The Social Justice & Outreach Commission at St. Pius X has a unique opportunity! We have had a long-standing partnership with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund (JBDF). Jessie Ball duPont herself understood deeply the human obligation to share one’s good fortune with those less fortunate, to give generously, and to open one’s heart.

Our relationship with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund allows us to apply for grants that help us partner with local charities for larger initiatives.  This relationship began in 1959 when Monsignor Sheehy started St. Pius.  He became friends with Mrs. Jessie Ball duPont at a conference out East where he discussed his new church and school.  Mrs. duPont was one of the initial donors to building the school.  Following her death in 1962, she left a vast estate. Only those charities to which she had donated in the last 4 years of her life were eligible to apply for grants and St. Pius was one of those.
 
Her early donations were used to build the school and the church.  However, since 1982, St. Pius has been approved for 38 grants totaling $1,279,800.  We have helped fund joint projects with the Community Health Free Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Metro Catholic Outreach, Catherine McAuley, Willis Dady, and the Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program. We also received 21 grants for direct help to people in need and 6 grants for smaller parish projects.  In addition, the director of the fund contacted us right after the flood of 2008 to ask how they could help.  They immediately sent us $100,000 which we shared with the most impacted area parishes to help replace appliances for parishioners with flooded homes.   This relationship has been a true blessing from God.
 
We are pleased to announce our organization has qualified for a $15,000 matching fund campaign made possible by the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation. JBDF will match all donations made online through December 31, 2024.  This campaign is an excellent opportunity for us to earn additional funds to support those in need throughout our community.  Last year alone, our parish assisted over 45 agencies.
 
Campaign information:

• The maximum match is $15K.
• Donations must be made online; donations made by check or in cash will not count toward the match.
• Donations must be made by individuals (not corporations).
• The match is capped at $500 per transaction, but an individual can make unlimited transactions.
• Employee donations are not eligible to be matched (but donations from board members and volunteers are eligible).

 
As Thanksgiving approaches, the Social Justice and Outreach Commission (SJO) is very grateful to all St. Pius parishioners for their unending support.  Whether you volunteer or share your treasure with those in need, we could not do it without you.   Questions should be directed to [email protected].
 

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