The 2004-2005 Contributions Fund Recipients

Finances also become a vehicle in creating change. Therefore, as a Congregation, we have developed criteria for Alternative Investments to help groups in which impoverished and marginalized people have decision-making roles (financially stable groups who might not otherwise get funding). These investments are loans which are paid back to the Congregation over time.

As Franciscans, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis have had a long history of involvement in social justice issues. Together with our struggling brothers and sisters throughout the world, we look forward to the day when justice is the norm and peace reigns in our lands.

The funds allocated for alternative investments will most frequently be used in low-interest, long-term loans for the development of peoples leading to self-reliance, economic justice and people's participation in their own economic growth. The social encyclicals of the Church and the Bishops' Pastoral on Economics call us to the fact that the poor and helpless have a special claim to our financial resources. Through the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis Statement of Direction, we seek to identify with the minores, the little, the poor and the unwanted. We have chosen to stand in solidarity with those who are less fortunate than we. The social justice stewardship stance of the Gospel is our guide.

To be in solidarity with the poor we are willing to loan out a portion of our money at a low rate of return.

We prefer to collaborate with other groups where research and technical assistance are provided.

We are willing to serve as members of the boards of the organizations where our money is invested so that we can influence decisions as to how our money is used.

Social Justice Contributions Fund

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis have a small fund designated annually to be used to support those groups which work for social justice. One percent of our Sisters' income is set aside to help fund the work of social justice. Because the Contributions Fund is small, we rarely donate more than $1,000 to any particular group. However, we do make exceptions depending upon the type of work and how well it fits our criteria. We will only donate to a specific group one time during our fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30. Twice a year, a board made up of our Sisters and friends reviews the requests received and makes a decision based on money available and how the requests fit our criteria.

Contributions from the Social Justice Contributions Fund may be given if all the criteria are met, namely:

The group's work is in accordance with the Mission Statement (see Home     Page) and Statement of Commitments (see Social Justice Page) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.

It promotes the conditions of social justice and incorporates the means to attaining it (systemic change and/or direct service).

The group is a not-for-profit organization.

It has limited access or availability of other funding.

The group's work addresses one or more of the Congregational social justice focus issues (economic justice, environmental concerns, human rights, peace and women's rights).

Due Dates

November 15 - for the meeting in January

April 15 - for the meeting in June

Contributions Fund Application Form

Budget Form

If you believe your organization fits our criteria, please send five copies of the following:

Application Form
Budget Form
Current financials
List of Board Members
List of other funders and amounts

to:

Sister Dorothy Pagosa, Chairperson
Office for Social Justice
Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF
205 W. Monroe
Chicago, IL 60606

If you have any questions, you may contact Sr. Dorothy at:
Phone: (312) 641-5151
e-mail: dpagosa@claret.org