The OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation is looking for a few good Catholic men and women. In their 2021 contest designed to encourage new ideas to help further the mission of the Catholic Church, 12 finalists have emerged from an original pool of nearly 600 applicants.
Three of the 12 finalists will receive $100,000 to help advance their missions. The winners will be announced on September 18 at the OSV Challenge Showcase, which will be live-streamed at 3:30 p.m. The finalists will share their pitches before a panel of five judges. The proposals will be evaluated based on the OSV Challenge value of “Leave a Legacy,” focusing on the most groundbreaking ideas with the most potential impact to their target audience.
“We are not aiming to fund the next good idea, but to invest in people – emerging innovators and seasoned trailblazers – by forming a new generation of entrepreneurs who are not afraid to relook at how we encounter and evangelize through the Truth and beauty of the Catholic Church,” says Jason Shanks, President of OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation.
“The Church has always been at the forefront of great ideas. I believe this year's finalists have demonstrated their ability to make a big impact on the Church and the world,” said Shanks.
To register to attend the virtual showcase event, visit the OSV Challenge website.
And for a taste of what the 12 finalists have to offer, here is a list of their proposals. You might want to bookmark them, because they're going places:
Bendecida XV – Encourages and inspires young Catholic Latinas embarking on a coming of age faith journey. The personalized bilingual Quinceanera preparation programs support pastoral ministers as they accompany families to celebrate and participate in the liturgy.
Catholic in Recovery – Serving individuals, families and communities impacted by addiction by blending the wisdom of 12-step recovery with the sacramental life of the Catholic Church.
Cycle Prep – Programs allowing parents and daughters to learn about cycles and periods at various stages together, by providing sound science, upholding the dignity of the body and honoring parents as primary educators.
Dragon Slayers – Striving to inspire and equip parents to raise the next generation of saints through sacramental retreats, interactive resources, high adventure camps and their Saints in the Making University.
FemCatholic – Bringing feminism and Catholicism together: A campaign for the promotion of women through education, encouragement and empowerment.
Fiat Project – An 8-month discernment program that equips young adult women to discover God’s plan for their lives through prayer, formation, accompaniment and community.
MyCatholicDoctor – By making Catholic healthcare accessible to everyone through telehealth and a national network of faithful healthcare professionals, the mission is to build a virtual hospital that is pro-life and pro-eternal life.
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear – A project by Life-Giving Wounds ministry to develop media outreach and online courses on dating and marriage prep for young adults from divorced or separated families.
Quo Vadis Catholic – Recruiting, screening and forming young adults to live in intentional parish communities. Supporting parishes by leasing underutilized Church real estate and transforming it into sources of spiritual and financial capital.
Red Bird Ministries – An organization that systematically guides individuals and couples through the complexity and trauma that happens with the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood.
Springs in the Desert – A Catholic community formed through the shared suffering of infertility and loss and to accompany those who also carry this cross.
Tabella – A social app designed for Catholics to stay connected digitally to their churches and groups and grow in their faith through access to Catholic content.
