Contents:  Background; Outcome 2012; Distribution Model; Category Definitions.

Background

With the re-energizing of the Social Justice Ministry in 2007, there has been increasing interest in re-thinking the goals and the distribution process of the Holy Trinity tithe in order to create a more strategic alignment between the tithe and the mission of both Holy Trinity and the Ministry.  The main driver for reconsideration is to increase the impact of the tithe on:

-    root causes of poverty in the community,  
-    parishioner service involvement in the community,
-    spirituality within the Jesuit and Catholic social teaching traditions.  

Though beyond the scope of this planning document, carefully constructed eligibility and evaluative criteria are critical success factors.  Their development  is called for in this plan and they will be developed with input from parish and community organizations and in place for the 2010 grant cycle. 

Outcome 2012  
 
Through prayer, mediation and reflection, the Social Justice Ministry and the parish have grown in their knowledge of who God calls us to be as individuals and as a parish community:   “The most important setting for the Church’s social teaching is….in prayer and worship, especially gathered around the altar for Eucharist.  It is in the liturgy that we find the fundamental direction, motivation and strength for social ministry.”  We continue the journey to grow in this knowledge.

To create a prayer driven ministry that has significant impact on the community, the Social Justice Ministry chooses one or two social justice themes annually as a focus.  Through the distribution of the tithe in large grants and charitable grants and through service projects and advocacy, the Ministry partners with organizations in the community that work primarily in these focus areas.  The partnership includes channeling volunteers to the organizations and inviting the organizations into the parish community to educate on the needs of the community, for charity and for system changes.  

The tithe also continues to support Jesuit and parish organizations that have a long relationship with the parish in education and social service.  Through this partnership the organizations educate the parish community on their service and invite participation in their mission on an ongoing basis.
   
Distribution Model 2010 – 2012
 
In keeping with the Social Justice mission and to increase the impact of the tithe on the root causes of poverty, parishioner service involvement and spirituality, the Social Justice Ministry will implement a three year plan that introduces a new grant category (Investment and Partnership Grants) and progressively over this period changes the allocation of funds to increase impact.
 
Though the amount available will vary from year to year, the financial model for all three years is based on an estimated tithe of $325,000, a 7% reduction from 2009.  The totals would be adjusted (by percentage) based on the actual tithe, generally available late in the first quarter of the calendar year that follows the year the money was collected.  

Year 2010 (tithe = 10% of the ordinary parish contributions for 2009)
    - 50% or $162,500 would be allocated to Category One (Continuing support for Jesuit Organizations and Parish Related Social Justice Activities).  
    - 50% or $162,500 to the remaining two categories – Category Two  (Investment and Partnership Grants- $60,000 or 18% of total tithe) and Category Three (Charitable Grants - $102,500 or 31% of total tithe).  30 charitable grants in Category Three.

Year 2011 (tithe based on the ordinary parish contributions for 2010)
     - 45% or $146,250 for Category One
     - 30% or $97,500 for Category Two
     - 25% or $81,250 for Category Three (25 charitable grants)

Year 2012 (tithe based on the ordinary parish contributions for 2011)
      - 40% or $130,000 for Category One
      -  40% or $130,000 for Category Two
      -  20% or $65,000 for Category Three (20 charitable grants)

At the end of 2012 tithe distribution, the financial model is rebalanced so that the impact of Holy Trinity’s financial investment in the community, one of the goals of this plan, has substantially increased through larger grants to a few organizations (Category Two).  

Category Definitions

International Partnership and Parish Sponsored Social Justice Activities (Category One)

Holy Trinity is a Jesuit parish with a strong tradition of supporting education and Jesuit social services, nationally and internationally.  This category will continue one year grants to organizations related to Jesuit and parish social justice activities.  

Lead:  Pastoral Associate for Social Justice.

Investment and Partnership (Category Two)

Substantial grant(s) that address homeless and housing issues, with particular attention to the needs of children and families, will be the focus of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 cycles.  After the three years another focus may be identified.  The grants can be unrestricted funds for overall program support or dedicated funding for specific programs, organization capacity building or leadership and management development.  The grants will be a single year commitment to an organization, project or program. Grantees in Categories One and Three are eligible to apply for grants in Category Two. The grant(s) will initiate a partnership between the organization and Holy Trinity in which each party actively participates in each other’s programs.

Lead:  Committee of three to five parishioners with Lead appointed by the Social Justice Executive Committee.  The Committee is responsible for investigation of the housing and homeless environment, application and review processes as well as continuing oversight and partnership development.

Charitable Grants  (Category Three)

Charitable grants are small grants to non-profits to further their missions to serve and advocate for the poor and marginalized in the Washington DC community.  Organizations that deliver service or advocacy that have substantial impact on the target population and a historical connection to Holy Trinity-related social justice efforts and to the tithing program can be considered. Organizations must meet established criteria and demonstrate the impact of their service.  Overall the grants are evaluative through criteria, but non-competitive.  

The charitable grants convey Holy Trinity’s appreciation of the organization’s mission and work in the community and Holy Trinity’s desire to continue the partnership, a mutually beneficial relationship. Holy Trinity Social Justice Ministry ensures proper stewardship of the funds allocated through active participation in the on-going partnership. The grants are unrestricted funds that may be used as the organization sees fit to further its mission, with emphasis on leadership development, capacity building and special projects.  

Lead:  Chairs appointed annually by the Social Justice Executive Committee.

For further information or comments:  htsocialjustice@gmail.com

Approved Social Justice Ministry Executive Committee, 11/5/2009
Approved Mark Horak S.J., 11/10/2009
Approved SJ Ministry Meeting 11/19/2009
Presented to Pastoral Council 12/1/2009