Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services, a Columbus, Ohio-based tax-exempt nonprofit, receives federal grants as a prime recipient from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to operate AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer programs, with supplemental sub-recipient work under the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Council on the Aging.

Catholic Social Services operates exclusively in the federal grant space, not as a federal contractor. The organization holds 67% of its recent awards as a prime grant recipient and 33% as a sub-recipient under state and national grantees. CNCS accounts for the bulk of activity: the Corporation for National and Community Service's Office of Grants Management funds 11 of 20 prime and sub awards, with the organization holding active grants under the AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (CFDA 94.016) and the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (CFDA 94.011). HHS Administration for Children and Families and HHS Administration for Community Living account for 5 additional awards combined, while sub-recipient work flows through the National Council on the Aging and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Catholic Social Services' capability footprint centers on intergenerational volunteer service delivery and senior companionship. Under the Senior Companion Program (CFDA 94.016), the organization engages economically disadvantaged volunteers aged 55 and older to provide supportive services—companionship, transportation assistance, respite care, and light household chores—to vulnerable adults with special needs in the Columbus area. Under the Foster Grandparent Program (CFDA 94.011), volunteers deliver one-on-one tutoring, academic support, literacy instruction, and developmental services to children with special needs and academic disadvantages in Ohio schools, Head Start programs, and childcare centers. Recent prime grants include a $758,779 award effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 under the Senior Companion Program, a $1,033,473 award dated September 10, 2025 under the Foster Grandparent Program funding fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, and a $520,806 award dated September 9, 2025 also under Senior Companion. Sub-recipient work includes benefits enrollment support under the National Council on the Aging and vehicle acquisition and maintenance activities under the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. All AmeriCorps grants carry 10% statutory match and 10% budgetary match requirements, with Catholic Social Services providing matching funds as required.

Activity has remained stable over the past five years, with two awards in 2022 and four each in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Only two awards face ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months, creating minimal recompete exposure in the near term. Combined federal dollars obligated across the full award portfolio total $18.2 million across six distinct federal agencies since 2007.