Sisters Of Saint Francis Of Assisi

What Sisters Of Saint Francis Of Assisi does

The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is a Catholic religious congregation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on May 28, 1849 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by Mother Aemiliana (Otille Dirr) and Bavarian settlers — the first foundation of vowed Franciscan women in the United States. Headquartered at St. Francis Convent on the Lake Michigan shore in St. Francis, Wisconsin, the congregation operates eight wholly-owned corporate ministries spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts, including residential and vocational programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (St. Coletta of Wisconsin, St. Coletta's of Illinois, Cardinal Cushing Centers), intergenerational day care (St. Ann Center), affordable senior housing (Canticle Court, Juniper Court), special education (St. Elizabeth School), and assisted living (Franciscan Shore RCAC). Beyond the sponsored ministries, the congregation runs spiritual retreat services (Rieti Hermitage, Aisling Retreat House), the Cornerstone Gift Shop, the Cycling Without Age trishaw program, and the semi-annual Troubadour magazine.

The congregation's business model is donation- and mission-driven rather than commercial: revenue is generated from charitable giving (including planned giving, IRA rollovers, donor-advised funds, stock gifts, and giving societies), service fees at residential care and educational ministries, and ancillary earned income (gift shop, retreat rentals, enrollment cards). The 'Sharing Our Blessings' capital campaign targets $25 million over 2022-2032 to fund Sisters' health and retirement needs without diocesan support; as of the latest update, $17 million (68%) had been raised, including a $1.7 million response to a $1 million challenge match from the Molitor Foundation and We Energies Foundation. The congregation maintains global reach through the Companions in Franciscan Solidarity partnership with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, and the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis across Cameroon, Bolivia, Italy, and Austria, and operates an Associate lay-partner program active in 11 U.S. states.

Technology infrastructure is limited to standard website and digital communications tooling (lakeosfs.org, lakeosfsgiving.org, social channels on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn); the organization does not offer proprietary technology, software, or AI-enabled services. Headcount is 101-250, and governance is provided by a Leadership Team led by Director Sister Joanne Schatzlein, with Nicole Duncan and Nancy Ketchman serving as Directors of Advancement overseeing the fundraising operation.

Name

Sisters Of Saint Francis Of Assisi

Legal name

The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi

Website

https://lakeosfs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is a 501(c)(3) Catholic religious congregation founded in 1849 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operating eight corporate ministries across four U.S. states that serve seniors, persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, children, and families, funded primarily through charitable donations and service fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Human Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH), Nonprofit / Faith-Based CCRCs (HLADAEAC), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Religious congregation services
• Special education services
• Assisted living care
• Developmental disability services
• Intergenerational day care

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Francis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi operate a Catholic religious congregation headquartered at St. Francis Convent in St. Francis, Wisconsin, and sponsor eight corporate ministries that provide residential care, special education, intergenerational day care, assisted living, and affordable senior housing for individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, children, and families. The congregation also offers spiritual retreat services, prayer support, and operates a gift shop with handcrafted items made by the Sisters.

Product overview

The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi operate as a religious congregation with eight corporate ministries focused on serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors, children, and families. Their service portfolio includes residential and day care facilities (St. Coletta of Wisconsin, St. Coletta's of Illinois, Cardinal Cushing Centers), intergenerational care (St. Ann Center), affordable senior housing (Franciscan Shore, Canticle Court, Juniper Court), and special education (St. Elizabeth School). Beyond their sponsored ministries, the congregation offers spiritual retreat services (Rieti Hermitage, Aisling Retreat House), publishes the Troubadour magazine, operates the Cornerstone Gift Shop, and provides community programs such as the Cycling Without Age initiative. The organization does not offer technology products, software platforms, or AI-enabled services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• St. Coletta of Wisconsin Provides residential, day, pastoral care, and vocational programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other challenges. Founded 1904 in Jefferson, Wisconsin.
• St. Coletta's of Illinois Provides residential, educational, vocational, medical, and pastoral care programs to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded 1949 in Tinley Park, Illinois.
• St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care Intergenerational day care for children and adults at two sites in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded 1983.
• Canticle Court and Juniper Court Two separate ministries providing affordable housing and independent living for older adults in St. Francis, Wisconsin. Founded 1987 (Canticle Court) and 1994 (Juniper Court).
• St. Elizabeth School Elementary, middle and high school serving students with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded 1961.
• Cardinal Cushing Centers Provides residential, vocational, educational, day programs, and supportive care for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Braintree and Hanover, Massachusetts. Founded 1947.
• Franciscan Shore RCAC Assisted living residence (Residential Care Apartment Complex) for seniors on the grounds of St. Francis Convent along the Lake Michigan shore, open to women and men religious, lay people, and married couples of all faiths. Founded 2022.
• Cornerstone Gift Shop Gift shop offering handcrafted items created by Sisters including handwoven baskets, original paintings, honey from beehives, handmade fashion scarves, greeting cards, and religious gift items. Located off the lobby of St. Francis Convent. Open Tue-Thu 10am-3pm.
• Rieti Hermitage A studio cottage hermitage named after the Rieti Valley in Assisi, Italy, offering a quiet place for spiritual pilgrims seeking solitude and prayer. Fully equipped, wheelchair accessible, located on St. Francis Convent grounds.
• Aisling Retreat House Retreat house offering Franciscan spirituality retreats and spiritual formation programs for individuals and groups seeking spiritual renewal.
• Prayer Request Service Service where the Sisters pray for benefactors and their special intentions daily, accepting prayer requests from the public.
• Enrollment Cards and Calendars Annual calendar celebrating Franciscan values and creation beauty; healing and memorial cards for enrollment in the Franciscan Eucharistic League. Available by email, phone, or mail order.
• Sharing Our Blessings Campaign A $25 million, 10-year fundraising campaign (2022-2032) launched to ensure Sisters receive the care they have given others throughout their lives. Funds high-quality medical, social, and spiritual support services for retired Sisters. Currently at $17 million (68% of goal).

