The Catholic Campaign for Human Development decided not to renew grant funding for the University YMCA’s immigrant projects. 

This decision came after the campaign added a new condition into the grant, stipulating that the YMCA must cut ties with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, an organization that the YMCA receives much support from. The YMCA decided not to comply. 

“We were notified when we reapplied for a second year of funding that it was going to be raised to $60,000, I think reflecting the good work that was happening here, but with that came the condition that we would have to withdraw from this statewide organization that we work closely with because they had come out in support of same-sex marriage,” said Mike Doyle, executive director of the University YMCA.

A Catholic Campaign for Human Development spokesperson explained that nothing guarantees a grant on a year-to-year basis. Every time it is renewed, the organization receiving the grant must comply with its conditions. He also mentioned that the funding for the campaign comes from Catholics all across the nation, and that the bishops of the United States do not feel comfortable using money their parishioners donated for purposes that are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Claire can be reached at [email protected].