Forty Years of Charism

In 1986, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange established the St. Joseph Fund (SJF) to embody their charism and Christ’s healing ministry. After decades of service through hospitals, schools, and parishes, the Sisters realized that many urgent community needs couldn’t be met by clinical care alone. SJF was established as a grantmaking organization to respond directly to community-identified needs and to extend its legacy of compassionate service beyond institutional settings.

Our early efforts focused on disaster relief. One of its first major grants supported communities devastated by the 1986 Mexico City earthquake, where thousands of lives were lost, and infrastructure was severely damaged. The grantmaking support strengthened a long-standing commitment to stand with the most vulnerable in times of crisis. It reflected the Sisters’ desire to care for the “dear neighbor without distinction.”

Rooted in the Sisters’ strong presence in California, the Fund was intentionally created to continue their practice of living among those most affected by poverty and injustice and working alongside neighbors to enhance community well-being. Today, we continue this mission by promoting health equity, racial healing and justice, community empowerment, and systemic change. True to the Sisters’ core values, we rely on the wisdom and leadership of those with lived experience and partner with communities over time to help organizations and communities flourish.

This year, we celebrate our 40th anniversary and honor the courage and vision of the Sisters, whose faith made this ministry possible, along with the many partners who have helped build more just, vibrant communities. During this milestone year, we plan to launch the St. Joseph Rooted in Love Award to recognize partners who embody the Sisters’ charism in extraordinary ways.

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