Grant Criteria

The Common Good Foundation welcomes grant applications from organisations, community groups, and parishes (individual Catholic churches). Grants are available from two pathways: Parish Grants and Community Grants. Grant criteria is outlined below.

Parish Grants

These grants are for individual Catholic church communities for the needs of those most vulnerable within the parish and wider community.

We believe that there are concerned parishioners throughout the Diocese who may already see a need or who are already offering some support to others. We want them to come forward if needed to seek financial help from the Foundation to allow them to continue serving the common good.

Grants can cover costs such as petrol, food, clothing, hire of hall and/or equipment. A copy of the receipts is required for accountability purposes. The Foundation would also cover the cost of wages, but not the purchase of assets nor support health-related issues. Please note that Parish-based Initiatives are prioritised in the allocation of funds.

For Parish grants, please use the Parish Charities Commission number when filling in the application, and provide a supporting note from your Parish Priest with other additional documents listed in the application form.

APPLY FOR A PARISH GRANT HERE

Community Grants

We welcome applications from community groups and organisations for projects and initiatives.

The 2025 areas of focus for the Common Good Foundation are:

Improving the lives of vulnerable people
Families (safety, violence-free, basic needs)
Social Housing (homeless, advocacy)
Elderly (grandparents raising grandkids, loneliness)
Supporting development toward independence and autonomy
Promoting social justice

What we don't fund

Applications requesting funding for any of the following will not be considered by the Common Good Foundation:

Individuals
Individual scholarships or development
Fixed assets or purchases, capital projects, sports equipment
International travel
Medical treatment
Government agencies, schools, sports organisations, arts organisations

APPLY FOR A COMMUNITY GRANT HERE

We are all called to live a "firm and persevering determination to the common good"

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Where do we fund?

We welcome grant applications from organisations, community groups, and parishes (individual Catholic churches) who are doing good within the geographical area of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton.

Grants are typically between $1,500 - $10,000 each and are available through two pathways: Parish Grants and Community Grants.

*Applicants need to serve within the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton area or be a parish like those highlighted