|
The Father Michael J. McGivney Memorial Fund
for New Initiatives In Catholic Education
The Father Michael J. McGivney Memorial Fund is an endowed fund established by the Knights of Columbus in 1980 in memory of its founder. NCEA administers this grant program and distributes $100,000 annually from this fund.
With the 2008-09 awards announced in February, 2008, we have completed the three years (2006-2009) which the Knights of Columbus dedicated to new initiatives for Catholic urban and inner-city schools.
Due to the impact of the economic downturn on the funding source, applications will not be accepted for the 2009- 2010 funding cycle. We hope to resume the normal application process the following year.
In February, 2008, the Father Michael J. McGivney Memorial Fund for New Initiatives in Catholic Education awarded grants to six projects, in amounts ranging from $12,000 to $25,000, for a total of $100,000. For descriptions of award-winning projects click here.
August 3, 2006 - Knights of Columbus Calls for School Choice Program
The Knights of Columbus funding of the Father Michael J. McGivney Fund was highlighted in a resolution on school choice adopted by the 124th annual convention of the Knights, which also expressed its support of Catholic schools. For more information, click here.
$300,000 Earmarked to Strengthen Urban Schools
In March, 2005, the Knights of Columbus announced that the Father Michael J. McGivney Memorial Fund would focus on urban and inner-city Catholic schools for three years (2006-2009). The $300,000 gift over the next three years represents an increase over the funding in the recent past. These funds are helping Catholic educators address the critical situation of closing or consolidating schools in urban and inner-city areas.
A Brief History
In memory of Father Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, the Knights established a Fund for New Initiatives in Catholic Education. The annual return on the investment from the Fund has been used by the National Catholic Educational Association for research, projects, and development programs furthering the total mission of Catholic education.
Father McGivney was inspired by the ideals of mutual assistance and fraternity that continue to motivate the organization in our times. He was familiar with hardship, both within his own family and through the families of his parishioners at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. His search for ways to alleviate poverty and provide wholesome support groups led to his meeting with a group of laymen on January 8, 1882 to propose the Knights of Columbus. Since his ordination in 1877, much of Father McGivney’s apostolate had been devoted to working with the parishioners at St. Mary’s through groups such as the Young Men’s Club, the St. Joseph Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society and the “Red Knights,” an offshoot of the famous Irish company of the Connecticut National Guards.
These experiences helped him to shape the Knights of Columbus, which was granted an official charter by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1882. Membership increased rapidly through the establishment of new councils throughout the New England and Middle Atlantic States. Father McGivney guided the order as Supreme Chaplain from 1884 until his death in 1890.
Today the Knights number some 1.7 million members in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Like their founder, who proved himself a tireless leader, they are concerned with providing leadership, support, and resources for continued Church renewal, particularly in the areas of Catholic education and in the fostering of priestly and religious vocations.
In proposing the establishment of the Father Michael J. McGivney Memorial Fund in 1980 at the 98th annual meeting of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant said it “…would serve as an impetus to Catholic education to meet the many challenges to be confronted in the 1980’s and beyond.” Today, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson states: “The Knights of Columbus see the present Fund as a new opportunity in their long record of commitment to Catholic education.”
The undertakings financed by the Fund will be selected by the National Catholic Educational Association, assisted by an advisory panel of bishops and scholars representing both the United States and Canada, and with the concurrence of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors.
Source of the Grants
The grants are funded from the investment income on a principal sum set aside by the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus for this purpose. All grants must be approved by a panel appointed by the Knights of Columbus after they are recommended by the president of NCEA upon the advice of a Proposal Review Committee.
Return to top
|
Purpose of Grants and Eligibility Requirements
|
Eligibility for Grants
Grants are awarded to non-profit institutions and agencies in the United States and Canada. Grants will not be awarded to individuals or to individuals schools.
|
Applying for a McGivney Grant
|
Due to the impact of the economic downturn on the funding source, applications will not be accepted for the 2009- 2010 funding cycle. We hope to resume the normal application process the following year.
Criteria for Evaluation of Proposals
1. Significance of the proposal as it relates to the purpose of the grant:
(Will be updated once the new focus is announced.)
2. Technical quality of the proposal as it relates to:
- analysis of the problem;
- thorough knowledge of relevant previous work in research and practice;
- statement of goals and objectives;
- intended outcome of the project;
- research design, methodology, instrumentation;
- the generalizibility of the results;
- evaluation plan (method of assessment: Who will assess the progress? How and when?)
3. Resource capabilities as they relate to:
- background and experience of principal researcher and professional staff;
- adequacy of facilities and arrangements available for the project;
- willingness of other organizations, groups, individuals to become involved in the project, where appropriate.
4. Performance capability as it relates to:
a. adequacy of the budget;
b. reasonableness of the time line;
c. the method of dissemination (final report, workshops, articles, publications, etc.).
Tips to improve success:
There are many publications and books written about how to write a successful grant and the same guidance is applicable when it comes to the McGivney Fund. Among the points to highlight:
- Be sure that you pay close attention to the criteria as outlined by the Knights on NCEA’s web site.
- Answer the questions! If you need to do so, attach appendices, but length and “padding” are not necessarily helpful as far as the reviewers are concerned!
- Think about how your project can be sustained over time
Notification
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process by NCEA.
Progress and Final Reports
A report on the progress of the project conducted under a grant must be made at the conclusion of each year of the grant. A final report is required within two months of the completion date of the project. Reports are to be forwarded to the Director of the McGivney Fund at NCEA.
Ownership of Material
- All materials purchased and paid for with grant funds shall become the property of NCEA.
- Material developed as a result of the project is the prerogative of NCEA. Publication notices thereafter should carry the credit line: "Funded (or Partially Funded) through the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) by a grant from the Father Michael J. McGivney Memorial Fund for New Initiatives in Catholic Education."
Return to top
|
Timeline and Funding Cycle
|
|
October
|
Nov, Dec
|
Jan
|
February
|
May
|
|
Due date the last Friday in October.
|
Internal review and recommendations made to NCEA President.
|
Recommendations forwarded to Knights of Columbus.
|
Knights of Columbus Board of Directors endorsement. Applicants notified.
|
First check mailed.
|
Acknowledgement is sent when the application is received.
An internal review of proposals by a committee appointed by NCEA’s President is conducted in November and December. Recommendations are submitted to the President for her review and endorsement in January.
Recommended projects are forwarded to the Board of Directors, Knights of Columbus for final approval. NCEA is notified following the winter meeting of the Knights of Columbus.
All applicants are notified of their status in late February or early March.
Checks to cover the grants have usually been forwarded to NCEA by the Knights in installments. Award recipients will be notified when they will receive their grant installments.
For more information or to return an application, contact:
Margaret M. Schultz
Father Michael J. McGivney Fund
National Catholic Educational Association
1077 30th Street, NW – Suite 100
Washington, DC 20007-3852
Phone: (202) 337-6232
Fax: (202) 333-6706
Email: mschultz@ncea.org
Return to top
|
National Catholic Educational Association
