CCHD National Collection Date: November 15-16, 2025
“CCHD’s mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. This is achieved through your generosity during an annual second collection!”
Working on the Margins
The grant cycle will reopen January 2, 2026
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CCHD Mission
CCHD’s mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. Its pastoral strategy is empowerment of the poor through a methodology of participation and education for justice, leading toward solidarity between poor and non-poor as impelled by the Church’s biblical tradition, modern Catholic social teaching, and the pervasive presence of poverty in the US. This ministry for justice is rooted in our baptism and faith commitment.
We invite you to be a part of this social mission of the Church.
Parishes interested in advocating for CCHD may visit the USCCB website for additional resources.
About CCHD
Created in 1970, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the US Catholic Bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ “… to bring good news to the poor … release to the captives … sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18). Funds collected in support of this initiative will assist programs working with our brothers and sisters living in poverty by providing them opportunities to break the poverty cycle through decision making that affects their lives, families, and communities. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, CCHD educates on the causes of poverty and addresses them through advocacy.
CCHD is made possible by the generosity of Catholics in the US in the annual parish collection held in November. After each collection, 75% of the funds are sent to the National Office to support nationally funded groups, while 25% remain in the diocese for locally supported groups. The collection also supports the mission to promote Catholic Social Teaching throughout the diocese.
Two Feet of Love in Action
CCHD recognizes that there are two different but complementary ways that we can walk the path of love, or caritas. We call these the “Two Feet of Love in Action,” based on Pope Benedict XVI’s reflections in Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) and Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth).
Social Justice: The left foot’s goal is to remove root causes of social injustice and improve the structures that negatively affect individuals and their families. Examples include working to improve the local education system, supporting environmental laws, participating in living wage campaigns, and promoting peace.
Charitable Works: The right foot’s goal is to meet the basic needs of individuals. Examples include volunteering at homeless shelters, tutoring children, donating food to pantries, sponsoring a refugee family, and participating in community beautification projects.
Due to the generosity of parishioners and CCHD supporters, the Diocese of Dallas has funds available for local grants. We are looking for organizations and/or parish ministries who:
- Address the poverty cycle
- Educate on the effects of living in poverty
- Directly serve people in poverty embodying Catholic Social Teaching
Local grants are available in amounts ranging from $1,000 – $5,000.
To qualify for a local grant, an organization must have 503(c)1 status, be non-partisan, not contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and be within the Diocese of Dallas. Priority will be given to organizations that give a decision making voice to those living in poverty and benefiting from the program.
The grant cycle will reopen January 2, 2026
CCHD Community Development grants from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops range between $25,000 and $75,000. Community Development grants support efforts that demonstrate a commitment to the dignity of the human person. CCHD funded groups are led by people living in poverty and work to address the root causes of poverty by nurturing solidarity between the poor and non-poor and facilitating the participation of people living in poverty in decisions that perpetuate poverty in the lives. As part of such efforts, low-income people gain the ability to identify barriers, brainstorm solutions, and take action to change problematic structures and systems in their communities.
For more information about eligibility and Diocesan endorsements, please contact Kevin Prevou at [email protected] or (214) 379 – 2848 or Alejandra Highers at [email protected] or (214) 379-3196.
2025 CCHD Local Grant Recipients
Under My Umbrella is a locally funded group that protects, advocates, and interacts directly with the homeless by serving their needs. The CCHD supports its grassroots efforts within the homeless camps of Dallas and their provision of necessities given to the unhoused individuals.
St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy is a locally funded charity that provides medication at no cost to the uninsured, low-income families of North Texas. CCHD supports their goal of serving more patients, especially in the area of mental health and high cholesterol medicine purchases.
Baylor Scott & White Foundation raises awareness and philanthropic support for initiatives across Baylor Scott & White to enhance patient care and create healthier communities as a not-for-profit healthcare system. CCHD supports their Street Medicine Program and Ultrasound Access Initiative that provides essential healthcare to the unsheltered homeless.
Dallas Furniture Bank is a locally funded group that fosters independence and dignity by providing furniture to families and individuals transitioning from homelessness. CCHD supports their Beds4Kidz program that provides new mattresses, beds, linens, cribs, and playpens to newly-housed families, hospitals, and agencies to serve new mothers and safe sleeping for children.
Bella House provides faith-based residences for homeless, pregnant women. They offer a safe haven where enriching programs inspire transformation and brighter futures for mothers and their children. CCHD supports their efforts in alleviating the hurdles impoverished mothers have and provide car seats and pack and plays to keep newborns in the Dallas community safe, these two items are of the highest priority for our moms in need.
One Man’s Treasure is a locally funded group seeking to empower men recently released from Texas state prisons who come to the Dallas and Fort Worth area by providing them with clothing and opportunities for networking. CCHD supports their goal to purchase more items of critical need to ensure each client has a complete set of clothing.
In My Shoes walks alongside pregnant women experiencing homelessness and restore them to the life God created them to live. They provide safe housing, holistic support, and a committed community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to pregnant and parenting women with no place to turn. CCHD supports the Summer Mission Staff team members who live in the home to support our full-time Mission Staff, moms, and babies to support and empower the women to break the cycle of poverty, focusing on the vocation of motherhood.
St. Mary Malankara is a Catholic parish in Dallas, Texas. CCHD supports their project to serve the community by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and effectively reach individuals in need of food assistance by implementing a variety of outreach strategies that address both immediate needs and foster community connections.
Our Lady of Angels is a Catholic parish in Allen, Texas. CCHD supports their Guardian Angel Financial Assistance Ministry that assists neighbors who are experiencing a temporary financial crisis. The ministry assists with rent to prevent eviction and utility payments to prevent water, electricity, or gas from being cut off and has helped adults who missed work due to illness, senior citizens, domestic violence victims getting back on their feet, and many more.
Holy Family of Nazareth—St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic parish in Irving, Texas and a conference of Society of St. Vincent de Paul. CCHD supports Society’s mission to help the needy with housing, food and other miscellaneous household expenses.
St. Ann is a Catholic parish in Coppell, Texas. CCHD supports their mission to the Texas/Mexico border to serve the poor, the forgotten, and the spiritually hungry in the communities of Laredo. These areas are often marked by extreme poverty, limited infrastructure, and immense spiritual need.
Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic parish in Dallas, Texas. CCHD supports their project of ensuring safer access for people with limited mobility by providing safer and more accessible entryways and facilities for individuals with limited mobility when attending church services.