The Catholic Foundation was established to enable spiritual, social needs and education support throughout the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
In late 2012, with the blessing of Archbishop Mark Coleridge the Catholic Foundation was formed.
As an overarching organisation, the Foundation was developed with a vision of improving future financial sustainability for the Church’s many programs, organisations and ministries.
The four key ministries for which funds are raised through the Charitable Works Fund of the Catholic Foundation are:
Holy Spirit Seminary
Since 1941 over 420 priests had been trained and ordained at the Banyo Seminary. Many others who did not go on to ordination have benefited by the experience and formation and have taken up worthy positions in the secular world.
Centacare
Established for more than 50 years, Centacare is the social services arm of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Centacare has a workforce of more than 3,000 staff and volunteers who work with various government and community associations. Gifts to Centacare directly benefit Centacare’s Pastoral Ministries, which rely on the generosity of donors and volunteers.
The Priests Foundation
The Priests Foundation was established more than a decade ago to ensure that priests were well supported and cared for in retirement. Your donations to the Foundation provide much-needed support to retired priests such as basic daily living assistance, health and holistic care, convalescent care, accommodation support, health and transport services.
The MacKillop Fund
The Mary MacKillop Brisbane Catholic School Access Fund was created in 2012. Established in the name of Australia’s first recognised saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the fund provides bursaries to break down financial barriers and provide a Catholic education for students who would otherwise miss out.
There are multiple smaller endowments, some of which have been set up by benefactors, to provide a permanent source of income to the ministry of their preference and passion.
Annual Grants Program
In 2014, the Catholic Foundation launched the Annual Grants Program – a first for the Archdiocese of Brisbane – which enables smaller, non tax-deductible ministries, such as parish ministries and other grassroots initiatives to seek grants to support their work.
Annual Catholic Campaign
Today, the Annual Catholic Campaign is our main appeal. It remains a grassroots fundraiser.
Our connection to the Catholic Church and Catholic community has always been, and will always be, core to our mission, our work and our function.