The Portiuncula Foundation, a grant-making institute of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities recently awarded $91,000 in grants and scholarships to 14 non-profit organizations and Catholic universities. The grants and scholarships will support education, workforce development, affordable housing, health and wellness, as well as programs that address root causes of poverty, focus on systemic change and empower the marginalized, especially women and children.
The foundation offers grants to non-profit organizations that advance the health and well-being of people in communities where the Sisters of St. Francis live and work. In addition, nursing scholarships are awarded to students working to obtain a nursing certificate, associate or master’s degree in nursing from a Catholic nursing school, college or university in western Pennsylvania.
Sisters and foundation board members presented the awards to recipients Wednesday, June 1 during a brunch at St. Francis Convent at Mount Alvernia in Millvale.
Founded in 2003, the Portiuncula Foundation supports efforts to advance the health and well-being of people living in communities where the Sisters of St. Francis live and work. The foundation manages the restricted gifts and charitable funds formerly held at the Pittsburgh-based St. Francis Health Foundation, St. Francis Hospital of New Castle, and St. Francis Medical Center in a manner in keeping with the original intent of the donors.
The Portiuncula Foundation also administers the memorial nursing scholarships originally established at the former St. Francis Medical Center School of Nursing.
The name, Portiuncula is derived from an Italian word that means “Little Portion.”
Photo: 2016 Grant and scholarship recipients
