NFCYM launches $3.6M micro-grant push for Catholic youth service

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry has announced the first round of grantees for The Drexel Project, a three-year effort backed by a $5 million Lilly Endowment grant. The initiative will send micro-grants to parishes and ministries nationwide to expand teen-led service and youth ministry in underserved communities.

Why it matters: - The Drexel Project is designed to reach 1,000 parishes, more than 1,500 ministry leaders, 10,000 young people and more than 20 youth-serving organizations over the next three years. - The grant program aims to expand Catholic youth ministry at a time when many parishes lack organized youth programs outside sacramental preparation. - The effort is intended to put high school-aged teens at the center of community service projects and leadership development.

What happened: - The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry announced the first round of grantees for The Drexel Project on Oct. 21, 2026. - NFCYM said the initiative will award more than $3.6 million in micro-grants to ministries and parishes across the United States over three years. - The program was funded by a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its National Youth and Young Adult Initiative on Faith and Service. - The project is inspired by the service of St. Katharine Drexel.

The details: - Grants range from $10,000 to $125,000. - NFCYM will monitor progress over the coming year. - The funded projects will support faith-filled service ideas developed by young people through intergenerational mentorship programs. - Many of the projects are expected to extend beyond 2027. - Most recipients will focus on underserved communities and parishes. - Many projects will include resources tailored to Hispanic Catholic communities, including materials built for that audience and translations from English. - NFCYM plans to create an archive of video, stories and testimonials and share them through its social media channels and blogs. - The organization says that archive will serve as a resource for other ministries and organizations. - The full list of recipients includes Ablaze Ministries, Catholic Mission Trips, Catholic Volunteer Network, Corazon Puro, NET Ministries YDisciple, National Religious Vocations Conference, Goodfaith, ProjectYM, Salesians Society, and several dioceses and parishes across the country. - The recipients listed are based in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Illinois, Tennessee, California, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arizona.

Between the lines: - Executive Director Christina Lamas framed the project as a way to let young people and adults build ministry ideas for their own communities. - Chris Bartlett of Ablaze Ministries said the project could help close a youth-ministry gap in the Catholic Church. - Bartlett said an estimated 85% of parishes either have no youth ministry outside sacramental prep or are volunteer run. - The focus on teens as leaders signals a shift from participation-only models to youth-driven service.

What's next: - The second round of grant applications will open in mid-January. - NFCYM said more information will be available at The Drexel Project. - NFCYM will continue tracking grantee progress over the next year and sharing project materials and testimonials. - The program will continue rolling out over the next three years.