​Social Justice Committee Grants

​CCOP Social Justice Grants
What are they ? - - Why ? - - How are they determined ?
 
Does some of the money I donate to CCOP go to any causes outside our immediate parish?
CCOP annually allocates a portion of its budget to fund Social Justice Grants. The CCOP Social Justice Committee then identifies organizations that are dedicated to Social Justice through charity or empowerment, and issues small grants to assist in their efforts.
 
When did we start this? Why do we do this? What’s the primary purpose of the grants?
CCOP started this process in the 1980’s acknowledging that everything we receive is a gift that is meant to be shared. Just as we are individually called to share our gifts (time, talents, and treasure) with others, we as a parish are communally called to share our gifts. The grants connect our parish community in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in need. Being mindful of these grants also serves to educate parishioners in awareness of the issues and needs for which the grants are made.

How much is allocated…and how is the amount determined?
The grant allocation process started as a 10% tithe based on the prior year’s first collection results. After some years the amount was reduced in recognition that the parish community now also funds social justice and outreach efforts through several other efforts and organizations. The grants budget is no longer a set percentage of first collection results, but is an amount appropriately recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by the Pastoral Council.

How much are the grants?
Grants range from $500 and may be larger as allocated for a greater need, especially to smaller organizations where the funds make a bigger impact. Very large international organizations may be excluded because our small donations are more inconsequential to them. The Committee follows defined criteria and uses its best judgment in setting amounts for all grant recipients. Funding may be increased, decreased, or eliminated as appropriate. Currently, most grants are to organizations that CCOP has funded for several years. Since funds are limited, we have not been adding new organizations and have discontinued funding for some.

How do we choose recipients? What is their purpose?
The CCOP Social Justice Grants are to fund organizations dedicated to Social Justice through Charity and Empowerment:

Charity – to help people survive, usually by providing necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or refuge. Charity may also be described as “outreach.”

Empowerment - to change the conditions in people’s lives that cause them to need help. The goal of empowerment is to bring about social justice and help transform institutions in society. Empowerment can be achieved at two primary levels:
  • Individual Level - through education, training and grass roots organizing.
  • Societal Level - through changes in legislation or public policy.
 
Are funds allocated by purpose or geography?
The Committee tries to distribute funds based on these Core Purposes as follows:
  1. Charity – 1/3
  2. Empowerment – 1/3
  3. Charity/Empowerment – 1/3

To keep the parish connected to people around the world, funds are distributed to organizations locally and globally. The Committee makes a reasonable effort to allocate most of the funds to organizations in the Tri-Valley and greater San Francisco Bay Area. The approximate goal for geographical distribution of funding is:
  • 30% Tri Valley
  • 30% Bay Area
  • 20% California
  • U.S. 20% International

Who are some of the grantees and what do they do? Can I find out who the recipients are and how much they have received?
The Social Justice Committee reports the list of grant recipients annually to the appropriate parish staff for communication as needed to the parish at large.

How can I get more information?
To request more information about the Social Justice Grants or to recommend worthwhile organizations, please email the Social Justice Committee at: socialjustice@catholicsofpleasanton.org.