Grants

Applicant Requirements

• Applicants must be congregations of Catholic women and men religious in the United States
• Grant projects must primarily benefit members age 70+
• A congregation is eligible to submit one grant application per year
• All final reports from previous grant awards must be completed and submitted before applying for new funding opportunities
• An NRRO Retirement Needs Analysis from the USCCB National Religious Retirement Office is required with every application

What We Fund

We prioritize funding projects that enhance the safety and quality of life for retired, elderly, or infirm women and men religious in the United States. Examples include:

• Technology equipment or upgrades
• Adaptive furniture designed for aging populations
• Therapy or medical equipment
• Accessible vehicles
• Improved lighting or sound systems
• Automatic doors
• Backup generators
• Security systems
• Programs that support members with dementia or mental health concerns
• Professional assessments or consultation services that support future planning for congregations

What We Do Not Fund

SOAR! is unable to fund projects that fall outside our mission. These include:

• Projects that primarily benefit individuals who are not aging nor infirm religious members
• Congregations located outside of the United States
• Ongoing living expenses (e.g., rent, utilities, food)
• Individual medical costs (e.g. eyeglasses, hearing aids)
• Contributions to retirement or pension funds
• Operating costs
• Capital campaigns
• Large-scale projects lacking full funding, if other sources have not been secured