Catholic sisters will learn fundraising, mission advancement for 21st century through new program at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Grants from Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and GHR Foundation support training for women religious
Congregations of Catholic sisters will have an opportunity to strengthen their fundraising and development efforts through a new program at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
The Fund Raising School and Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy are developing and offering a comprehensive resource development program for women religious. The program is supported by more than $2.6 million in grant funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the GHR Foundation.
"Advancing Mission: Women Religious in the 21st Century," includes training for congregational leaders and an opportunity for congregations to secure multi-year grant funding to build congregational fundraising and development capacity, as well as ongoing support through coaching and peer learning.
"Sisters tend to be humble, thinking of others first and putting their needs ahead of fundraising," said Kathleen Mahoney, recent past president of Porticus North America Foundation and coordinator for Advancing Mission. "As a result, many congregations of women religious are under-resourced. This program approaches fundraising as a ministry, a way of helping women religious to invite others to join in their mission."
A select group of congregations will have the opportunity to:
- deepen appreciation for fundraising and development as ministry,
- connect congregational mission to fundraising and development, and
- implement a robust program for mission advancement in the 21st century.
"We want to help Catholic sisters in the U.S. attract the resources they need to further their mission at a time when their congregations are stressed financially," said Steven M. Hilton, Chairman, President & CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. "The Fund Raising School and the Lake Institute have stepped up with a training program that takes into account the opportunities and challenges facing Catholic sisters today. We encourage sisters to participate and learn about best practices in development from one of the most highly regarded institutions in the field."
The project is one of the largest fundraising training grants The Fund Raising School and Lake Institute have ever received. Both are recognized leaders in helping faith-based organizations build fundraising capacity. They jointly offer a "Faith and Fundraising" program that teaches principles and techniques of fundraising in the context of the theology of faith traditions.
"Our goal is to increase the capacity of congregations of women religious to introduce themselves to a new generation," said Timothy L. Seiler, director of The Fund Raising School. "Helping them build stronger congregations will enable them to continue their wonderful mission and advance the remarkable contributions they make in enriching the lives of others. We are honored to assist them and we thank the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the GHR Foundation for their generous support of this important initiative."
A four-year, $1.9 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and a nearly $769,000 grant from the GHR Foundation will fund development and implementation of the program. Both foundations have a strong commitment to supporting Catholic sisters.
"The GHR Foundation deeply appreciates Catholic sisters for the indelible institutions that they have built in this country and their legacy of service to all," noted Amy Goldman, chair and executive director of GHR Foundation. "We are pleased to partner with The Fund Raising School and Lake Institute to create a timely program to support congregations of women religious in building strong, vital futures."
Congregations of women religious are invited to apply. The program is designed for those with limited efforts in mission advancement, as well as those seeking to strengthen their current efforts. The selection committee will take into account leadership participation, a congregation's current mission advancement efforts, and its commitment to prioritize and invest in future mission advancement efforts. Participation is limited.
The inaugural program will be held in Indianapolis July 16-19, 2013. Costs of meals, lodging and travel expenses of up to $600 per person will be covered by Advancing Mission.
"Resource development is an investment in the future of religious life," said William G. Enright, Karen Lake Buttrey Director of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and former senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. "It's important for those of us who are called to religious vocations to learn how to tell our story and build our case so we can appropriately support the work to which we are called. We are grateful for the visionary generosity of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the GHR Foundation, which will make that possible."
About The Fund Raising School
A field leader, The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy supports nonprofit leaders and fundraising professionals through training that emphasizes ethics and effectiveness in fundraising. It offers more than a dozen types of courses in locations throughout the United States, abroad and online.
About Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
A groundbreaking program, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy fosters greater understanding of the ways in which faith inspires and informs giving within the major religious traditions. It does so through educational forums, research into the dynamic relationships between faith and giving, assistance to donors and thoughtful conversations among individuals, families and faith communities on issues related to faith, money and giving as a way to nurture cultures of generosity.
About Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The nation's first school of philanthropy, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change in the world. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women's Philanthropy Institute.
About Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by international business pioneer Conrad N. Hilton, who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world's disadvantaged and vulnerable people. The Foundation currently conducts strategic initiatives in six priority areas: providing safe water, ending chronic homelessness, preventing substance abuse, helping children affected by HIV and AIDS, supporting transition-age youth in foster care, and extending Conrad Hilton's support for the work of Catholic Sisters. Following selection by an independent international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $1.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to a nonprofit organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. From its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants, distributing $83 million in the U.S. and around the world in 2012. The Foundation's current assets are in excess of $2.2 billion. For more information, please visit www.hiltonfoundation.org.
About GHR Foundation
The GHR Foundation was founded in 1965 upon the belief that through mutual love and respect for all humankind, the world will be a better place where poverty, illiteracy, intolerance and chronic health issues (both physical and mental) will be eased. We employ Catholic social values, entrepreneurial creativity, and the spirit and practice of transformational philanthropy to achieve this goal. For more information, please feel free to contact us at info@ghrfoundation.org.