Religious Communities
For nearly 160 years, the
Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and other congregations of Catholic women religious have served
America’s most vulnerable residents. Their ministries of health care, education and social service are significant, faith-based resources that strengthen a community’s capacity to help those most in need.
Over the last two centuries, there have been Sisters from over 130 religious orders who have served in Northeast Ohio, encompassing the eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland and Youngstown. Though many of these congregations continue in other parts of the country, there continue to be Sisters serving in Northeast Ohio from over 28 religious orders. Also many of the health, education and social service organizations in our region were founded by women religious. See the
organizations founded by Sisters.
The Sisters of Charity of Cleveland strengthens the ministries of women religious through its
Saint Ann Legacy Program and
Collaboration for Ministry Initiative. The Saint Ann Legacy Program awards grants for ministries of women religious in Northeast Ohio, which it defines as encompassing the Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown. The Collaboration for Ministry Initiative engages in networking, research, communications, and grants that promote collaboration among women religious and build awareness of their contributions in meeting human needs.
Additional information on the differences between the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative and Saint Ann Legacy grant programs.
New Grant Opportunities
Collaboration for Ministry Initiative
New and existing collaborations of women religious in Northeast Ohio (Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown) may apply for grants to support the planning or implementation of their collaborative ministry by
July 9, 2012 for potential awards in September 2012. Read the guidelines and proposal requirements and download the
application. For the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative, the Foundation seeks to evaluate the strength and growth of the collaborations formed to advance a ministry. Beginning in 2012, collaborations funded under CMI will be required to survey their participating members using the attached
Collaborations Progress Checklist.
Saint Ann Legacy Grants
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland has closed the 2012 Saint Ann Legacy Grant Program. Ministries led by Catholic women religious, or where women religious are significantly involved, are eligible to apply. The ministries must serve within the Dioceses of Cleveland or Youngstown. Check back for the deadline for Saint Ann Legacy Proposals for 2013. All proposals must include a Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland Application.
"Out of traditions of the past, we find meaning for the present and hope for the future, responding as our founding sisters did to the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of God's people..."
-Sr. Mary Denis Maher, CSA, Ph.d.
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