Support for Sister-Affiliated Ministries During Challenging Times: Understanding a Foundation Initiative in Two Regions

Abstract

Keywords: Foundation initiative, Catholic sisters, capacity buildingIntroductionCatholic sisters have established schools, hospitals, and social service ministries that have served hundreds of thousands of people over past 200 years (Leadership Conference for Women Religious, 2010). Due natural aging of Catholic sisters and a decline in new vocations, however, there is an accelerating loss of sisters and their ministries nationwide (Gautier & Cidade, 2010). Although this loss is itself a concern, a more important impact is experienced by beneficiaries of ministries, especially those who have few alternatives sister-affiliated social services. Because these ministries fill an important gap in social safety net for vulnerable populations, disappearance of ministry-directed efforts has begun draw attention of foundations (Wittberg, 2000).In 2001 Saint Ann Foundation (now Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland) conducted a research study on ministries of women religious across Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina and identified three challenges facing sisters and their ministries: (1) an aging and declining number of sisters in ministry; (2) an increase in underlying needs ministries were addressing; and (3) paucity of plans in place for transitioning ministry leadership or sustaining ministry services (Csank, 2002). To address these challenges foundation embarked upon a Collaboration for Ministry Initiative (CMI), with a goal of building collaborative capacity within and among ministries by providing grants, training and technical assistance, and opportunities for networking. Over time, Cleveland initiative narrowed focus on northeast Ohio.In 2003 Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina conducted a study of Catholic sisters in that state and reached similar conclusions regarding fewer sisters, their imperiled ministries, and need for collaborative capacity building (Csank, 2004). In 2004 CMI expanded South Carolina and efforts began across both regions build collaborative capacity of sister-affiliated ministries in an effort sustain positive impact on beneficiaries.Capacity-Building ContextThe notion of building capacity within and in support of sisters' ministries links closely broader domain of capacity building in nonprofit sector. Nonprofit capacity building has been focus of extensive study, and numerous definitions have been offered for capacity building in literature (Light, 2004). McPhee and Bare (2001) define capacity building as the ability of nonprofit organizations fulfill their missions in an effective manner. Gronbjerg and Cheney (2007) note seven operationalized dimensions of capacity building articulated in literature: financial resources, marketing, networking and advocacy, information technology, human resources, planning and programs, and operations and governance. At its core, capacity building essentially involves ability to secure outside resources and attain scale (Glickman & Servon, 1998, p. 502).In terms of strategies address capacity building, De Vita, Fleming, and Twombly (2001) propose three main types of activities: 1) assessment inside and outside of organization; 2) interventions using management consultation, training, and/or technical assistance; and 3) direct financial support for core operating support, specific grants, and working capital. Yet others have suggested that capacity building should go beyond finding ways increase nonprofits' financial-resource base include such things as developing a broad vision and assessing how organization can meet community's needs (Boris, 2001). Overall, nonprofit capacity-building literature provides good conceptual definitions and some guidance on identifying strategies and models for building nonprofit capacity (Fischer, 2004). …