What we do...
Much of our day-to-day work involves researching organizations that are making a difference in communities in the U.S. Understanding the issues that affect children, families, and our community is essential in order for Singing for Change to act as an effective steward and partner to our friends in the nonprofit sector. We enjoy building relationships with these inspiring people and make it a point to familiarize ourselves with their achievements and challenges. It's a pleasure to work alongside some of the most innovative, talented, hardworking people in the world.
Singing for Change funds organizations that inspire personal growth, community integration and the enhanced awareness that collectively, people can bring about positive change. We believe people can achieve sustainable self-sufficiency through vibrant, diverse communities. We focus our resources on inclusive, grassroots organizations.
We support nonprofit organizations, large and small, that provide compelling opportunities for individuals to discover their power to make a difference. The foundation promotes work on the forefront of social change - helping people and communities become smarter, safer, stronger, healthier, and whole.
Specifically, we look for groups that are:
- working to engage individuals in their communities,
- helping people realize their full potential and become self-sufficient, and
- creating lasting change in the communities they serve.
Our Grantees
Singing for Change funds organizations that inspire personal growth, community integration and the enhanced awareness that collectively, people can bring about positive change.
We believe people can achieve sustainable self-sufficiency when they live in vibrant, diverse communities. We focus our resources on inclusive, grassroots organizations that rely strongly on volunteer efforts, where foundation support makes a significant difference.
Most likely to be considered are organizations that keep their overhead low and collaborate with other groups in their community to find innovative ways of solving a common problem.
For the past 23 years, Singing for Change (SFC) has partnered with progressive, community-based organizations addressing the root causes of social or environmental problems. We recently narrowed our focus to projects designed to promote self-sufficiency in communities where people are experiencing poverty.
Specifically, We Look For Groups That Are:
- Working to engage individuals in their communities,
- Helping people realize their full potential and become self-sufficient, and
- Creating lasting change in the communities they serve.
Opportunity – Collaboration – Positive change…
We support nonprofit organizations, large and small, that provide compelling opportunities for individuals to discover their power to make a difference.
Working in specific issue areas enables us to link grantees in one part of the country with those working elsewhere for their mutual benefit and inspiration. We try to be mindful of community leaders’ sense of funding needs and their visions for innovation.
What do we mean by the term "social change" and how does it compare to "social service?" Social change addresses the root causes of problems; social service addresses the consequences of those problems. Social change addresses whole communities, systems, and institutions; social service aids and assists individuals. The foundation does not usually offer grants to support individual assistance programs. For a complete list of restrictions, please see our guidelines posted in our Grants section.
Great description of climate change curriculum by board member Sister Jane
In response to Pope Francis' environmental encyclical, "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home," Carmelite Sr. Jane Remson initiated and helped create a 252-page curriculum designed to teach the encyclical to ninth- to 12th-graders.
The curriculum, which Carmelite representatives presented Nov. 5-10 in Rome at the International Congress of Carmelite Schools, is now available in English and Spanish and includes detailed lesson plans in environmental science, humanities, social studies and theology. An accompanying study guide was also created for adults and college students.
The curriculum did not need Vatican approval, Remson said, but does have the approval of Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans.
Remson, who is based in New Orleans, developed the curriculum with the faculty of Salpointe Catholic High School, a Carmelite school in Tucson, Arizona, where the curriculum has been successfully tested and launched.
Work on the curriculum began at the time of the encyclical's publication in 2015 and was formally launched Nov. 5 in Rome. Others assisting with the curriculum included Carmelite Fr. Eduardo Agosta Scarel, a climatologist on the nongovernmental organization's governing board who has worked with Francis on climate-related issues while living in Argentina. He continues his work on climate change with the Vatican.
Additional information on the curriculum is available at https://www.laudato-si-for-all.com/ and the Carmelite NGO website, http://www.carmelitengo.org.
