FAQs

Does McAuley Ministries fund only Catholic organizations?

No, all nonprofit organizations addressing a critical community need or opportunity in the Hill District, Uptown, or West Oakland are eligible for funding. However, funded programs must comply with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

My organization does not have 501(c)(3) designation. May I still apply?

Yes, but a 501(c)(3) organization must act as your fiscal sponsor and, if funded, must be willing to sign the grant agreement and administer the grant. As the project director, you will also be asked to sign the grant agreement.

When can I apply for funding?

Outreach and Program Sustainability Grants are awarded in June for the Spring Grant Cycle and October for the Summer Grant Cycle. If you are targeting a specific grant cycle, please note the application deadlines published on the website. Applications are accepted at any time during the application window. We require applicants to contact us prior to submitting an application.

Major Grants are by invitation only. Organizations interested in exploring a Major Grant must first meet with Marisol. Following that conversation, Marisol will provide guidance on next steps and invite a letter of inquiry, if appropriate. Letters of inquiry are reviewed annually by the Board in March and considered based on the Board’s priority focus areas.

What size grants are available?

Grant size is determined by the scope of the project and availability of funds.
Outreach grants will typically range between $10,000-$100,000.
Sustainability grants will typically range between $100,000-$500,000.
Major grants will typically range between $500,000 and $2,000,000.

Are there any governance requirements my organization must meet to be eligible for funding?

Organizations can have a board of any size; however, those in which the President/CEO also serves as the Board Chair/Chairperson will not be considered for funding.

Why have you chosen to focus only on the Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland? Certainly, other neighborhoods have critical needs.

We chose to focus on the neighborhoods of the Mercy Corridor, which have hosted the health care ministries of the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh. We also recognize that our funds are limited. By focusing our grantmaking on these specific neighborhoods, we believe we will have the potential to assist our neighbors in making positive and sustained improvements in the community.

Does McAuley Ministries fund programs that do not operate in the Mercy Corridor?

No. Programs must either have a physical presence in the Mercy Corridor (Hill District, Uptown, or West Oakland) or be managing a program that operates with a physical presence in one of these neighborhoods. Programs must be intentionally designed to serve Mercy Corridor residents. One-time events or programs that only serve individuals from the area do not qualify.

My organization is based outside your designated service area, but we’re interested in expanding our programs or services to benefit the communities you support, do I qualify for funding?

Your organization may qualify for funding from McAuley Ministries, if in addition to serving residents in our communities, your project operates in strong partnership with organizations within our geographic footprint and include clear implementation plans with measurable outcomes for our Mercy Corridor specifically.

Will McAuley Ministries fund operating expenses?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations are on the front lines, working with individuals and communities to address the issues that impact the health of families and neighborhoods. These organizations must have the internal capacity to be effective. Grants are available for operational support to organizations that have a demonstrated track record of delivering results.

Will McAuley Ministries fund technology, such as computers and information software?

Yes, we believe that technology provides an opportunity for organizations to increase their efficiency and effectiveness.

Will McAuley Ministries fund capital projects?

Yes, we will consider capital requests. However, McAuley Ministries will evaluate capital projects on a case-by-case basis to determine if the project is strategically aligned with our priorities.

My organization has an emergency situation and is looking for funding support.  Can McAuley Ministries assist?

McAuley Ministries can provide emergency funding up to $10,000.  To request emergency funding, please submit a letter to the Executive Director explaining the need.  Emergency requests are considered at any time.  Approval typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Will you inform us as to why our proposal was declined?

We will send you a letter outlining the primary reason your proposal was declined. Please note that we receive many excellent, well-written proposals recommending important work in the community. Since, we can only fund a small percentage of all requests, our decisions are based on how well your need fits with our current focus and the degree of community impact.  If you receive a declination letter, we encourage you to talk to our Executive Director to better understand the reason for the declination and identify possible next steps.

If my organization is awarded a grant, do we have to reapply for future funding?

Yes, you must reapply. Please contact the executive director before starting the application process for continuation funding. McAuley Ministries has a specific renewal application form for qualified applicants. The requested information will focus on results from the previous grant, lessons learned, and any changes planned in your program design and metrics. If you are applying for a new or different project, you should use the outreach & sustainability grant processes.

May I donate to McAuley Ministries?

We appreciate your generosity, but McAuley Ministries does not accept donations. You may consider a gift to Pittsburgh Mercy through its development office, which can be reached at 412-323-4521 or Development@pittsburghmercy.org. You may also consider a gift to one of our community partners. Please see Grants Awarded for a list of organizations and projects supported by McAuley Ministries.

Whom should I contact for grant requests and other questions?

Please contact Marisol Valentin, executive director, at 412-578-6223 or at MValentin@mcauleyministries.org.