The Special Needs Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls exists to serve those in Eastern South Dakota with Special Needs and those who support them. Our hope is to raise awareness for those with disabilities in our Diocese and to provide religious education services in both our parishes and schools. We aim to educate the hearts of all clergy, staff, volunteers, and parishioners to the beauty that awaits them in each unique individual we serve. It is our desire to aid our parishes and schools in serving those with Special Needs in order to live out the gospel as Christ has laid out for us.

This grant funding is not intended to be a single source, but rather, to help cover additional costs incurred to make it feasible for a child or children with special needs to be included in religious education. Namely, funding will not be provided for customary enrollment/tuition fees nor will funding be provided for staffing salaries or expenses. Additionally, the need for funding must be affiliated with a faith formation program; i.e., Catholic school, religious education, activities related to a faith formation program, and the like.

All grants must be submitted between September 1 – November 1. Your grant will be reviewed by a board and you will be notified by November 15. if your grant request was approved.

Requests shall be submitted using this application form. School principals must complete the application for all Catholic School related requests. The parish Director of Religious Education or parish priest must complete the application for all Religious Education-related requests. All Grants must be submitted no later than November 1. Please answer questions specifically, thoroughly, and completely to clarify the need for funding and to support your request. The Special Needs Ministry Board shall review the applications and recommend acceptance/rejection. The board may request an interview of the appropriate parties associated with the request during the review process. The Office of Special Needs will inform the principal/director of religious education/parish  priest, of the acceptance/rejection of the request via email. For approved grants, progress reports will be required. Dates of submission for these reports will be included in the award letter. If your grant request is accepted, you will be asked to purchase the item being funded and submit a receipt for reimbursement to the Special Needs Ministry. Items will be reimbursed within a two-week time  frame.

NOTE: Not all applications are funded, nor are all awarded applications funded at the maximum or requested level. Applications must be submitted on an annual basis. Successive grants are not guaranteed.

SUPPORTING DATA AND RATIONAL: Please answer the following questions regarding your financial request. Please include pertinent and specific information for each question.

It is the privilege of the Special Needs Ministry to award grant money to those with Special Needs within our Diocese. We are confident that resources purchased through this grant will be used to benefit the named students above and we look forward to hearing of their progress and success. In May we will send out a follow up form so we can see the fruit that this grant has produced for your students. Upon approval of a grant, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to complete and th return the follow up form no later than May 15.