The Spreading the Good News Grants

Empowering the marketing and communications programs of the Catholic Charities Agency Federation

In an effort to empower the agencies of the Catholic Charities Federation – no matter their size – Catholic Charities developed the Spreading the Good News Grants. These grants, announced in April 2010 support the marketing and communications efforts of Catholic Charities agencies. Applicants competed for grants between $5,000 and $25,000 from a total grant pool of $200,000.

Twenty-seven of the 35 agencies that submitted proposals for funding received grants, with an average award of approximately $7,000.

Congratulations to the 2010 grant recipients! Watch this section for updates about these exciting agency initiatives, and about the 2011 Spreading the Good News Grants.

__________________________________________________

2010 Good News Grants Awardees:

Abraham House
Project Goals: Website enhancement and 1st time Annual Report publication

Cardinal Hayes Home for Children
Project Goals: Production and distribution of a 70th anniversary promotional video.

Cardinal McCloskey Services
Project Goals: Increase public awareness of the services provided by Cardinal McCloskey Services with the goal of increasing their donor base and subscribers to various newsletter and online distribution of materials.  The project includes a rebranding consultant, PR consultant and acquisition mailing list rental.

Casita Maria
Project Goals: Development and implementation of a new website with the goal of increasing the agency’s ability to offer bilingual program information, support an alumni group, promote events and allow constituents to actively participate in the agency’s community.

Catholic Big Sisters and Big Brothers
Project Goals: Development of a comprehensive marketing plan including updated marketing materials, an improved website and a social media marketing strategy.

Catholic Community Services of Orange County
Project Goals: Broader distribution of multi-lingual brochures and multi-media presentations to increase awareness of services and improvement of the website to allow more interactive functions

Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau
Project Goals: Extension of the agency’s recent re-branding efforts to include website redesign, design and distribution of media kits (brochures for service areas), agency calendars and a media campaign to support international adoption including ads, brochures and postcards)
 

Encore Community Services
Project Goals: Implementation of a new and comprehensive marketing/communication/fundraising online strategy including redesign of website to be more “donor-friendly” and “intuitive” and creation of an e-mail messaging program to communicate newsletters and event/action alerts.

Good Counsel
Project Goals: Design and printing of 25th anniversary annual report to be used in conjunction with other anniversary events and distributed to current and potential donors.

Good Shepherd Services
Project Goals: Writing/design/printing and distribution of 2010 annual report

Grace Institute
Project Goals: Digital ad campaign that would run a 30 second PSA on digital advertising screens in locations throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.  The grant request is based on the campaign running 13 months – 28 days/month – 8 “spots” per hour – 12 hours/day

Greater Chinatown Community Association
Project Goals: Creation of the “I’m a Big Fan of Chinatown” marketing campaign including promotional material, website enhancement and video production.

Agency: Highbridge Community Life Center
Project Goals: Carry out the suggestions from the 2007 brand and marketing strategic plan including development of a multi-purpose brochure providing information about the agency and the publication of a formal Annual Report.

Agency:  Jeanne d’Arc Residence
Project Goals: Creation of a dedicated agency website (agency’s current online presence is through a link on the Congregation of Divine Providence website.  A dedicated website would allow for alumni contact and participation and facilitate donations.

Agency:  Leviticus Alternative Fund
Project Goals: Targeted parish based advertising campaign that will run in 10 parish bulletins for a 52 week cycle.  Grant is for ad expenses only as the ad will be created “in house”.

Agency: Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services
Project Goals: Design of two publications: 2010 Annual Report and a Mission Handbook insert to the annual report

Agency: Mercy Center, Inc.
Project Goals: 20th anniversary marketing campaign including logo and website redesign, promotional material (flyers and brochures), newsletters and cultivation events.

Agency: Nativity Mission Center
Project Goals: Marketing strategy celebrating the agency’s 40th anniversary.  Strategy includes work with a consultant to design the marketing plan, design and produce an annual report and upgrade the agency website and e-communications system.

Agency: Nazareth Housing
Project Goals: Increase public awareness of the agency’s work through re-branding, development of an e-newsletter and promotional brochures and production of an annual report.

Agency: New Hope Manor
Project Goals: Three projects aimed at increasing awareness of the agency and its services: Promotional Video for use in personal presentations – Promotional Brochures to replace current flyers – Web site development and maintenance.

Agency: The New York Foundling
Project Goals: Writing/design/printing and distribution of 2010 annual report

Agency: Part Of The Solution (POTS)
Project Goals: Development of a “Street Sheet” describing the agency’s services to the community that it serves

Agency: Pax Christi Metro New York
Project Goals: Marketing and communications upgrades and translation in order to share more effectively reach out to the youth and Spanish speakers in the community.  Projects include translation of marketing material, website upgrade and e-communication upgrade.  Required material is also included (new computer and software)

Agency: RSHM Life Center
Project Goals: Increase visibility and better market to community members, potential funders and potential clients.  Projects include upgrading the website to include program news and allow online donations a direct mail campaign to raise awareness in the community and solicit funds.

Agency: St. Cabrini Home
Project Goals: Update agency website to provide more meaningful and timely information to students and their families, staff, volunteers and the public.

Agency: St. Dominic’s Home
Project Goals: Raise general awareness of the agency’s foster care program in the Bronx, attract a minimum of 100 potential new foster parents in the Bronx in one year, secure 10-20 media placements and increase traffic to the agency website.  This project fulfill the requirements outlined in the agency’s ACS contract (reaching out to new neighborhoods in the Bronx).

Agency: Thorpe Family Residence
Project Goals: Keep current funders and donors better informed about agency programs and services and reach new donors through the development of new print and online materials and social networking.