Society of the Sacred Heart

What Society of the Sacred Heart does

The Society of the Sacred Heart (Religious of the Sacred Heart, RSCJ) is a Catholic women's religious congregation founded in Paris on November 21, 1800 by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, operating in the United States and Canada as the United States-Canada Province headquartered at 4120 Forest Park Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. The organization delivers its mission "to discover and reveal God's love in the heart of the world through the service of education" across four interlocking ministry lines: (1) education via the Network of 25 Sacred Heart Schools serving approximately 12,500 students pre-K through grade 12 and eight RSCJ serving at higher-education institutions including Boston College, Georgetown University, and University of San Diego; (2) spiritual formation through the Barat Spirituality Centre in Halifax, the Spiritual Ministry Center in San Diego, Sophie's Well collaborative center, the Associates program (1,330 in USC Province), four welcoming communities for young adults (Anne Montgomery House DC, Sophia House Berkeley, Heart of Oak Newton, Rebecca House White Plains), and 11 Children of Mary Sodality groups; (3) social justice through the Stuart Center for Mission in Washington DC (nearly 40 years operating), the JPIC office, the Healthy Waters environmental program across six countries, and the Duchesne Fund grant program supporting 30+ organizations serving migrants, refugees, and marginalized communities; and (4) elder care through retirement communities including Oakwood in Atherton CA (41 residents), Avila in Albany NY, Caritas in Halifax, and the newly opened Carmel Terrace in Framingham MA.

The Society operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 43-1272049) under the legal name "Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province, Inc." and is governed by Provincial Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ (appointed 2021), with international Superior General Claire Castaing, RSCJ (elected August 2024 for an eight-year term). Revenue derives primarily from charitable donations, planned giving via the Cor Unum Legacy Society, and a $10 million Giving Fund capital campaign; secondary revenue streams include modest program fees (e.g., $510-$700/month at Anne Montgomery House, $15-$30 Sodality dues) and tuition at the independently operated Network schools. The organization holds UN NGO status (DPI since 2003, ECOSOC since 2014) and is currently restructuring from 28 international provinces into 8, with the USC Province preparing to merge with Mexico and Antilles provinces into a combined province.

Underlying infrastructure consists of owned and operated facilities (retirement communities, spirituality centers, the Stuart Center conference venue, the Shrine of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne in St. Charles MO, and the Shrine of Saint John Berchmans) rather than proprietary technology platforms; the digital surface is a WordPress website (rscj.org), Vimeo-hosted video, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X). The core operating subsidiary structure includes Stuart Center for Mission, CEDC (Center for Educational Design and Communication), Barat Spirituality Centre, Spiritual Ministry Center San Diego, SacredHeartDNA young-adult ministry, Le Petit Musée, and the two shrines. International reach extends to 43 countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, with the Sacred Heart educational network spanning more than 30 countries and over 2,500 students engaged in cross-border exchange programs over 40+ years.

Name

Society of the Sacred Heart

Legal name

Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province, Inc.

Website

https://rscj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1800

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) is a Catholic women's religious congregation founded in 1800, operating the United States-Canada Province from St. Louis, Missouri to deliver Catholic education through 25 Network schools, spiritual formation through retreat centers and Associates programs, social justice advocacy via the Stuart Center, and elder care through retirement communities across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education and Social Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL), Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Catholic religious congregation
• Women religious education
• Spiritual formation programs
• Social justice ministry
• Catholic school network

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Contributions: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Donations support elderly religious care, ministry operations, and the Giving Fund which provides financing for RSCJ ministries and elder sister care.
2. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: The Cor Unum Legacy Society enables donors to direct planned gifts from their estate through wills, trusts, appreciated stock, or other assets to support elder sisters and ensure the Society's future vitality.
3. Educational Ministry Fees: Network of Sacred Heart Schools operates independently but shares the Society's educational mission. Schools charge tuition and fees for educational services provided to students.
4. The Giving Fund: A $10 million fundraising initiative providing financing to sustain RSCJ ministries and plan for elderly sisters' care. Includes naming opportunities for the Westwood Renovation Project at Oakwood Facility in Atherton, California.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Society of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic religious congregation of women religious (RSCJ) that operates ministries in education, spirituality, social justice, and elder care. Its core offerings include a network of 25 independent Catholic schools serving approximately 12,500 students, spirituality centers offering retreats and spiritual direction, young adult ministry, lay Associates programs, grant-making for marginalized communities, and retirement communities for elderly religious.

