Seeds of Faith Grants

The History of Seeds of Faith

Our Catholic faith is universal – one teaching, one Church and one Body of Christ. From cradle to grave each of us learns of and experiences this faith most immediately and intimately in our local parish. The Bishop, as teacher of the faith, has the responsibility to assure that lifelong formation is a priority in the parishes and that the faithful are afforded opportunities to grow in the life of Christ through prayer and by experiences, reflections and studies. Critical to these efforts are faith-filled and competent catechetical and pastoral ministers which was the genesis of Three Seeds of Faith endowments established in the early 2000’s.

The people of the Diocese of Winona Rochester sacrificed to set aside a wonderful gift to the future of our diocese in order to evangelize and catechise the Southern Minnesota Catholic faith community in perpetuity. What began as about $3 million has grown to be over $6.6 million under the care of the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota.

Tuition Assistance Grant

The Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Grant supports Diocese of Winona-Rochester families who desire a faith-based Catholic education for their K-12 children but need financial assistance. In the 2025-26 school year, Seeds of Faith–Tuition Assistance awarded more than $150,000 to over 250 families. Just as a seed requires care and attention to grow, students thrive when they are given access to an environment that supports both learning and faith formation.

Beginning in 2026, after thoughtful deliberation with a committee of diocesan representatives, the Seeds of Faith-Tuition Assistance Grant has transitioned to a virtual application process through FACTS. Used nationwide and locally by many Catholic schools, FACTS is a secure online application portal that will provide a simpler, more streamlined experience for applicants and schools.

Key Dates:

Applications Open: Monday, February 16, 2026
Applications Close: May 29, 2026

Faith Formation Grant

The Seeds of Faith- Faith Formation Grant provides support to the training, mentoring, and development of lay ministers, as well as projects and initiatives that seek to evangelize and catechize God’s People within the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Seeds of Faith- Faith Formation gifted $79,500 to DOW-R lay ministers. Through this faithful support, the grant helps form dedicated leaders who strengthen parish life and share the Gospel throughout the diocese.

Applications are reviewed quarterly by a team of rotating diocesan representatives to allow for a thorough and fair deliberation process. All late applications will be kept on file and will be considered in the following quarter.

Quarterly Application Deadlines:

January 12, 2026
April 7, 2026
If needed, Fiscal Year End Remaining Allocation: May 29, 2026
July 10, 2026
October 9, 2026

Download Seeds of Faith - Faith Formation Individual Grant App Here

Download Seeds of Faith-Faith Formation Parish & Deanery App Here

Download Seeds of Faith-Faith Formation Grant Report Form Here

Clergy Formation Grant

The third Seeds of Faith Endowment, designated for Clergy Formation, is also held by the Foundation. It is distributed annually based on need through the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Please direct inquiries for usage of these funds to the Diocese directly.