Franciscan Mission Service

What Franciscan Mission Service does

Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 in Washington, DC at the request of North American Franciscan friars (OFM), with Brother Anselm Moons, OFM as its founder. The organization prepares and supports lay Catholic men and women for mission service in marginalized communities abroad, operating a portfolio of formation, placement, and recognition programs. Its core offerings are the International Lay Mission Program (2–6 year placements in Bolivia, Jamaica, and the US-Mexico border with a required 13-week formation program in Washington, DC and a 3-week re-entry retreat), the DC Service Corps (an 11.5-month service leadership experience for young adults ages 21–35 placed at partner nonprofit agencies in Washington, DC), the Franciscan Mission Fellows (a year-long formation program in Franciscan spirituality), and Short-Term Mission and Global Awareness Trips. Supporting offerings include Mission Consulting, a Lifelong Mission alumni program, and annual awards (the Anselm Moons Award and the San Damiano Servant Leadership Award). Since commissioning its first class in 1990, FMS has trained and supported more than 250 men and women for service historically across 21 countries.

FMS has no proprietary technology; it is a service organization whose core assets are its formation curriculum, its community of Franciscan religious partners (OFM friars, Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, Franciscan Action Network, Secular Franciscan Order, Franciscan Service Network), and its alumni missioner network. Operational infrastructure consists of a headquarters and formation facility (Casa San Salvador) in Washington, DC, plus partner-site placements in Cochabamba, Kingston, and El Paso/Ciudad Juárez. The organization has no app, API, or AI/ML capability.

The business model is donation-based and community-led. FMS is funded primarily by individual donations, parish contributions, and foundation grants, supplemented by required missioner "support-raising" (each missioner must raise a minimum amount from friends and family before and during service). Programs are free to participants; missioners receive a modest monthly stipend, health and life insurance, and travel support underwritten by donor funding, while participants cover their own travel to discernment and formation events. Recruitment runs through parish presentations, discernment retreats, Catholic university partnerships, and word-of-mouth referrals within the Franciscan network, with applications accepted via the FMS website. Customer segments are persona-based: Catholic lay adults ages 22–70 (primary), young adult Catholics 21–35 (DC Service Corps), college/university groups (short-term trips), and lay adults seeking Franciscan formation (Fellows). Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Franciscan Mission Service

Legal name

Franciscan Mission Service

Website

https://franciscanmissionservice.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Franciscan Mission Service is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 in Washington, DC that prepares and supports lay Catholic men and women for 2–6 year mission service in Bolivia, Jamaica, and the US-Mexico border, alongside an 11-month domestic DC Service Corps program, formation fellowships, and short-term immersion trips.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Mission Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Lay mission formation
• Catholic missionary programs
• International volunteer service
• Faith-based formation
• Humanitarian mission training

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) organization, FMS relies primarily on donations from individuals, parishes, and foundations. The organization celebrates its 35th anniversary with fundraising campaigns.
2. Missioner Support Raising: Missioners are required to engage in fundraising to meet a minimum support-raising goal. FMS provides tools and training for this support-raising ministry. Friends and family can accompany missioners through financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Franciscan Mission Service prepares and supports lay Catholics for mission service among marginalized communities through long-term international mission placements, domestic service corps experiences, structured formation programs, and short-term mission and global awareness trips. It also provides mission consulting to parishes and Catholic organizations and maintains a lifelong mission program for alumni engagement and discernment.

Product overview

Franciscan Mission Service is a Catholic lay mission organization offering service programs rooted in Franciscan spirituality. Its core offerings include the International Lay Mission Program (2-6 year overseas placements in Bolivia, Jamaica, and US-Mexico border), the DC Service Corps (11.5-month domestic service program for young adults), and the Franciscan Mission Fellows (year-long formation program). Supporting programs include Short-Term Mission Trips, Mission Consulting services, and the Lifelong Mission program for returned missioners alumni. Recognition programs include the Anselm Moons Award and San Damiano Servant Leadership Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Lay Mission Program Long-term international mission placement program that prepares, sends, and supports lay Catholic missioners to serve among marginalized communities in partner countries. Designed for individual lay Catholics discerning a vocation to mission service.
• DC Service Corps Domestic year-of-service program based in Washington, DC that combines intentional community living, direct service with marginalized populations, and spiritual formation for lay Catholic adults.
• Franciscan Mission Fellows Formation fellowship program for lay Catholics that provides structured human, spiritual, and cultural preparation for mission service.
• Short-Term Mission and Global Awareness Trips Short-term, group-based mission and global awareness experiences for parishes, schools, universities, and Catholic organizations. Designed to deepen missionary discipleship and global awareness.
• Mission Consulting Consulting service for Catholic parishes, dioceses, and Catholic organizations to design, animate, or accompany mission initiatives and formation experiences.
• Lifelong Mission Program Ongoing formation, community, and discernment support for alumni of FMS mission and formation programs, extending engagement beyond initial mission placement.

