St. John Paul II Foundation

What St. John Paul II Foundation does

St. John Paul II Foundation is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) non-profit Catholic apostolate founded on May 15, 2014, that delivers faith-integrated education and formation through three flagship initiatives. Converging Roads is a regional conference series offering CME/CNE-accredited continuing education for Catholic physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals on medical ethics, end-of-life care, and Catholic social doctrine. Together in Holiness is a marriage enrichment initiative combining an annual one-day conference series for couples in 25+ dioceses with a year-round Formation series of 7-part peer-circle programs hosted in parishes, schools, and small communities. Clergy Initiatives, comprising Shepherd's Heart (for priests and seminarians) and Servant's Heart (for deacons and their wives), provides pastoral formation conferences on preaching and family care.

The foundation's revenue model blends conference registration fees (individual tickets $35-$159, couple tickets $54-$64, exhibitor fees $105-$230), individual donations (Founders' Circle $2,500+ annual commitments and Legacy Circle monthly pledges), corporate/organizational sponsorships ($250-$4,000 per underwriting element), and annual fundraising events (the Splendor of Truth Gala and From the Heart of Texas BBQ Social). A 3-year Be Not Afraid Initiative launched in 2025 targets $850,000 to sustain the Together in Holiness Formation series with dollar-for-dollar matching up to $210,500. The Share the Mission Fund has provided 680+ scholarships and $196,750+ in parish/diocese sponsorships since 2020.

The foundation operates a relationship-driven go-to-market motion, partnering with dioceses, hospitals, and universities (notably Marquette and Creighton) to host conferences, with marketing conducted through diocesan communications, parish bulletins, Mass announcements, and bishop endorsements. It holds four registered trademarks for its initiative names and has served 14,500+ attendees at Together in Holiness conferences, 2,400+ couples in the Formation series, ~720 Converging Roads attendees annually, and 1,100+ students on scholarship since inception. The organization employs 27 staff and operates primarily as a content and event business rather than a technology company.

Name

St. John Paul II Foundation

Legal name

St. John Paul II Foundation

Website

https://forlifeandfamily.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. John Paul II Foundation is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) Catholic apostolate that delivers faith-integrated education through marriage enrichment conferences, medical ethics CME/CNE programs, and clergy formation initiatives across 25+ U.S. dioceses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education and Formation

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Catholic faith formation
• Marriage enrichment conferences
• Medical ethics education
• Clergy pastoral training
• Continuing education conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue generated from ticket sales for Together in Holiness conferences ($35-$64 per individual, $54-$64 per couple), Converging Roads medical conferences ($45-$159 per attendee), and exhibitor/vendor fees ($105-$230).
2. Individual Donations: One-time gifts, monthly Legacy Circle pledges, and annual Founders' Circle commitments ($2,500+) from individual supporters.
3. Corporate/Organizational Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from organizations underwriting specific conference elements such as lunch ($2,000-$4,000), print materials ($1,500-$3,000), and childcare ($1,000-$2,000).
4. Special Events: Annual fundraising events including the From the Heart of Texas BBQ Social and Splendor of Truth Gala that generate auction, table sponsorship, and underwriting revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The St. John Paul II Foundation is a national Catholic apostolate that delivers faith-integrated education and formation through three programs: Converging Roads (regional CME/CNE-accredited medical ethics conferences for healthcare professionals), Together in Holiness (annual one-day marriage enrichment conferences and a year-round seven-part Formation series for couples in parishes and schools), and Clergy Initiatives (Shepherd's Heart for priests/seminarians and Servant's Heart for deacons, providing pastoral formation on preaching and family life). It also runs the Dr. Mini Vettical Scholarship, Share the Mission Fund, and annual fundraising events including the Splendor of Truth Gala and From the Heart of Texas BBQ Social.

Product overview

The St. John Paul II Foundation is a national Catholic apostolate operating three interconnected initiatives focused on education and formation: (1) Converging Roads provides continuing education conferences for healthcare professionals on medical ethics; (2) Together in Holiness offers marriage enrichment through annual diocesan conferences and a year-round Formation series with peer circles; and (3) Clergy Initiatives delivers pastoral conferences including Shepherd's Heart for priests and Servant's Heart for deacons. Supporting programs include the Dr. Mini Vettical Scholarship for student attendance, the Share the Mission Fund for underserved communities, and annual fundraising events (Splendor of Truth Gala and From the Heart of Texas BBQ Social). The foundation was founded on May 15, 2014, and serves dioceses, hospitals, and universities nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shepherd's Heart: Pastoral conference series assisting priests and seminarians to grow in their appreciation of their mission to seek and serve the needs of the faithful with a joyful heart.
• Servant's Heart
• Together in Holiness
• Converging Roads

