The Retirement Fund for Religious uses cookies to improve the functionality and performance of this site. By continuing to browse this site, you consent to the use of cookies.

Retirement Fund for Religious

Menu Toggle Menu

The Retirement Fund for Religious helps religious communities care for senior members—today and tomorrow.

Donate now

The Need

Across the United States, hundreds of religious communities lack financial resources sufficient to meet the retirement and health-care needs of aging members.

  • Lack of Funds

    Many elder religious worked for years for small stipends, leaving a large gap in retirement savings. At the same time, fewer religious are able to serve in compensated ministry.

  • Rising Costs

    Like many Americans, religious communities face the monumental challenge of funding eldercare.

  • Changing Demographics

    Today, retired religious outnumber wage-earners by nearly three to one.

Learn more

Donations at Work

Your donation makes a difference. Roughly 95 percent of our budget aids senior religious. Only 5 percent is used for promotional activities and administration.

  • $888
    million
    has been distributed since 1989.
  • 321
    religious communities received funding in 2021.
  • 26,330
    religious past age 70 benefit from the RFR.

  • 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.

  • Consultation

    Volunteer consultants provide hands-on support for retirement planning and maximize the impact of donations. Learn More.

  • 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 men and women who benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious.

Stories

Sister Mary Hope Doudard, SSCJ, 87

December 8, 2021

“Even at the age of six and prior, I remember being attracted to spending quiet time with God,” says Sister Mary Hope Doudard, a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in San Antonio, Texas.

Read more

News

Thanks for the Smiles!

June 6, 2022

Recently, the Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) team was delighted to photograph several senior religious from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Read more