Catholic Racial Justice Fund

The Catholic Racial Justice Coalition (CRJC) of the Twin Cities works collaboratively to build just relationships, heal the wounds created by racism and discrimination, and contribute to ending racial injustice within our communities and collective Catholic organizations. The CRJC’s grantmaking goal is to be a catalyst for and supporter of local racial justice initiatives involving the Catholic community in the Twin Cities. 

Delegates from each coalition member have formed a working group that acts as an advisory committee for this fund. The advisory committee oversees the grantmaking process and evaluates applications.

 

 

See below for grant guidelines and the application form.

About the CRJC

The CRJC was founded in the summer of 2020. A working group of designates from each coalition member organization began meeting regularly in January 2021 with the understanding that together we can do more to promote racial justice than we can alone. Since then, we have cross-promoted racial justice events and offerings among coalition members and launched a Facebook page to communicate offerings to the general public. We’re now in the process of organizing two community events.

How We Do Our Work

  • Gather around our shared beliefs to discern how we can use our institutional power and privilege to work in solidarity with our brothers and sisters most impacted by racial injustice
  • Convene the broader community through our organizations’ relationships for opportunities to change hearts and minds
  • Be a resource for individuals and communities to get connected with local education and action
  • Support local efforts that align with our mission and values

For Grantseekers

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The CRJC Advisory Committee will vet and review new applications at each monthly meeting. Notifications of awards or denials will be sent shortly thereafter.

Grants can be awarded only to churches or 501(c)(3) public charities/nonprofit organizations, not individuals. Organizations receiving grants may re-apply for a new project but not for the same project. Priority will be given to new organizations. 

CRJC Members

Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities

Leadership: 
Michael Goar, President and Chief Executive Officer

Working Group Representative:
Michael Rios-Keating,* Social Justice Education Manager
*Coordinator, CRJC

Catholic Community Foundation of MN

Leadership:
Anne Cullen Miller, President

Working Group Representative:
Meg Payne Nelson, Vice President of Impact

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Leadership:
Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Working Group Representative:
Fr. Daniel Griffith, Rector, Basilica of St. Mary

GHR Foundation

Leadership:
Amy Goldman, Chief Executive Officer and Chair

Working Group Representative:
Kevin Bennett, Senior Program Officer

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Leadership:
Fr. James Burns, President

Working Group Representative: 
Marisa Naryka, Vice President for Mission and Student Affairs

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Executive Leadership Appointee:
Sr. Susan Hames, CSJ

Working Group Representatives:
Marty Roers, Justice Director
Mary Noble, Consociate

St. Catherine University

Leadership:
Becky Roloff, President

Working Group Representatives:
Sr. Sharon Howell, Director of the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice
Dr. Steven Kenny, Jr., Senior VP of HR, Equity and Inclusion

University of St. Thomas

Leadership:
Robert Vischer, President

Working Group Representative:
Fr. Christopher Collins, Vice President of Mission

For Donors

Grow the impact of the Catholic Racial Justice Coalition by donating any dollar amount to the CJRC Fund.

Contribute Now

Have Questions?

GET IN TOUCH

Meg Payne Nelson
Vice President of Impact
651-389-0882
Email Meg