Broadening the Vision of Catholic Philanthropy

Guest Post – Gabriela Robles, Chief Executive, St. Joseph Fund

Earlier this year, I was named to FADICA’s board. This is a tremendous honor for me, both personally and professionally – an honor that I felt deeply about during the recent board retreat.

Joining the board has felt like discovering a spiritual peer group, one where our shared Catholic identity isn’t just a checkbox or a backdrop. The foundations that are part of FADICA, bring their whole selves to the work. There’s a humility and an understanding that being entrusted with resources means being called to serve. That truly resonates with me.

The St. Joseph Fund is a Catholic Foundation, but we don’t always have the space to talk about what that really means and to articulate how Catholic social teaching informs our “why.” With FADICA, it’s different because there’s a depth of shared language. Because of our mutual understanding of our faith, we understand what caring for our dear neighbor without distinction means, why equity matters, and why relationships are at the heart of our work.

FADICA has existed since 1976, when it was created to support Catholic funders navigating a rapidly evolving Church. Today, it’s a strong network of foundations committed to Catholic ministries and the common good. Its model is based on fellowship and learning, supporting members through exchange, joint funding, faith formation, and research.

They also advocate for racial justice and equity. At the urging of Jason Lacsamana, SJF Director, Programs and Partnerships, we are supporting an initiative to promote racial equity within the network. That kind of collaboration speaks volumes about the direction FADICA is taking. Both Jason and I are very excited to see how we can grow our partnership outside of my role on the board.

Our work offers something distinct to FADICA. Many FADICA members focus on organizational capacity, supporting schools, dioceses, and global ministries. Our focus is unique. We’re rooted in community building and healing, leadership development, and policy change. And we’ve built an infrastructure to support that work from the ground up.

It’s early in my tenure, but I already see so many opportunities to learn from other models, share what’s working for us, challenge one another lovingly, and keep expanding the work of Catholic philanthropy.

While this role fulfills a professional bucket, it challenges me personally. Many members of FADICA are familiar with Church leadership at the highest levels. They can quote papal encyclicals and understand the nuances of canon law. When I left the retreat, I began questioning what I could be reading or where I could look to learn more, faster. But honestly, that’s the beauty of this appointment. It’s motivating and inspiring me to dive deeper into my faith and the broader Catholic context.

The truth is, Catholic philanthropy doesn’t just belong to one kind of person. It’s not defined by who you know or how much you give. It’s defined by how rooted you are in love, in service, in faith. And I believe SJF helps expand that vision.

St. Joseph, the patron of SJF, modeled that kind of love. Quiet, steadfast, and devoted to the well-being of others. That’s the legacy we carry forward. And now, as a new member of FADICA’s board, I get to carry and share it in a new space.

I look forward to the conversations, the collaborations, and the unexpected ways this journey will stretch our work.