CATHOLIC SISTERS

The Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters, established in 1986, is the principal beneficiary of the Conrad N. Hilton Fund. The Fund for Sisters carries on Conrad Hilton's tradition of supporting the Sisters and is the only foundation dedicated exclusively to funding Sisters' projects throughout the world. Operating under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, it supports the apostolic work of sisters around the globe.

Health care, education and social service projects continue to be priorities of the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters.  In order for such projects to qualify for funding, they must directly serve the economically disadvantaged, and at least one vowed member of an officially recognized Roman Catholic congregation of women must be directly involved with the project in a full-time capacity.

In addition, the Sisters' Fund extends grants to national and regional conferences of women religious to help facilitate inter-congregational communication and collaboration, especially in the developing world.

The Sisters' Fund also awards emergency grants in response to natural disasters and political crises.

Grants from the Sisters' Fund rarely exceed $15,000 and may be used to cover operating expenses or to purchase materials and equipment essential to a Sisters' ministry.

The Fund responds to a wide variety of requests: small grants have helped sisters in Uganda to begin poultry raising projects; in Vietnam, grants for sewing machines have helped sisters to establish vocational training programs for young, rural women.  Requests for food, clothing, school supplies and medical equipment are common and often funded.

Since its inception, the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters has awarded over 7,000 grants totaling more than $70 million dollars. The number of applicants continues to increase as more sisters worldwide learn of the Fund and  have access to e-mail.  Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, the Sisters' Fund awarded 800 grants totaling approximately eight million dollars. In 2007 the Sisters' Fund supported projects in 78 countries; nearly half of the total giving was awarded to educational projects.  Nearly 90% of grants were awarded overseas; thirty percent of total funding went to projects in countries designated as least developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

To qualify for funding, a project must directly serve the poor and disadvantaged and have at least one vowed member of an officially recognized Roman Catholic congregation of women religious directly involved in a full-time capacity. Areas of interest include: literacy and education; job creation, training, and development of small business enterprises; maternal and infant health care; HIV/AIDS education, treatment, and support; water purification, nutrition, and agricultural projects; violence prevention and rehabilitation; aid to refugees, immigrants, orphans, and others in special need; technical assistance; disaster response aid; and effective intercommunication assistance grants for Sisters.

"What is most apparent in working with the Sisters around the world is their creativity in responding to the needs of the poor.  Along with this is their ability to use a minimal amount of funding to accomplish so much in helping people regain self-respect, their health and economic viability."

--Sister Joyce Meyer, Executive Director, Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters

To learn more about the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters please visit the new Sisters' Fund website at www.hiltonfundforsisters.org.   Please follow carefully the posted instructions to solicit an application for funding.