Products and services

• Converging Roads Medical Ethics Conferences A regional conference series offering CME/CNE-accredited continuing education for physicians, nurses, medical students, and other healthcare professionals, equipping them to practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession. Topics include healthcare ethics, beginning/end of life issues, and Catholic social doctrine. Available both in-person and online via livestream.
• Together in Holiness Marriage Enrichment Conferences An annual one-day marriage enrichment conference series hosted in Catholic dioceses, inspiring couples to grow together in holiness and empowering parents to form their children in the Catholic faith. Includes talks, Mass, and formation content tailored to a diocesan audience.
• Together in Holiness Formation Series A year-round marriage enrichment series where spouses gather as a community of friends (TH Circles) for a 7-part series exploring their call to holiness in marriage and family life. Includes short video presentations, peer groups, trained Host Couples, guidebook, and Spanish-language materials. Priced at $50-$150 per couple depending on diocesan/parish support.
• Shepherd's Heart Clergy Conferences A pastoral conference series assisting priests and seminarians to grow in their appreciation of their mission to seek and serve the needs of the faithful with a joyful heart. Offers two tracks: Shepherd's Heart for Life and Shepherd's Heart for the Family.
• Servant's Heart Deacon Conferences A pastoral conference series assisting deacons, diaconal candidates, and their wives to grow in appreciation of the gift of the diaconal ministry in serving all people with the witness of Jesus the servant. Offers two tracks: Servant's Heart for Life and Servant's Heart for the Family.
• Dr. Mini Vettical Scholarship A scholarship program established in honor of Dr. Mini Vettical to enable medical, nursing, and healthcare students to attend Converging Roads medical ethics conferences and receive faith-informed formation in medicine and ethics.
• Share the Mission Fund A special donor fund ensuring finances do not stand in the way of underserved and low socioeconomic communities' participation in foundation initiatives. Has provided over 680 scholarships and more than $196,750 in sponsorships to parishes and dioceses in need since 2020.
• Splendor of Truth Gala The foundation's annual fundraising gala held each November in Houston, TX, raising critical funds to invest in married couples, healthcare professionals, and clergy by providing inspiration and practical guidance for living out the Gospel.
• From the Heart of Texas BBQ Social An annual BBQ social held each April supporting the Share the Mission Fund to ensure married couples, medical/nursing students, and clergy can experience foundation initiatives regardless of ability to pay.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Clergy Initiatives attendees said the program accomplished its mission very well or exceedingly well
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marquette UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Host venue and academic partner for Converging Roads Milwaukee 2026. Located at 1442 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233.
• Diocese of NashvillecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host diocese for Together in Holiness conferences. The diocese collaborates with the foundation to provide local promotion, venues, and episcopal endorsement for marriage formation events serving the local Catholic community.
• Diocese of ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host diocese for Together in Holiness conferences. Bishop serves as official endorser and host for annual marriage enrichment events.
• Diocese of CharlottecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host diocese for Together in Holiness conferences. Partners with foundation to offer marriage formation at multiple locations within the diocese.
• Archdiocese of DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host archdiocese for Together in Holiness Troy, MI conferences. Fifth annual partnership in 2026.
• Archdiocese of San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host archdiocese for Together in Holiness Menlo Park, CA conferences. Tenth annual partnership in 2026.
• Diocese of Venice (Florida)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host diocese for Together in Holiness Fort Myers, FL conferences. Sixth annual partnership in 2026.
• Archdiocese of MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Host archdiocese for Converging Roads Milwaukee and Together in Holiness conferences. Partners with foundation and local Catholic Medical Association guild for healthcare ethics programming.
• Creighton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Academic partner for Converging Roads Omaha 2026 conference, collaborating with Archdiocese of Omaha and Fr. Edward J. Flanagan Guild of the Catholic Medical Association.
• Catholic Medical AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Professional association partnership providing local guild support for Converging Roads conferences. Includes Fr. Edward J. Flanagan Guild and Milwaukee Guild.
• The National Catholic Bioethics CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2014Provides ethics education, certification programs, and expert speakers for Converging Roads conferences. Dr. Jozef Zalot serves as Director of Education.
• Parishes (Host Venues)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 May 2014Local Catholic parishes serve as conference venues and local hosts, providing facilities for Together in Holiness conferences across multiple locations including St. Theresa Catholic Church (Sugar Land), St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (The Woodlands), Shrine of the True Cross (Dickinson), St. Catharine Catholic Church (Columbus), St. Ann Catholic Church (Charlotte), and St. Pius X Catholic Church (Greensboro).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA is the national office for diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. It is a much larger peer in the Catholic nonprofit ecosystem that competes for institutional donor and diocesan support.
• Word on Fire Catholic Ministries: Word on Fire is a larger Catholic media and evangelization nonprofit producing multimedia faith formation content. It competes for Catholic donor attention and audience reach, though it operates more broadly in media and publishing rather than conferences.
• Dynamic Catholic: Dynamic Catholic is a large Catholic nonprofit producing parish-based formation programs and Best Lent Ever / Best Advent Ever campaigns. It overlaps with the Foundation's Together in Holiness goal of integrating faith into daily family life.

Emerging players

• Catholic Healthcare Leadership Alliance: CHLA is an emerging Catholic organization supporting Catholic healthcare professionals and institutions, with overlapping mission to Converging Roads around faith-based medical practice and ethics.

Direct peers

• Couple to Couple League: Couple to Couple League is a Catholic nonprofit that delivers marriage enrichment and natural family planning education for couples, comparable to the Together in Holiness Formation series in mission and audience.
• National Catholic Bioethics Center: The NCBC is a nonprofit that provides Catholic bioethics education and certification for healthcare professionals. It is a direct content partner for Converging Roads and competes in the same niche of faith-based medical ethics formation.
• Endow Groups (Endow): Endow runs small-group Catholic formation programs for women and couples. Its subscription small-group model is closely comparable to the Together in Holiness Formation series with peer circles.
• Catholic Medical Association: The CMA is a national association of Catholic physicians that runs local guilds and education programming on Catholic medical ethics. It is both a partner and a peer in serving Catholic healthcare professionals with faith-integrated medical formation.
• Good News Ministries / Faith & Family Life Catholic Ministries: Faith & Family Life Catholic Ministries offers Catholic marriage and family enrichment retreats and conferences, directly comparable to the Together in Holiness offering.

Regional players

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): USCCB is the national body of Catholic bishops that develops and disseminates formation resources for marriage and family life. Diocesan Family Life offices (chartered under USCCB) are both partners and competitors in marriage formation programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sjp2foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/StJohnPaulIIFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-john-paul-ii-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 St. John Paul II Foundation