Epiphany Mission in Italy, Texas recently received a $37,500 grant from The Catholic Foundation during the 2011 Spring Grant Ceremony. Epiphany Mission was among 17 religious, educational and charitable organizations within the Diocese of Dallas that received more than $897,000 in grants from the Foundation this spring. The grant they received will fund renovations to their church building.

News Release

More Than $897,000 Granted to Dallas-area Organizations
The Catholic Foundation provides funding to 17 local educational, religious and charitable organizations

DALLAS – The Catholic Foundation granted $897,483 to 17 schools, churches and organizations serving the Diocese of Dallas during a public granting ceremony at Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Parish on April 27, 2011. Grants are given twice yearly and support organizations that demonstrate their ability to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Catholic community. They were made from the unrestricted endowment ($563,727), and the restricted funds ($333,756) of the The Catholic Foundation.

“For more than 55 years, the Foundation has been able to provide funding to programs and causes within our Diocese and beyond, including $65 million in grants during the last 25 years,” said Ed Schaffler, president and CEO of The Catholic Foundation. “It’s a privilege to help fund the programs that allow so many organizations to continue enriching our communities through their excellent educational, religious and charitable work.”

Grants will be directed to a variety of causes including everything from textbook and curriculum updates in schools, to school and church renovations. Among the programs that received funding was “A Mission of Excellence for Catholic Schools,” a strategic plan that will span all 31 Diocesan schools, examining them to ensure their growth and sustainability. The outcome of this program will allow the Diocese to make Catholic education accessible and affordable to all parts of the Catholic community.

The Catholic Foundation manages an unrestricted fund for grant requests, but the Foundation also works with families and individuals interested in starting donor-advised funds, named or otherwise, to benefit their communities today and for future generations. More than $1,821,000 was granted in 2010.

All 17 grant recipients of The Catholic Foundation’s 2011 spring grants cycle are listed below, and restricted funds are listed when applicable.

All Saints Catholic Church – $8,154
New Sound System
With additional funding provided by the Roper Fund

Christ the King Catholic Church – $25,000
Construction of New Parish Center

Diocesan Catholic Schools Office – $40,000
Funding for Strategic Plan “Mission of Excellence for Catholic Schools”

Epiphany Mission – $37,500
Painting of Church Interior and Exterior and New Cabinets in Sacristy

Good Shepherd Catholic School – $100,000
Replace Roof on School

Holy Trinity Catholic School – $12,604
Renovation of Girls’ Restroom
With additional funding provided by the William & Mary Jane Jaspersen Fund

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School – $55,000
Renovations and Improvements in Kitchen, Cafeteria and Student Restrooms

Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary – $60,000
Replacement of Air Conditioning and Heating System

Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Vietnamese Church – $20,000
Furniture for CCD Meeting Rooms and Social Center

St. Augustine Catholic Church – $16,500
Repair Courtyard at Entrance of Church

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School – $7,089
Installation of New Fire Alarm System
With additional funding provided by the Osborne Family Fund

Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy – $65,000
New Textbooks and Classroom Resource Materials

St. Luke Catholic School – $35,880
Curriculum Updates
With additional funding provided by the Dorothy Irving Memorial Fund

St. Philip Catholic School – $32,000
Replace Fire Alarm System
With additional funding provided by the Louise Buhrer Endowment Fund

Zero to Five Funders’ Collaborative – $25,000
“Together We Learn” Program with Catholic Charities

Holy Family of Nazareth School – $35,000
Tuition Assistance
Funding provided by the Dorothy Irving Memorial Fund

St. Joseph’s Residence – $208,090
Phase II Building Expansion
Funding provided by Victoria & Leon Gulczynskin Memorial Fund ($194,459) and the Olga Faye Harper Senior Citizens Fund ($13,631)

Chartered in 1955, The Catholic Foundation was founded by a group of dedicated Catholic laymen with a vision that extended far beyond the charitable needs of the moment. For 55 years, this independent, nonprofit corporation has dedicated its resources to compassionate charitable giving through grants provided by benefactors through its many planned giving programs.  During the last 25 years alone, more than $65 million from the unrestricted endowment and donor-established funds has been provided to meet the needs within the Diocese of Dallas and the community, through grants to various religious, educational and charitable organizations.  For additional information about The Catholic Foundation, call 972.661.9792.