In the five weeks since the earthquake devastated Haiti on January 12, the Catholic Community Foundation has granted $189,022 to 14 nonprofits engaged in or supporting relief efforts. This outpouring of generosity was in part a response to the Catholic Community Foundation’s Jan. 13 challenge to its board and donors to raise $50,000 by January 29 for Sacred Heart Haiti Foundation. That goal was exceeded by 21 percent when $63,416 was collected for the Rochester, Minn.-based nonprofit.

The remaining $125,606 was distributed to the American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis’ Haiti Fund, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Church of the Annunciation’s Mission Haiti Fund, Cross International, Friends of the Orphans, Hope for Haiti, and World Vision International.

Sacred Heart Haiti Foundation: Serving Haitians for 30 Years

Dale and Joyce Grabarkiewicz established Sacred Heart Haiti Foundation in 1980 as a way to provide financial and volunteer support to the Haitian branch of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta.  Now in their 70’s, Dale and Joyce were in Haiti when the earthquake struck and described the “unbelievable need” for help in the poverty-plagued country.

“You could send millions [of dollars] and it would be just a drop in the bucket compared to the need in Haiti,” Dale said. “Families were living in the streets before this tragedy happened. Those who had nothing lost even that.”

The couple ended their most recent mission trip to Haiti on January 15 on the advice of the U.S. consulate, but say the financial support received from the Catholic Community Foundation continues their 30-year commitment to the people of Haiti and the Missionaries of Charity working in that country.

Joyce said, “The Sisters don’t waste a cent – everything goes to the people. It’s like we’re helping our own family. We’re all God’s people…you see the face of Jesus in all those little babies.” The Missionaries of Charity in Haiti operate an orphanage and provide food, water, housing and medical aid to hundreds of Haitians every day.

As an all-volunteer organization, 100 percent of all donations to Sacred Heart Haiti Foundation directly support the Missionaries of Charity’s work in Haiti. The foundation does not maintain a website, and even its newsletter is funded through a rummage sale, Joyce explained.

Donations for Crisis – and Beyond

The immediate charitable response to disasters such as the Haiti earthquake is essential and welcome, but ongoing support is needed to sustain emergency relief efforts and meet the many needs of our own Archdiocese, said Catholic Community Foundation President Marilou Eldred, Ph.D. “Our donors generously support a wide range of causes, including very public national disasters. But it’s just as inspiring to make grants to lesser-known programs that provide services for children, families and the elderly in our local Catholic community,” she said.

In addition to grants made from its 237 Donor Advised Funds, the Catholic Community Foundation has a Community Priorities Fund to provide funding to local nonprofits serving at-risk youth, single mothers, and the elderly. In December 2009, the Catholic Community Foundation made 54 grants totaling $115,000 from its Community Priorities Fund. Growing the Fund is a priority for the Catholic Community Foundation, which annually receives three times as many requests for grants than can be fulfilled through that fund.

How to Help

At this time, donations to the Sacred Heart Haiti Foundation may be sent directly to the Sacred Heart Haiti Mission Foundation, Inc., 3304 Lake Street N.W., Rochester, MN  55901-7589.

To contribute to or learn more about the Catholic Community Foundation’s Community Priorities Fund, visit www.ccf-mn.org/Community_Priorities_Fund.html or call 651-389-0877.

About the Catholic Community Foundation

The mission of the Catholic Community Foundation is to financially support the spiritual, social and educational needs of the Catholic community. The Foundation fulfills this mission by working with Catholic individuals, families and institutions to manage charitable funds benefiting nonprofits that are in alignment with and foster Catholic values. Founded in 1992 and based in St. Paul, the Catholic Community Foundation has granted nearly $70 million to Catholic and secular nonprofits locally and around the U.S., and is the nation’s largest community foundation serving Catholic philanthropy. Learn more at www.ccf-mn.org.