catholic communities.
“We are excited and honored every year to help Catholic communities across the country engage in creation care efforts through the awarding of small grants to environmental projects in the spirit of Laudato Si’. But during this grant application round, we have the opportunity to do something unique,” Misleh said. “When it comes to caring for God’s creation and making a lasting difference in the fight against climate change, all efforts matter — big and small. We’ve awarded many small projects and efforts in the past, but this round, we wanted to help jumpstart a bigger initiative by helping a diocese or Catholic community reduce their carbon emissions on the journey to net zero.”
Misleh emphasized the importance of helping with larger-scale initiatives like this one.
“All projects are important, but we know that there is only so much a community can do with $500 to $1,000,” Misleh said. “In the spirit of Laudato Si’ and recent challenges by Pope Francis to Catholics everywhere — not to mention the call from the scientific community to reduce emissions as quickly as possible — we wanted to go bigger and do more.”
The Victory Noll Sisters Small Grants Program is made possible through the generosity of the Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, also known as the Victory Noll Sisters. In their honor and to advance creation care projects throughout the country, the Covenant has awarded over $250,000 worth of grants in the last three years in their name.
This second round of applications is a continuation of Victory Noll Sisters grants allocated earlier in the spring, with 91 recipients selected for the small grants ranging from $500 to $1,000, totaling $85,000 in grants awarded. Recipients were selected based on an array of criteria, ranging from the proposed project’s connections to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, the engagement of Catholic youth, and the lifting of environmental justice issues, among other factors.
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About Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Climate Covenant is a national U.S. nonprofit founded with the support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006 that inspires and equips U.S. Catholics and institutions to care for creation together. Through 20 national partners, we guide the U.S. Church’s response to climate change and integral ecology through faith-driven education, advocacy, and resources.
www.catholicclimatecovenant.org
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