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Father McKenna CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2016The Fr. McKenna Center, founded in 1983, provides support to men struggling with homelessness and families experiencing food insecurity in Ward 6, Washington DC. FMS DC Service Corps partnership began in 2016 when the Center welcomed its first volunteer from the newly-established DCSC program.
• Franciscan Sisters of AlleganycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015FMS has served in partnership with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in Kingston, Jamaica since 2015. The Sisters have been present since 1857 and founded several Catholic schools. FMS missioners live with the Sisters at Immaculate Conception Convent and work alongside them in Allegany schools. The partnership celebrated 10 years in 2024.
• Little Friends for PeacecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2015Little Friends for Peace (LFFP), founded by MJ and Jerry Park in 1981, is a nonprofit dedicated to teaching individuals to live nonviolently. FMS formal partnership began in 2015 as one of the first DCSC site partners. DCSC volunteers at LFFP learn to promote peace and nonviolence.
• Franciscan friars (OFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMS was founded in 1985 at the request of North American Franciscan friars (OFM). Local Franciscan friars in Cochabamba, Bolivia partner with FMS missioners. In October 2024, FMS relocated Border mission site to El Paso in conjunction with OFM friars' relocation.
• Christ HousecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChrist House is a respite care facility for men experiencing homelessness in Washington DC. DC Service Corps volunteers serve as Case Management Assistants and Clinical Services Assistants, accompanying patients and advocating for their benefits.
• Don Bosco Cristo Rey High SchoolminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDC Service Corps volunteers serve as Corporate Work Study Program Assistants, accompanying high school students in developing leadership and professional development skills through an innovative work-study program.
• Franciscan Action NetworkminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFranciscan Action Network is a U.S.-based Franciscan effort for justice, peace, and integrity of creation. DCSC volunteers assist with advocacy efforts on issues including racial justice, climate, migration, democracy and voting rights, and economic justice.
• United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUNHCR is an international organization providing protection and assistance to refugees. FMS has partnered with UNHCR for DC Service Corps volunteers to work as Protection Counselors, empowering asylum seekers and connecting them to NGOs for pro bono legal assistance.
• Franciscans InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranciscans International is an NGO providing a Franciscan voice at the United Nations addressing human rights injustices affecting the marginalized. Priority areas include extreme poverty, environment, and peace-building. Missioners in Bolivia collaborate with leaders from Bolivian religious orders.
• Franciscan Service NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMS is affiliated with the Franciscan Service Network, an association of Franciscan organizations. They collaborated on developing 'A Lenten Journey: Reflections on the Scriptural Stations of the Cross' spiritual resource.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lasallian Volunteers: Catholic volunteer program placing young adults in year-long service at Lasallian ministries; closely parallels FMS DC Service Corps in age cohort, religious-community affiliation, and formation structure.
• Catholic Volunteer Network: National federation of faith-based lay mission and volunteer programs; many member organizations compete directly with FMS for the same young-adult Catholic service candidates.
• Vincentian Volunteers: Faith-based volunteer program rooted in Vincentian spirituality placing young adults in service with people experiencing poverty; comparable in religious-community foundation and domestic service placement.
• Maryknoll Lay Missioners: Catholic lay mission organization sending missioners overseas for multi-year service in marginalized communities; directly comparable to FMS's International Lay Mission Program in scope, duration, and Catholic identity.
• Holy Cross Associates: Catholic lay mission program affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross offering formation and multi-year service placements; comparable in faith-based formation and domestic/international placement model.
• Jesuit Volunteer Corps: Catholic lay volunteer organization placing young adults in full-time service domestically and internationally with Jesuit values; comparable to FMS's DC Service Corps in mission model, age demographic, and nonprofit sector.
• Mercy Volunteer Corps: Catholic lay volunteer program placing young adults in year-long domestic and international service with Sisters of Mercy; closely comparable to FMS's DC Service Corps and formation-based approach.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Relief Services: Large USCCB-affiliated international Catholic humanitarian agency; operates on a much larger scale than FMS but shares Catholic identity and a focus on poor and marginalized communities globally.
• Society of Missionaries of Africa: Established Catholic missionary society with international placement of religious and lay people in Africa and beyond; broader and older institution than FMS but operates in the same faith-based international mission category.

Emerging players

• Appalachia Volunteer Corps: Emerging faith-informed lay volunteer program focused on year-long domestic service in underserved Appalachian communities; partial overlap with FMS in faith-rooted, formation-driven service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franciscan-mission-service

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Franciscan Mission Service