The Retirement Fund for Religious helps religious communities care for senior members—today and tomorrow.
Donate nowThe Need
Across the United States, hundreds of religious communities lack financial resources sufficient to meet the retirement and health-care needs of aging members.
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Lack of Funds
Many elder religious worked for years for little to no pay, leaving a large gap in retirement savings. At the same time, fewer religious are able to serve in compensated ministry.
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Rising Costs
Like many Americans, religious communities face the monumental challenge of funding eldercare.
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Changing Demographics
Today, retired religious outnumber wage-earners by nearly three to one.
Donations at Work
Your donation makes a difference. Approximately 95 percent of our budget aids senior religious. Only 5 percent is used for administration and promotional activities.
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$973.3
milliondistributed since the collection began in 1988. -
286religious communities received funding in 2024.
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20,571religious past age 70 benefit from the RFR.
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Financial Assistance
The bulk of donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious are allocated to assist with the direct care of senior religious. Learn More.
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Consultation
Volunteer consultants provide hands-on support for retirement planning and maximize the impact of donations. Learn More.
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Education
Proceeds from the Retirement Fund for Religious underwrite educational programs and resources that promote comprehensive retirement planning and enhanced quality of life for aging members. Learn More.
Ways to give
Learn how you can support elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests.
Stories & News
Meet some of the women and men who benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious.
“Donations are needed to have the ordinary kinds of things many senior religious need in terms of food, clothing, and housing. We owe it to them to take care of them. Maybe even more than we have in the past… they need it,” says Father Maury Smith, 87, a member of the Order of Friars… Read More »
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The Retirement Fund for Religious team recently journeyed to St. Louis, Missouri, to photograph senior religious from various communities within the archdiocese. These dedicated sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have all benefited from the impact of generous donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious collection, held annually nationwide.
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