Event Overview

Recently, members of the Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) of the Catholic Community Foundation convened at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. The gathering featured presentations from twelve applicant groups—six from diocesan ministries and six community nonprofits—seeking funding for their initiatives in 2025.

Grant Distribution

This year, a total of $96,000 was allocated to various organizations as part of the grant program. Notable grants in the diocesan category included:

• St. Agatha-St. Aloysius Parish Hunger Center: $17,000
• Ministry to the Incarcerated: $15,000
• Camp Happiness: $13,000

In the community organization category, the recipients included:

• Malachi House: $17,000
• Fill This House: $15,000
• Womankind: $13,000

Additionally, six other finalists received grants of $1,000 each, helping further support various causes.

Highlighted Projects

Sister Mary Jean Raymond, coordinator for the Hunger Center, discussed the significant increase in food and shelter requests in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood, with weekly demands up by 25%. The grant will aid in expanding their services through increased food purchases, utility assistance, and enhanced operational hours.

Marilyn Scott, director of Camp Happiness, shared insights into the program’s vision, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026. Located on the CPL campus, the camp provides inclusive summer programming for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities, featuring numerous adaptive activities.

The Ministry to the Incarcerated is actively engaging with over 400 volunteers who visit state prisons and juvenile facilities, ensuring that inmate needs are met while providing essential support for those transitioning back to society.

Community Support Initiatives

Fill This House aims to enhance the self-esteem of youth aging out of foster care by supplying them with essential household items and support, including prayer and community resources. Meanwhile, Malachi House offers compassionate end-of-life care, focusing on providing terminally ill individuals with dignified support during their final days.

Womankind plays a crucial role in offering prenatal services to uninsured women, including counseling, baby supplies, and referrals for further assistance with healthcare and parenting support.

Reflections and Future Goals

During the pitch presentations, a WGC member remarked on the difficulty of selecting from such deserving causes, illustrating the impactful nature of the work presented. Mary Lou Ozimek, assistant executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation, expressed gratitude for the group’s generosity, indicating the meaningful contributions these grants will make.

Co-founders Diane Fusco and Maria Ruddock reiterated the group’s commitment to understanding the needs of local Catholic ministries and nonprofits, aiming to foster fellowship among women of faith while driving substantive change in their communities.