The Catholic Foundation of North Georgia recently announced that applications for the spring grant cycle will be accepted through March 31.

The mission of the Catholic Foundation is to enhance the long-term financial stability of the Catholic community in North Georgia by diligently building, effectively managing and carefully granting philanthropic assets. Grants are restricted to the metropolitan Atlanta community and to entities in the geographic area of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

The foundation focuses its support on issues vital to the Catholic community including children and youth services, community development, education and literacy, health and sciences, human services and religion.

According to the Catholic Foundation board chairman, Clarence Smith, the foundation approved several grants during the last cycle, which ended in November.

One proposal was brought to the group by Deacon Ray Egan, who requested a grant to be used for surveying and mapping historic Catholic cemeteries located in outlying areas of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The board approved the sum of $10,000. The foundation also approved $30,000 for the Archdiocese of Atlanta Eucharistic Congress for marketing and sponsorship materials to help a volunteer-driven sponsorship committee to create a more self-sufficient event in 2009. Catholic Charities asked for funds regarding Teenquest, a new program that addresses the problems of immigrant children and their families. The grant award of $10,000 was awarded for a Web site and blog for immigrant teens. The board also awarded $15,000 to Our Lady of the Assumption School, Atlanta, for assistance with funding a new roof. Post Abortion Treatment and Healing, known as PATH, requested money for community education, Web site and materials development, and scholarships to “Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats,” which help with healing and reconciliation. The foundation approved a total of $10,000. Southern Catholic College, Dawsonville, requested scholarship funding for Hispanic and Latino students and was awarded $10,000.

Applications and guidelines are available by contacting Mary Ellen Cenzalli at mcenzalli@cfnga.org or (404) 497-9440. For further information, contact Nancy Coveny, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia, at (404) 497-9440.