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.

2025 Bishop’s Summer Reception

The 2025 Bishop’s Summer Reception to benefit the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund (BCAF) welcomed 195 guests to the Trudel House, Bishop Libasci’s residence, on September 4. Thanks to the generosity of the attendees, more than $160,000 was raised to assist the BCAF in its grant-making efforts in New Hampshire!

In its capacity as a not-for-profit organization within the Catholic Church in New Hampshire, the BCAF 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 New Hampshire organizations whose mission and operations are consistent with the mission of the Roman Catholic Church.

Now in its 40th year, the BCAF has raised and distributed nearly $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

CLICK HERE to make a donation to the BCAF. 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.

Click on our Benefactor's, Patrons' and Sponsors' logos below to visit their websites.

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 2026. 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 December 12, 2025, February 25, 2026, or April 29, 2026. 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 11th annual Vita et Caritas Award was presented to Kay and Dick Doyle, coordinators of the St. Jude Parish Food Pantry in Londonderry.

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.