Bishop's Charitable Assistance Fund

About the BCAF

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund is a not-for-profit organization within the Catholic Church in New Hampshire. The Fund enables the Bishop of Manchester, through a board of directors, to make grants to not-for-profit organizations without regard to religious affiliation for projects that help people in New Hampshire meet their basic needs. Volunteer lay men and women, who serve as Directors, make recommendations to the Bishop of Manchester for grants with an emphasis on meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, heat and other necessities. The grants go to organizations in New Hampshire whose mission and operations are consistent with the mission of the Roman Catholic Church.

Left to right: Deacon Frank Ottaviano, recipient of the 2019 Vita et Caritas Award; his wife, Margaret; Bishop Libasci; and the 2019 BCAF co-chairs, Lisa and Alex Walker.

BCAF Reception

On Thursday, September 5, Bishop Libasci hosted approximately 380 guests at the Summer Reception for the Bishop's Charitable Assistance Fund, held this year on the grounds of St. Pius X Parish in Manchester. The Summer Reception, held annually, marked the end of another successful campaign for the BCAF, which this year raised some $240,000 that will be distributed during the coming year to non-profit agencies that help meet the needs of the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens throughout the state. This is the highest amount raised since the 2001 campaign. Bishop Libasci also presented the 5th annual Vita et Caritas Award to Deacon Frank Ottaviano, Assistant Chaplain, at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester.  With the award, a $2,500 grant was presented to the Wilson Street Integrated Health which is a service of the Health Care for the Homeless Program of Manchester, a collaboration between CMC and the Manchester Health Department.

See Photo Gallery (Photography by Charlene Graham)

Make a Donation and Buy Tickets

Make a donation to the BCAF using the PayPal button below. If you have questions or would like to become a sponsor of the reception, please contact Melanie English at menglish@rcbm.org or (603) 663-0166.

BCAF Grants

Grant Applications

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund is now accepting applications for grants for 2019. The BCAF gives preference to tax-exempt organizations that assist with basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing and home heating. Guidelines and instructions on how to apply are available through the BCAF grant application form.

The board meets quarterly to review grant applications. If your organization is interested in applying for a grant we need your request on September 18, 2019, December 11, 2019, February 26, 2020, or April 22, 2020.

Grant Recipients

View a list of BCAF grant recipients from October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019.

View our 2019 BCAF Newsletter

Vita et Caritas Award

Apply now for the Vita et Caritas Award presented to a non-profit organization’s volunteer who makes significant contributions to the organization. This award, which includes a grant to the organization, honors the memory of Ruthie Ford, whose life reflected tireless dedication to service to help women, children and families. Read more about the Vita Caritas Award.

Board of Directors

The BCAF has a volunteer board of directors that is responsible for both raising funds and reviewing and approving grant applications.