Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2025
Associates of St. John Bosco Expands RISE Awards Nationally Following Successful Pilot Program
Catholic non-profit launches $50,000 initiative to inspire creative evangelization on college campuses across the country
Springfield, VA – Building on the success of last year’s pilot program in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, the Associates of St. John Bosco (ASJB) today announced the launch of the national RISE [Renewal through Innovative Student Evangelization] Awards.
In its inaugural year, the RISE Awards drew over a dozen applications requesting more than $150,000 in funding, underscoring both the demand and the need for creativity present in collegiate Catholic Campus Ministries. After awarding $25,000 to three ministries in the region, ASJB is now expanding the program nationwide with $50,000 in available award funding for the 2026 - 2027 school year.
Applications for the RISE Awards will open September 15, 2025 and close January 15, 2026. Finalists will be invited to present their projects to a panel of judges at a live in-person event in June 2026, with awardees announced later that summer.
Statement from ASJB Executive Director Danielle Zuccaro:
“The Associates of St. John Bosco is thrilled to be launching the National RISE Awards in an effort to incentivize creative evangelization on campus and win souls for Christ. We are excited to see the ideas that will be forged, tried, and tested, and we are confident that the very best evangelization projects will rise to the top.”
To learn more or apply for a RISE Award, see here.
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The Associates of St. John Bosco is a Catholic 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Northern Virginia whose purpose is to help college students keep and grow in their Catholic faith during their college years. Learn more at ASJB.org.
Past Press Releases
August 6, 2025 - 2025 RISE Award Recipients Press Release
March 1, 2025 - 2025 RISE Award Pilot Program Launch Press Release
In the News
September 15, 2025 - Our Sunday Visitor https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/campus-ministrys-new-coffee-shop-helps-students-encounter-christ/
August 21, 2025 - Arlington Catholic Herald: https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/rise-awards-recognize-college-campus-evangelization/
August 10, 2025 - Catholic News Agency: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265865/first-ever-rise-awards-recognizes-innovative-evangelization-projects-on-college-campuses
April 24, 2025 - Arlington Catholic Herald: https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/associates-of-st-john-bosco-foster-college-campus-creativity/
March 5, 2025 - Catholic Vote: https://catholicvote.org/catholic-organization-launches-campaign-finance-most-creative-college-ministries/