The Fondazione

OFM Fraternitas

A dream of universal brotherhood coming true,
day after day!

 

There are many ways to be of help to others. Fondazione OFM Fraternitas offers you to be part of a family as big as the world, where people living in the poverty are supported as brothers and sisters, the created is guarded in its integrity and the social justice defense against any form of bullying of the weakest.

This network of universal fraternity relies on those who work in the furrow traced by St. Francis of Assisi and welcomes anyone who wants to contribute to the concretization of a dream of peace and social equity.

Fondazione OFM Fraternitas ETS was established in 2020 at the behest of theOrder of Friars Minor to make the help the friars offer in the world increasingly effective.

The task of the Foundation is to match the needs reported by Franciscan communities with the help offered by all people sensitive to the Franciscan charism. Through this encounter we cultivate a more equitable, more supportive, more fraternal world every day.

The Order of Friars Minor directs the activities of Fondazione OFM Fraternitas, which enjoys the operational autonomy necessary to respond promptly and effectively to the requests for help that come from the five continents.

The guiding principles

Click to learn about the idea from which the Foundation was born

How the Foundation operates

Fondazione OFM Fraternitas ETS promotes financial support towards specific solidarity projects in aid of people living in geographical, economic or existential peripheries around the world.

Each Franciscan community submits its requests for support for projects related to specific areas: Social, Emergencies, Construction, Initial Formation, Scholarships, Order and Friars, Academic and Research Center.

Our task is to make known the projects proposed by the friars in the peripheries of the world, along with the contexts in which these projects will find expression. Through these understandings, we try to identify ways and resources with which to support approved requests for support.

Thus, the basis of our work is the goal of fostering a meeting between those in need and the generosity of anyone who cares about their fate. In this way we nurture a true network of fraternity that brings together all those who recognize themselves in the charism of St. Francis and in particular in his impulse toward those who suffer.

 

Social

In the wake of the encyclical Laudato Si’, we support interventions to help local communities, aimed at alleviating situations of structural distress but also promoting self-sufficiency.

Emergencies

Because of their presence in every corner of the world, Friars Minor are among the first to extend a hand to help communities affected by natural or political events. Let us support this valuable and effective effort.

Construction

We support the creation, necessary expansions and care of convents, houses of formation and any other structure designed to welcome and support the Franciscan charism in the world.

Initial formation

Every Franciscan community welcomes young people who want to follow the example of St. Francis. The Foundation helps those entities lacking the resources to support this effort.

Scholarships

We support friars who, intending to take their education to an academic level, lack the resources to do so. A friar with a high level of preparation is a gift to the communities to which he will return.

Order and friars

We support the conditions necessary for the very existence of Franciscan communities in the world’s poorest places.

Academic and research center

We offer our contribution to events and initiatives aimed at enhancing Franciscan spirituality and the principles behind our work.

The Order of Friars Minor

Click to learn more about who wanted the foundation

Participate in our dialogue

The main ingredient of our work is a dialogue open to all regardless of religion, culture, ethnicity, social class or gender identification.

To nurture an ongoing exchange with our supporters, we have activated various information and communication channels.

You can stay up-to-date on the Foundation’s activities and supported projects through this website, by following our social profiles and through the newsletter.

Those who wish may request to receive information in print form by signing up through the online form will receive news about current fundraising campaigns and the free semi-annual Fraternitas News.

Stay in touch with us!