The Clara Pfaender Fund

The Clara Pfaender Fund is an endowment fund that encourages ministries sponsored by Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc. (WFSI) and the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters to develop programs and services benefiting the poor and disadvantaged in Illinois, Colorado, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The Clara Pfaender Fund was created by WFSI between the years 1985 and 1989, making its first grant in 1989 as a proactive and tangible response to the needs of the poor, recognizing that the poor can best be served by empowering individuals and transforming systems. It offers funding in response to specific requests, for the purpose of achieving Human and Community Development.

The fund was created by an initial contribution from the System and is sustained by ongoing contributions from organizations systemwide in the form of tithing. Every year, all system holding companies whose net income is in excess of $50,000 contribute five percent of the excess revenue over expenses to the Clara Pfaender Fund. That sum, plus interest on the endowment, is then made available for grants on an annual basis.

The criteria for grant requests include:

Consistency with the Mission, Vision and Values and philosophy of the Wheaton Franciscans and the System
A commitment to serve the poor and disadvantaged, both employees and non-employees, through direct services, empowerment and transformation of systems
A commitment to use all the grant money to initiate, expand or, by exception, maintain efforts that further the Mission, Vision and Values of the Wheaton Franciscans and the System.

Preference is given to the ministerial pathways of health and shelter as well as to applications that demonstrate the potential to become substantially self-sustaining within three to five years.

For more information, please call Rita Kennedy Stanton at 630-909-6904.