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

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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.

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.

  • $944.5
    million
    has been distributed since 1989.
  • 297
    religious communities received funding in 2023.
  • 24,005
    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.

“It’s this kindness,” Brother Ronald of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and the Captives (The Trinitarians) says, “that keeps us old birds chirping and fluttering, far from just waiting for the undertaker.” He notes that the donors to the Retirement Fund for Religious “enabled us to continue in our lives until our final… Read More »

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The Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) team recently photographed senior religious persons from various religious communities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. These sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have all benefited from the generous donations to the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection.

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