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration began with 150th anniversary celebration planning in 1999. Led to Franciscan Common Venture (1998-2018) and later Companions in Franciscan Solidarity (2019-present). Joint mission to effect systemic change and support Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis in Cameroon. Includes shared leadership meetings, exchanges, and mutual support.
• Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (FSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three U.S. congregations sharing roots with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. Participated in 150th anniversary celebration (1999) and Franciscan Common Venture partnership supporting Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis.
• Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis (TSSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership through Companions in Franciscan Solidarity including provinces in Cameroon, Rome, Bolivia, Italy (Brixen), and Austria (Hall). Sisters provide financial aid, prayer support, and listen to stories. Some TSSF Sisters minister with displaced persons in Nigeria. Regular online meetings connect participants from four continents.
• Wisconsin Bike FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for volunteer pilot training for Cycling Without Age program. The Wisconsin Bike Federation provides training certification for volunteer drivers who operate electric-assist trishaws for elderly Sisters.
• Milwaukee County Historical SocietyminorOthersHonored the Sisters with commemorative plaque at gala awards dinner for their 175-year history of service to others.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Church Residences: Large nonprofit provider of affordable senior housing, assisted living, and CCRC services nationwide. Comparable as a faith-rooted nonprofit operator of Franciscan Shore and Canticle/Juniper Court's service category.
• Covenant Living Communities: Faith-based nonprofit operator of CCRCs, assisted living, and independent living for seniors across the U.S. Comparable to the Franciscan Shore/Elizabeth Hall/Clare Circle continuum as a faith-rooted senior living operator.

Direct peers

• Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa: Midwestern Catholic women's congregation with sponsored ministries and a Motherhouse serving aging members. Closely comparable in Wisconsin/Midwest footprint, ministry breadth, and donor-driven funding model.
• Adrian Dominican Sisters: Large Catholic women's religious congregation with sponsored ministries in education, healthcare, and social services, plus a dedicated Motherhouse campus caring for aging Sisters. Directly comparable in operating model and fundraising for retirement needs.
• School Sisters of Notre Dame: A Catholic women's religious congregation with a similar mission of education, social justice, and care for aging members. Compares directly to the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi as a similarly structured religious institute operating sponsored ministries and serving retired Sisters.
• Benedictine Sisters: Catholic women's monastic congregation with similar Motherhouse-based care for aging members, sponsored healthcare/education ministries, and donor-supported retirement funding. Comparable in scale and operational structure.
• Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration: Franciscan women's congregation that is an explicit partner of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi through Companions in Franciscan Solidarity. Most directly comparable in spirituality, heritage, and joint ministry support.
• Little Sisters of the Poor: Catholic religious congregation dedicated to caring for the elderly poor through nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Directly comparable mission and reliance on donations to fund elder care.
• Felician Sisters of North America: Catholic women's religious congregation operating sponsored ministries including senior care, education, and services for the developmentally disabled — directly comparable to St. Coletta/Cardinal Cushing Centers.
• Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM): Catholic women's congregation headquartered in the Midwest with comparable ministries in education, social justice advocacy, and elder care for members. Closely comparable in scale, governance, and ministry portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100064595656646
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sisters-of-st-francis-of-assisi
• Instagraminstagram.com/sistersofstfrancisassisi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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