MANCHESTER – The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund is directing all grants this quarter to organizations in New Hampshire that are directly involved in the response to COVID-19 via the new Bishop’s Crisis Relief Emergency Fund.

The Bishop’s Crisis Relief Emergency Fund will distribute at least $100,000 in emergency grants over the next two months. The BCAF is also waiving the requirement that organizations not apply if they have received funding within the same calendar year or have received funding for the last three consecutive years. All eligible organizations involved in COVID-19 relief efforts are welcome to apply no matter when they last received a grant from the BCAF.

The fund is now accepting applications for grants to be awarded in May. Applicants should submit a completed form and all required information no later than close of business on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Information and an online application are available on the Diocesan website: catholicnh.org/BCAF or https://form.jotform.com/RCBM/crisis-relief.

The BCAF accepts applications from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in New Hampshire, without regard to religious affiliation, for projects that help people in New Hampshire meet their basic needs.

The BCAF is operated by a volunteer lay board of directors who make recommendations to the Bishop of Manchester for grants to any organization in New Hampshire whose mission is consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and who meet the grant guidelines. The Fund raises money through donations from individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.

If you would like to contribute to the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund, visit www.catholicnh.org/bcaf.