The Pope Francis Fund

Please see the Application Process and Grant Criteria below

• Read Bishop Fabbro's Letter to the Faithful
• Learn How You Can Join the Collective Effort
• About "Homeless Jesus"

The application process for 2024 is closed

Organizations which have charitable status or not-for-profit status interested in applying for a grant from the Pope Francis Fund can read the fund criteria here.  

This is an endowment fund for which the capital and purchasing power is to be preserved. 

Application Process:

An applicant organization must submit a request for access to the final application form by sending the following information:

• Name of Organization
• Address
• A brief description of proposed use of the grant and how it meets the Fund's criteria
• Amount requested
• Name of contact person along with phone number and email address

Letter to the Faithful 

Below is a Letter to the Faithful from the Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB, Bishop of the Diocese of London.  A PDF copy of this letter is available here.  The letter is also available in French.

To the Faithful of the Diocese of London:
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
In June 2017, at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis offered the Church a World Day of the Poor, “so that throughout the world Christian communities can become an ever greater sign of Christ’s charity for the least and those most in need.”
 
Inspired by Jesus’ preferential love for the poor, as well as by the example set by Pope Francis, I have chosen the third World Day of the Poor, November 17, 2019, as the day to launch the Pope Francis Fund.
 
Thanks to the sale of surplus land adjacent to St. Peter's Seminary, I am able to commit one million dollars to this fund on behalf of all the faithful of the Diocese. The money will be invested in an endowment fund. The proceeds earned will be given annually to agencies, carefully selected through a grant application process, that directly serve the needs of people who are underprivileged.

In the Pope Francis Fund, it is my goal that our faith community is taking concrete action to serve those who are struggling to meet their basic human needs. It is a public declaration that we must take to heart the words of Jesus; “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
 
The endowment will be a continuing source of assistance for those in need, as well as a reminder that we are truly missionary disciples of Christ. One million dollars is a considerable sum, but it is only a seed. I urge every parish and every individual in the Diocese to consider how each of us is able to help our brothers and sisters in need. As your bishop, I warmly invite you to join this collective effort by making a donation to the Pope Francis Fund.
 
Pope Francis ends his letter with these words:  “This new World Day, therefore, should become a powerful appeal to our consciences as believers, allowing us to grow in the conviction that sharing with the poor enables us to understand the deepest truth of the Gospel. The poor are not a problem: they are a resource from which to draw as we strive to accept and practise in our lives the essence of the Gospel.”
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B.
Bishop of London
 
Diocese of London: Being a mission-oriented Church that forms disciples of Jesus

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40)

It is essential that we do everything we can to help the underprivileged in our area.  Establishing this fund and committing one million dollars of seed money are concrete actions which we hope will inspire many people to make a conscious choice to make a difference.  This Fund is not a fundraiser, but it is an occasion to give generously.
 
One million dollars is just the beginning!  Bishop Fabbro is inviting every parish and individual in our diocese to seek opportunities to continue to serve the poor and, when possible, add to the fund.  This invitation extends to the general public as well.  Caring for the poor is the responsibility of everyone.
 
If you would like to join our collective efforts, please give through your local parish, or you can give online with a credit card by clicking here.

Every dollar donated is invested into the Fund along with the original million dollars.  Thank you for your generosity, which will continuously help our struggling brothers and sisters.  Every year, the Diocese of London will publicly announce the year's grant recipients.

About the "Homeless Jesus" statue:
From the sculpter's website:  "Inspired by Matthew: 25, this sculpture is a representation that suggests Christ is with the most marginalized in our society. The Christ figure is shrouded in a blanket the only indication that it is Jesus is the visible wounds on the feet. The life-size version of the work has enough room that someone is able to sit on the bench. This solid resin-stone cast is coated in a realistic bronze finish and is mounted on a solid matt black base. Timothy personally sculpts every original small masterpiece complete with his signature or monogram. Each replica is detailed by hand to the exacting standards of this modern day master sculptor."
 
About sculpter Timothy P. Schmalz: 
For over 25 years, Timothy has been sculpting large scale sculptures. He is a figurative artist with his pieces installed worldwide. Some of his most reputed pieces are installed in historical churches in Rome and at the Vatican. Timothy describes his most important work as visual translations of the Bible.  For more information visit https://www.sculpturebytps.com.
 
About King's University College campus art:
As students, faculty, staff, and visitors make their way across campus, they will encounter many works of art, created in multiple styles and methods, steeped in the Catholic identity of King’s University College.  The art pieces found on the King’s campus have been created by London and area artists, all of whom have earned a great reputation for their work. Many of the pieces of artwork were donated to King’s by members of the extended community.   For more information please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/campus-art/.