CCUSA announces $2.5M Innovation Challenge

Social Enterprise and Workforce Development

September 30, 2022

ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 30, 2022 — Sister Donna Markham OP, PhD, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), announced a new CCUSA Innovation Challenge this week during CCUSA’s Annual Gathering in Baltimore. With a total award of $2.5 million to nine agencies, the latest Challenge seeks to inspire member agencies within the Catholic Charities network to propose a fresh workforce development–specific solution toward alleviating or reducing poverty.

“In 2020, we were inspired by the innovation and creativity that Catholic Charities agencies demonstrated during the first Innovation Challenge, with its focus on moving clients out of poverty,” said Sister Donna. “For the second challenge, I wanted to focus on workforce development programs, which foster the sustainable economic security of communities and help individuals reach their full potential.”

Agencies grouped into three size categories based on the number of full-time employees will submit proposals to CCUSA. The proposals must recommend new and innovative approaches rather than expand upon current programs.
The application deadline for the CCUSA Innovation Challenge is Friday, February 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To learn more about the CCUSA Innovation Challenge please visit CCUSAInnovates.org.