Apply for Funding

A Legacy of Faith, Family, & Service

Apply For Funding Now

The Trust typically disburses funds twice per year. If your project is time-sensitive, needs confirmation, or has special circumstances, please submit your application and then use the Contact Form to share additional details. If your request is intended to be recurring, note that in the Project Timeline section of the application.

What began as a simple act of love, a husband and wife working side by side to raise a family and serve their parish, has become a foundation that continues to nurture Catholic communities across generations.

Carrying Faith Forward Through Service

Clarence and Rita Barhorst believed faith was best lived through action, by lifting others, nurturing the Church, and helping communities grow in love and strength. The Clarence and Rita Barhorst Charitable Trust was created in that spirit. Each grant we award carries forward their legacy of faith, compassion, and stewardship.

If your Catholic parish, school, seminary, or charitable organization is seeking support for a project that serves others and strengthens the Church, we welcome your application.

Eligibility & Requirements

To honor the intent and mission of the Trust, funding is available to Catholic faith-based organizations that:

  • Are located within the Diocese of Cincinnati.
  • Operate in alignment with Catholic values and teachings.
  • Demonstrate a clear plan for responsible use of funds and measurable community impact.
  • Serve others through ministries of faith, education, or charitable outreach.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Catholic parishes seeking to enrich parish life, improve facilities, or expand outreach programs.
  • Catholic schools and educational initiatives fostering faith-based learning.
  • Seminaries and religious programs preparing the next generation of spiritual leaders.
  • Charitable organizations and ministries that provide care for the poor, sick, or marginalized.

Each request is evaluated with prayerful consideration and a commitment to Clarence and Rita’s belief that blessings are meant to be shared.

Applications should reflect good stewardship, transparency, and a desire to strengthen Catholic life within your community.

Apply Here

Send Us A Message
Please allow ample time for your request to be processed.

The Clarence and Rita Barhorst Charitable Trust supports Catholic faith-based churches, schools, seminaries, agencies, and charitable organizations in need, primarily within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Funding is available to organizations that serve communities with compassion and uphold Catholic values of service and faith.

Please complete the form below to apply for consideration. All submissions will be reviewed by the trustees, and applicants will be contacted if additional information is needed.

Required Fields & Helpful Tips

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required and must be completed before submitting the application. For longer responses, we recommend drafting and proofreading your answers in your preferred word processing software (such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word) and then pasting the final text into the application. This helps ensure clarity, accuracy, and saves your work as you go.

Applicant Information

Organization Information

A collage showing the same couple at different stages of life, from youthful black-and-white portraits to later colorized images. Early photos show them as young adults smiling in formal settings, while the final image shows them together in later years, dressed formally and smiling warmly. The progression highlights a shared life and enduring partnership over time.
A collage showing the same couple at different stages of life, from youthful black-and-white portraits to later colorized images. Early photos show them as young adults smiling in formal settings, while the final image shows them together in later years, dressed formally and smiling warmly. The progression highlights a shared life and enduring partnership over time.
A collage showing the same couple at different stages of life, from youthful black-and-white portraits to later colorized images. Early photos show them as young adults smiling in formal settings, while the final image shows them together in later years, dressed formally and smiling warmly. The progression highlights a shared life and enduring partnership over time.
A collage showing the same couple at different stages of life, from youthful black-and-white portraits to later colorized images. Early photos show them as young adults smiling in formal settings, while the final image shows them together in later years, dressed formally and smiling warmly. The progression highlights a shared life and enduring partnership over time.
A collage showing the same couple at different stages of life, from youthful black-and-white portraits to later colorized images. Early photos show them as young adults smiling in formal settings, while the final image shows them together in later years, dressed formally and smiling warmly. The progression highlights a shared life and enduring partnership over time.
An elderly couple sits closely together at a restaurant table, smiling warmly, with the man’s arm around the woman’s shoulders. Both are dressed casually, and the woman wears a necklace and bracelet. The cozy indoor setting and their relaxed posture convey affection and companionship.
A vintage color photograph shows an older couple standing together at a reception table, cutting a large decorated cake. The man wears a light-colored suit, and the woman wears a formal dress with a corsage and pearl necklace. The warm, slightly faded tones suggest a celebratory milestone such as an anniversary or formal event.

Contact Us

Have questions about eligibility, the application process, or the Trust itself? We welcome your message and will respond as soon as possible.

barhorsttrust@gmail.com

Contact The Trust
Or Fill Out The Form

Contact Us

Send Us A Message
Tell Us Your Details And We’ll Get Right Back To You.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any Catholic parish, school, seminary, or faith-based organization within the Diocese of Cincinnati may apply, provided their project aligns with the Trust’s mission.

The Board of Trustees reviews all applications, currently led by Garry Barhorst and Sue Barhorst-Klump, with guidance from The Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus. Every decision is made with discernment, prayer, and care.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Organizations may reapply annually if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Yes. To be considered for a typical disbursement cycle, applications should be submitted by the following dates:

• April 1 for June disbursements
• October 1 for December disbursements

Applications received after these dates may be reviewed during a future cycle.

If your request is time-sensitive or involves special circumstances, please submit your application and then use the Contact form to provide additional context. Exceptions may be considered at the discretion of the trustees, depending on the nature and urgency of the request.

Yes. If your request is intended to be recurring, please indicate this on the application form by selecting the recurring request option. Recurring requests are reviewed individually and do not guarantee automatic approval in future cycles.

Grants may support facility improvements, faith-based educational programs, community outreach, spiritual formation, or ministries that serve those in need.

No. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. All requests are reviewed and approved at the sole discretion of the trustees, based on eligibility, available funds, and alignment with the mission of the trust.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Response times may vary depending on volume and the nature of the request. Please note that immediate responses are not guaranteed, and all applications are reviewed with care by the trustees.

The trust generally disburses grant funds twice per year, in June and December. These timeframes allow the trustees to responsibly evaluate requests while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the trust.

At this time, the Trust may only distribute funds to qualifying organizations, not to individuals.

“A Bushel And A Peck And A Huge Hug Around The Neck.” - Rita Barhorst

“Now is as good a time as any.” - Clarence Barhorst

Scroll to Top

Contact Us

Send Us A Message
Thank you for reaching out. We review messages regularly and will follow up as we’re able.