Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, announced June 3 the following organizations as recipients of grants through the 2013 Bishop George W. Ahr Endowment Fund.

The Endowment Fund was created to award grants for special projects that fulfill a spiritual need. Any parish, office, apostolate, individual, parish special ministry or organization is invited to apply for a grant.

The Bishop George W. Ahr Endowment Fund Committee selects from the pool of applicants who describe the amount needed with a detailed rationale for the request.

This year’s recipients are:

Birthright of Ocean County, $500: Birthright is a pro-life, non-political international service organization dedicated to a healthy mother having a healthy baby. Proceeds from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will assist with replacing furniture, office equipment and supplies that were lost in Superstorm Sandy.

CYO of Mercer County, $2,000: Proceeds from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will be given to assist the CYO East State Street Center’s pre-school, after-school and summer day came programs that is offered for inner-city children.

Christian Brothers Community, $500: The Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will be used to purchase materials and provide training for bilingual volunteers and for reimbursement of volunteer travel expenses.

Collier Services, Kateri Day Camp, Wickatunk, $1,000: Kateri Day Camp is an entity of Collier Services. Proceeds from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will provide support to economically disadvantaged children to attend the camp.

1st Way of Burlington County, Beverly, $500: 1st Way provides pregnancy tests, baby and maternity clothing, formula, food, diapers and equipment to women and girls with unplanned pregnancies free of charge.

Mercy Center, Asbury Park, $500: The agency will use the Bishop Ahr Endowment grant to assist with expenses of food, public transportation expenses, hygiene items and infant items for families in need.

Mount Carmel Guild, Trenton, $1,000: An inner-city Trenton-based diocesan agency, Mount Carmel Guild provides assistance to the poor through its Emergency Assistance Program and Home Health Nursing Program. The Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will assist the cost of prescriptions, utilities assistance and referrals to other social service agencies to individuals and families in chronic or temporary crisis.

Chaplain, New Jersey State Prison, $500: Proceeds from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will assist with the purchase of materials for the religious development of the inmates.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Highlands, $500: Proceeds from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will assist with the purchase of fresh food and supplies to be distributed to people in need.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, $500: The conference will use the donation from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund as it continues to assist the poor and needy with food vouchers, clothing, furniture and emergency funding for utility payments, infant items.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference of St. Dominic Parish, Brick, $500: Monies from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will assist the conference in providing emergency funding for utility and rent payments.

Visitation Home, Hamilton, $2,000: Visitation Home is a Catholic outreach organization that provides housing for persons with developmental disabilities. Proceeds from the Bishop Ahr Endowment Fund will be used to purchase a dining room table for one of the houses.