Background
Conrad N. Hilton counted Sisters among his friends and supported their congregations throughout his lifetime. He ensured that his personal support for Sisters, and that of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, would continue through a provision in his last will and testament:
“Give aid to… the Sisters, who devote their love and life’s work for the good of mankind, for they appeal especially to me as deserving help from the Foundation…It is my wish… to have the largest part of your benefactions dedicated to the Sisters in all parts of the world.”
The Foundation responded to legal challenges to the will by establishing the Conrad N.Hilton Fund for Sisters and providing it with nearly $200 million over 26 years. The Fund has made almost 10,000 grants to support the work of Sisters with the poor and vulnerable in 143 countries.
With the legal settlement complete, the Foundation now reassumes responsibility for direct grantmaking in support of Sisters. Doing so entails building internal capacity, launching a grants program, and developing a global strategy responsive to profound, historic changes in the life and work of sisters.