Product overview

The Society of the Sacred Heart operates a diverse portfolio of educational, spiritual, and social justice ministries rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include the Network of Sacred Heart Schools (25 member schools serving 12,500 students), spirituality centers providing retreats and spiritual direction, the Stuart Center for Mission in Washington D.C., young adult ministry through SacredHeartDNA, Associates and Children of Mary Sodality programs for lay participation, shrine and heritage sites, retirement communities for elderly religious, and grant-making through the Duchesne Fund for Ministry. The organization also publishes Heart magazine and maintains international presence through UN NGO status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Network of Sacred Heart Schools

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 Network of Sacred Heart Schools serving approximately 12,500 students annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

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

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• United Nations (DPI/ECOSOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987The international Society of the Sacred Heart has held UN NGO status since 2003 (DPI) and 2014 (ECOSOC). The NGO representative, Margarete Mwarili RSCJ, is based in New York City and serves the Sacred Heart network spanning 41 countries. Focus areas align with SDGs and include sharing information with members and contributing to international policy debate.
• Network of Sacred Heart SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of 25 Catholic independent schools in US and Canada sharing the Society's educational mission as articulated in Goals and Criteria. The Network provides trustee education, student service opportunities, and national conferences. Exchange program has engaged 2,500+ students over 40+ years.
• International Sacred Heart Schools NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchools affiliated with Society in more than 30 countries around the globe. Domestic and international exchange programs connect students across borders.
• Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAASH unites all children of the Sacred Heart in the US with 51,000+ women and men educated in Sacred Heart schools across 45 member associations in 26 states and British Columbia.
• Sophie’s WellmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative center for Sacred Heart spirituality programs staffed by core team of 3 RSCJ plus 40 spiritual companions (RSCJ, former RSCJ, Associates). Provides Busy Person's Retreats to Network schools and province office; monthly spiritual direction.
• Laudato Sí Action PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy Waters group engages with UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Laudato Sí Action Platform for integral ecology journey.
• Christian Peacemaker TeamsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnne Montgomery House community members involved in peace work through Christian Peacemaker Teams bringing peace to war-torn regions worldwide.
• Plowshares MovementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNamed for Anne Montgomery RSCJ who worked for nuclear disarmament through nonviolent protest with the Plowshares Movement.
• Stuart CentermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnne Montgomery House community members engage with Stuart Center, a ministry of the Society's USC Province focused on social justice and mission.
• Duchesne Fund Grant RecipientsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizations receiving Duchesne Fund grants include Archbishop Carroll High School DC, ARISE Adelante Texas, Assisi House St. Louis, Bethany House of Hospitality Chicago, Casa Esperanza Project Chicago, and 30+ other organizations serving marginalized communities.
• Higher Education InstitutionsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSCJ serve at Boston College, Catholic Theological Union Chicago, Georgetown University, Jesuit School of Theology Berkeley, Manhattanville University, Maryville University, University of San Diego.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Religious Sisters of Mercy of the Americas: Catholic women's religious institute founded by Catherine McAuley with strong educational and social justice ministry. Operates schools, healthcare, and social services across the Americas - directly comparable in ministry mix and demographic profile.
• Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary: Catholic women's religious congregation with similar international educational mission, operating Marymount Schools and Universities across multiple continents. Closely comparable in founding era, vow structure, and educational portfolio.
• Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM): Catholic women's religious congregation founded 1845 with strong educational and social justice ministry in North America. Operates schools, retreat centers, and social service ministries with comparable structure.
• Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur: Catholic women's religious congregation founded 1804 with explicit mission of education of the poor and justice. Operates schools and ministries across multiple countries with parallel educational ministry and social justice focus.
• Society of the Holy Child Jesus: Catholic women's religious congregation founded in 1846 with similar educational mission across multiple countries. Operates schools and ministries in North America with comparable community-led GTM and vow structure - making it one of the closest institutional peers.
• Ursuline Sisters: One of the oldest Catholic women's religious orders dedicated to education, founded 1535. Operates schools, retreat houses, and ministries across North America with similar educational focus, vow structure, and community-led model.
• Sisters of St. Joseph: Catholic women's religious congregation with strong educational and social justice mission across North America. Operates schools, hospitals, and community ministries with similar vow structure and service portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Society of Jesus (Jesuits): Largest Catholic religious order operating educational institutions globally including Boston College and Georgetown University (both Sacred Heart partners). Broader in scope but highly comparable in educational mission and Catholic identity.
• Dominican Sisters: Large Catholic religious order with extensive educational institutions including colleges, schools, and parishes. Broader scope but highly comparable educational mission and Catholic identity with similar community-led GTM.

Regional players

• Benedictine Sisters/Monks: Ancient Catholic religious tradition with strong educational heritage (Benedictine colleges, schools). Operates retreat houses, schools, and parishes with comparable community-based GTM though more monastic in orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/rscjusc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SocietyoftheSacredHeart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/society-of-the-sacred-heart
• Instagraminstagram.com/_societyofthesacredheart_
• Xx.com/rscjusc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Society of the Sacred Heart