Bishop's Charitable Assistance Fund

Pictured above: (Right) Andrew Cernota, chair of the BCAF board of directors, visits with Greater Nashua Dental Connection who are committed to improving the dental health and lives of New Hampshire residents.

About the BCAF and Bishop's Summer Reception

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.

The 2025 Bishop’s Summer Reception to benefit the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund (BCAF) will be held on Thursday, September 4, 5:30-8:30 pm, at Trudel House, 657 River Road, Manchester, NH. All donors that contribute $600 or more are invited to attend.

Now in its 40th year, the BCAF has raised and distributed more than $7.8 million to assist organizations that improve the quality of life and provide basic essentials for individuals and families in New Hampshire. Please consider a donation today.

Make a Donation to the BCAF and Register for the Summer Reception

CLICK HERE to make a donation to the BCAF and register for the Summer Reception. All donors that contribute $600 or more are invited to attend. If you would like to mail in a donation, please make the check out to the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund, 153 Ash Street, Manchester, NH 03104. If you have questions, please contact Melanie English at menglish@rcbm.org or (603) 663-0166.

How Your Legacy Can Carry On

Have you ever thought about your legacy? You may faithfully be making annual donations to the charitable organizations important to you and your family, but have you considered what will happen when you are no longer able to make those annual donations?

DOWNLOAD our brochure on Planned Giving

BCAF Grants

Grant Applications

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund is now accepting applications for grants for 2025. 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 or before September 17, 2025. Future dates for grant applications will be announced ASAP.

Grant Recipients

View a list of BCAF grant recipients from October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.

View our 2025 Winter Newsletter

Vita et Caritas Award

The tenth annual Vita et Caritas Award was presented to Julie Ann McCarthy Brown, the Founder and Board Chair of Dismas Home of New Hampshire.

The Vita et Caritas Award is 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.