Grant Opportunity from Holy Spirit SVdP Conference
In February 2025, Holy Spirit SVdP Conference of Huntsville, Alabama received a very large gift from the estate of one of their parishioners, John Butas. John grew up as an orphan in Montreal and was taken in by the Daughters of Charity. This gift shows he has never forgotten his heritage. It was John’s wish that this money be spread as widely as possible within the worldwide SVdP family and that each gift be used to help a maximum number of people according to their situation.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences and Councils in the United States have the opportunity to apply for this grant, and funds will be distributed over the next 1-2 years.
Holy Spirit SVdP Conference Board has set up a specific grant protocol for disbursing the funds. Please follow the instructions below:
- Download and fill out this 2-page project application form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14NRWxxenaPUZjVDujkZ9nxwMX2QQMVBZ/view?usp=sharing.
- After downloading and filling out this form, submit it by email to svdp.hsv.hs@gmail.com. Please make sure there is sufficient contact information on the form so you can be reached with questions. Applicants should be in good standing as an SVDP Conference and/or Council and have 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.
- A special committee will then approve or table the submitted project. This special committee was created specifically to review projects and is independent of the Conference Board of Directors.
- The Holy Spirit Conference Board of Directors will then make the final decision, and a check will be placed in the mail if the project is approved.
As you are choosing your projects, please keep in mind that the Holy Spirit Conference’s intent is to honor John Butas and his wishes to choose projects that will help as many people as possible, as opposed to gifts that only help one individual. Holy Spirit Conference leadership wants to consider projects that have a wide impact and create systemic change. From an accounting perspective, consider this a grant request.
Can Councils outside of the Huntsville Alabama area apply for this grant funding?
We are in Northern California and our Board President sent this information to me re: applying for our home for formerly foster youth who were homeless and are now attending college and living in the Home For Success operated by St. Vincent de Paul in Sonoma County.