Catholic Charities of Arkansas Catholic Campaign for Human Development A domestic anti-poverty program

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The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ domestic anti-poverty and social justice program. It was established in 1969 to serve two main purposes:

• Empower: CCHD empowers the poor in the U.S. to develop economic strength and political power through organizing and by developing community projects that promote self-sufficiency.
  
  
• Raise Funds: CCHD awards grant money to self-help projects developed by grassroots groups of poor persons. Grants are awarded on both the national and state levels.

During its history, CCHD has provided more than 7,000 grants, many in Arkansas, to self-help projects developed by grassroots groups of poor persons. The projects’ successes and the relationships developed have significantly changed the lives of the poor in our country.

CCHD is supported solely by private donations. The program owes its success to the Catholic parishioners who contribute to the annual parish appeal. The annual collection is scheduled each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Twenty-five percent of the collection stays in our diocese to fund small, local projects and 75 percent is sent to the national CCHD office to be used for the national grants.

The Diocese of Little Rock has received $750,000 over the past 10 years to distribute as grants throughout the state. Learn more about the impact of CCHD in Arkansas Catholic.

CCHD also educates the non-poor about root causes of poverty and Catholic social teaching. If you would like more information about CCHD or want grant information, contact Tom Navin.